I have been using Brainstorm with MATLAB R2022b for MEG data analysis. Unfortunately, due to an issue with the MATLAB license server, I am currently unable to use MATLAB, so I am considering temporarily switching to the standalone version of Brainstorm.
Before doing so, I would like to ask whether the standalone version can directly open and use an existing database created with the MATLAB-based version.
I am also wondering whether opening the database in the standalone version could automatically modify or update any files or metadata, potentially affecting compatibility with the MATLAB-based version. Ideally, I would like to be able to switch back to the MATLAB-based version once the license server becomes available again.
I searched the forum for similar questions, but I could not find a discussion specifically addressing database compatibility between the MATLAB-based and standalone versions. I apologize if this has already been answered elsewhere and I happened to overlook it.
I would really appreciate any advice or suggestions.
Yes, the database created with Source and Standalone distributions of Brainstorm are 100% compatible, as they are the same.
On September-2025 there was an update in the Brainstorm DB format. Thus, if your Source Brainstorm version newer than Sep-2025 its database is the same format as with the current version of the Standalone Brainstorm.
Is you Source Brainstorm version newer than Sep-2025
No changes are performed automatically.
If you Source Brainstorm versions is newer than Sep-2025, there is nothing to do.
If you Source Brainstorm versions is older than Sep-2025, you will get a message asking to conform the database format update, the update is minimal and can be performed without any further issue. Check this post: