SCID, ChessDB and ChessX

I am looking for a free yet powerful chess database software. Has anyone had some experience with these pieces of software and can give a recommendation?

I have Chessbase lite at the moment and love it, however I cant add new UCI engines, cant save databases and cant make my own opening repertoire unless I buy the premium version. Do any of these software compare?

Thanks Guys!

SCID is the most common free substitute for Chessbase/ChessAssistant.  ChessDB is a fork of SCID, but hasn't been updated since 2007.  ChessX was updated recently and looks useable.  If you are just looking for something simple, you could try Chesspad.

Thanx for the comment. I cant say I had even heard of Chesspad. I will go and give it a look. 

have you tried Chess Position Trainer?  I've used it before to build my opening repertoire.  Excellent application.

I did try it once. 

I think i found it a little difficult to use at times. However I am waiting for CPT 4.0 to come out. The screenshots look great.

W00t! CPT 4.0 coming out? I thought the guy didn't update it anymore.

i suggest fritz 11 or 12 and chessmaster. they are really good!

Chess Position Trainer 4 is a little behind schedule, but the author released a technical preview already, and has been updating his blog.  Fritz and Chessmaster are not free.  If you are going to spend money on a database though, you should probably look into Chessbase Light Premium 2009.  It has a wider range of features, and is perhaps a bit easier to use than SCID.

I have been debating getting Chessbase premium. I have Chessmaster XI and Fritz 12 is in the post. So I think I need to wait a little while before I spend more money on chess software.

What is Fritz 12 like for its database capabilities?

Fritz was intended more as a program to play against than a database, but if you are just starting out, it may be enough.  It can read and write pgn, cbh and ctg opening books, and can help you scroll to find particular games.

I think for now Fritz should be okay. What are the major differences between Fritz and Chessbase?

http://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/what-can-chessbase-9-do-that-fritz-12-cannot?lc=1#last_comment

I worked with Fritz 11 and I really liked, but I will try and Chessmaster.

Andreea, Otopeni

SCID is a very fine tool. I have SCID and CB10 on my laptop. SCID is much faster and from my point of view it's also easier to use. But that's because i have much more experience with SCID.

Also important is to have a good database. The chessbase mega is very fine but expensive. With SCID you could start with the "million base" from http://www.top-5000.nl/pgn.htm . The base has all the material from http://www.chess.co.uk/twic/twic (until #719 i think). If you add all the following TWICs (one new each week) you'll have an actual and quite good database for free.