BepInEx vs SMAPI

BBepInEx9.2Visit SMAPI8.9Visit

Higher score B BepInEx #2 in Game Mod Loaders 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit BepInEx

vs

SMAPI #3 in Game Mod Loaders 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit SMAPI

• BepInEx fits best

  Multi-framework game modding

• SMAPI fits best

  Stardew Valley modding

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Side by side

Feature	BBepInEx 9.2/10 Visit ↗	SMAPI 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	8.9
Ranking	#2 in Game Mod Loaders	#3 in Game Mod Loaders
Best for	Multi-framework game modding	Stardew Valley modding
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Support	Community, Docs	Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features BepInEx 3/4 · SMAPI 4/4
Plugin support	✓	✓
Load-order control	✓	✓
Mod profiles	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Dependency handling	✓	✓
Specs
Supported games	Not checked yet	Stardew Valley
Supported platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Linux, macOS, Windows, Steam Deck, Android
Mod loading method	Injection	Plugin
Our review
Pros	Supports Unity Mono, IL2CPP, .NET, XNA, FNA, and MonoGame Combines plugin loading, Harmony patching, configuration, and logging Dependency-aware ordering helps manage plugin load sequences	Free and open source with plugin and API support Compatibility checks, update detection, and mod diagnostics Save backups, profiles, load-order control, and dependencies
Cons	Injection-based loading depends on compatible desktop game installations Unity Mono has stable releases, while broader framework coverage varies No built-in AI features	Supports Stardew Valley rather than multiple games Android installation follows separate guidance Its feature set is focused on mod loading and related tooling
Our verdict	BepInEx is an open-source framework for loading plugins and modifying desktop games built with Unity Mono, Unity IL2CPP, .NET, XNA, FNA, and MonoGame technologies. It is aimed at game mod developers and players installing supported plugins… Read the review →	SMAPI is an open-source mod loader and API for Stardew Valley, intended for players and mod creators. It launches the game with mod support, loads code mods and content packs, and provides APIs and events for plugins. Support covers… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• BepInEx — where it wins

  • Supports Unity Mono, IL2CPP, .NET, XNA, FNA, and MonoGame
  • Combines plugin loading, Harmony patching, configuration, and logging
  • Dependency-aware ordering helps manage plugin load sequences

  Where it doesn't

  • Injection-based loading depends on compatible desktop game installations
  • Unity Mono has stable releases, while broader framework coverage varies
  • No built-in AI features

• SMAPI — where it wins

  • Free and open source with plugin and API support
  • Compatibility checks, update detection, and mod diagnostics
  • Save backups, profiles, load-order control, and dependencies

  Where it doesn't

  • Supports Stardew Valley rather than multiple games
  • Android installation follows separate guidance
  • Its feature set is focused on mod loading and related tooling

• BBepInEx9.2/10 · Free plan

  A free, open-source loader for multi-framework desktop game modding.

  Visit BepInExFull verdict →
• SMAPI8.9/10 · Free plan

  A capable, free loader for Stardew Valley mods, diagnostics, dependencies, and save backups.

  Visit SMAPIFull verdict →