MelonLoader vs SMAPI

MMelonLoader9.4Visit SMAPI8.9Visit

Higher score M MelonLoader #1 in Game Mod Loaders 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit MelonLoader

vs

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

• MelonLoader fits best

  Broad Unity mod loading

• SMAPI fits best

  Stardew Valley modding

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature	MMelonLoader 9.4/10 Visit ↗	SMAPI 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	8.9
Ranking	#1 in Game Mod Loaders	#3 in Game Mod Loaders
Best for	Broad Unity mod loading	Stardew Valley modding
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop, Self-hosted	Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Windows, Linux, macOS, Android	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Support	Community, Docs	Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features MelonLoader 3/4 · SMAPI 4/4
Plugin support	✓	✓
Load-order control	✓	✓
Mod profiles	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Dependency handling	✓	✓
Specs
Supported games	Unity games using Mono or Il2Cpp	Stardew Valley
Supported platforms	Windows, Linux (WINE/Steam Proton/native), macOS, Android and Oculus Quest (WIP)	Linux, macOS, Windows, Steam Deck, Android
Mod loading method	Injection	Plugin
Our review
Pros	Supports Unity Mono and Il2Cpp games Offers plugin loading, dependencies, and load ordering Runs on Windows, Linux, macOS, and Android	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	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	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	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 →	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

• 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

• 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

• MMelonLoader9.4/10 · Free plan

  A flexible Unity mod loader with plugins, dependencies, debugging, and cross-platform support.

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

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

  Visit SMAPIFull verdict →