BKchem is a chemical drawing program written in Python
Publisher’s description
What is BKChem?
BKChem is an open-source drawing & design program for Windows from Reinis Danne.
Installation and requirements
Official installers exist for 32-bit as EXE (Inno Setup). The main installer is 6.8 MB. Installation asks for administrator rights. It needs Windows 10 or newer. The installer supports unattended (silent) installation.
Updates and version history
The current version is 0.14.0-pre2, released on July 14, 2021. 2 versions are listed since June 7, 2021, each with links to its own installer files. The last update is more than a year old.
Pros / Cons
Pros
- Open source: the code can be inspected and built by anyone
- Documented silent install
- Small download (6.8 MB)
Cons
- No native ARM64 build
- 32-bit only
- Installation needs administrator rights
- No update for more than a year
In short: BKChem is an open-source drawing & design tool for 32-bit PCs. Updates have slowed down. Administrators can deploy it unattended.
Is BKChem safe to download?
- The file is served by bkchem.zirael.org, the publisher’s own domain
- The download link uses HTTPS
- A SHA256 hash is published, so you can verify the file:
D93E5E7A093E77A65182D4C9736B6FA362BDEB4A5D6A7860602E6D98E09B66B1· Open the VirusTotal report for this hash - The link answered when we last checked it (October 22, 2026)
- The source code is public
- ExeAtlas does not host, wrap or modify installers
Related guide: How to check a file’s SHA256 hash on Windows
Recent versions
All 2 versions ›| Version | Date | Size | Files |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.14.0-pre2Latest | July 14, 2021 | 6.8 MB | 32-bit EXE (Inno Setup) |
| 0.13.0 | June 7, 2021 | — | 32-bit EXE (Inno Setup) |
Install from the command line
Silent install ›winget install --id BedaKosata.BKChem -escoop install extras/bkchembkchem-0.14.0-pre2.exe /VERYSILENT /SUPPRESSMSGBOXES /NORESTART /SP-Related guide: How to use winget: install and update apps
Information
- Publisher
- Reinis Danne
- Category
- Drawing & design
- Licence
- GNU General Public License, Version 2
- Price
- Free
- Requires
- Windows 11 / 10 (Windows 10+)
- Architecture
- 32-bit
- Installer
- EXE (Inno Setup)
- Version
- 0.14.0-pre2
- Released
- July 14, 2021
- Added to the catalogue
- June 7, 2021
- Versions listed
- 2
- Website
- bkchem.zirael.org
- winget ID
- BedaKosata.BKChem
- Scoop package
- extras/bkchem
Ratings and reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to rate it.
Alternatives to BKChem
See all ›-
Open source999.8K ↓ -
Inkscape1.4.4A professional vector graphics software which runs on Linux, macOS and Windows desktop computers.Open source2.8M ↓ -
LibreCAD2.2.1.6LibreCAD is a cross-platform 2D CAD program written in C++11 using the Qt framework. It can read DXF and DWG files and can write DXF, PDF and SVG files. The user interface is highly customizable, and has dozens of translations.Open source45.1K ↓ -
Other licence2.7M ↓ -
MyPaint2.0.1.g478280f2-1MyPaint is a simple drawing and painting program that works well with Wacom-style graphics tablets.Open source6.2K ↓ -
KritaShellExtension1.2.4An optional add-on for Windows that allows KRA thumbnails to appear in your file browser.Open source341.8K ↓ -
Proprietary248K ↓ -
Synfig Studio1.5.3A free and open-source 2D animation software, designed as powerful industrial-strength solution for creating film-quality animation using a vector and bitmap artwork.Open source18.3K ↓
Frequently asked questions
Is BKChem free?
Yes. BKChem is open-source software under the GNU General Public License, Version 2 licence.
Is BKChem safe to download?
The download comes from bkchem.zirael.org, which belongs to the publisher; ExeAtlas does not host or change the file. Compare its SHA256 hash with the one shown here, or open the VirusTotal report for that hash.
How do I install BKChem with winget?
Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal and run the winget command shown on this page. winget downloads the official installer and checks its SHA256 hash before running it.
Can BKChem be installed silently?
Yes. The silent install page lists the exact command for each installer.
Which Windows versions does BKChem support?
The installer requires Windows 10 or newer and is available for 32-bit.
Does BKChem run on ARM (Windows on Arm)?
There is no ARM64 build; Windows 11 on Arm can run the 32-bit version through emulation.
Where can I download an older version of BKChem?
The versions page lists all 2 versions with links to their official installer files, back to June 7, 2021.
What are alternatives to BKChem?
draw.io, Inkscape, LibreCAD, Graphviz and MyPaint. The alternatives page compares them.
