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Head-to-head · Game Mod Loaders

MelonLoader vs BepInEx

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score MelonLoader #1 in Game Mod Loaders 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit MelonLoader
BepInEx #2 in Game Mod Loaders 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit BepInEx

MelonLoader leads on 0 checks, BepInEx on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreMelonLoader · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth

MelonLoader scores higher on our rubric for game mod loaders: 9.4 against 9.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #2.

MelonLoader is the better fit for broad Unity mod loading. BepInEx is the better fit for multi-framework game modding.

  • MelonLoader fits best

    Broad Unity mod loading

  • BepInEx fits best

    Multi-framework game modding

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Side by side

Feature MelonLoader 9.4/10 Visit ↗ BepInEx 9.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 9.2
Ranking #1 in Game Mod Loaders #2 in Game Mod Loaders
Best for Broad Unity mod loading Multi-framework game modding
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop, Self-hosted Desktop
Platforms Windows, Linux, macOS, Android Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Community, Docs Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features MelonLoader 3/4 · BepInEx 3/4
Plugin support ✓ ✓
Load-order control ✓ ✓
Mod profiles Not checked yet Not checked yet
Dependency handling ✓ ✓
Specs
Supported games Unity games using Mono or Il2Cpp Not checked yet
Supported platforms Windows, Linux (WINE/Steam Proton/native), macOS, Android and Oculus Quest (WIP) Windows, macOS, Linux
Mod loading method Injection Injection
Our review
Pros
  • Supports Unity Mono and Il2Cpp games
  • Offers plugin loading, dependencies, and load ordering
  • Runs on Windows, Linux, macOS, and Android
  • 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
Cons
  • Android and Oculus Quest support is work in progress
  • Requires game-installation folder and loader setup
  • Focused on Unity games rather than broader game engines
  • Injection-based loading depends on compatible desktop game installations
  • Unity Mono has stable releases, while broader framework coverage varies
  • No built-in AI features
Our verdict

MelonLoader is an open-source mod loader for Unity games built with Mono or Il2Cpp. It is designed for game modders and plugin developers who need to load mods from a game's installation directory, manage plugins, and control how…

Read the review →

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 →
  1. MelonLoaderGame Mod Loaders 9.4Free plan
  2. BepInExGame Mod Loaders 9.2Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • MelonLoader — where it wins

    • Supports Unity Mono and Il2Cpp games
    • Offers plugin loading, dependencies, and load ordering
    • Runs on Windows, Linux, macOS, and Android

    Where it doesn't

    • Android and Oculus Quest support is work in progress
    • Requires game-installation folder and loader setup
    • Focused on Unity games rather than broader game engines

  • 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

More comparisons

All game mod loaders comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update