SMAPI vs Everest

SMAPI8.9Visit Everest8.6Visit

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

vs

Everest #5 in Game Mod Loaders 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit Everest

• SMAPI fits best

  Stardew Valley modding

• Everest fits best

  Celeste players and mod creators

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Side by side

Feature	SMAPI 8.9/10 Visit ↗	Everest 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.9	8.6
Ranking	#3 in Game Mod Loaders	#5 in Game Mod Loaders
Best for	Stardew Valley modding	Celeste players and mod creators
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop, Mobile	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android	Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Community, Docs	Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business
Features SMAPI 4/4 · Everest 2/4
Plugin support	✓	✓
Load-order control	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Mod profiles	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Dependency handling	✓	✓
Specs
Supported games	Stardew Valley	Celeste
Supported platforms	Linux, macOS, Windows, Steam Deck, Android	Windows, macOS, Linux
Mod loading method	Plugin	Injection
Our review
Pros	Free and open source with plugin and API support Compatibility checks, update detection, and mod diagnostics Save backups, profiles, load-order control, and dependencies	Supports custom maps, campaigns, graphics, audio, dialogue, and code mods Works with Celeste on Windows, macOS, and Linux Includes dependency downloads, updating, debugging, and vanilla switching
Cons	Supports Stardew Valley rather than multiple games Android installation follows separate guidance Its feature set is focused on mod loading and related tooling	Focused on Celeste rather than multiple games Uses a separate Olympus installer for cross-platform installation Does not provide AI features
Our verdict	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 →	Everest is an open-source mod loader and modding API for Celeste. It is aimed at players who want custom maps, campaigns, graphics, audio, dialogue, and code mods, as well as creators who need tools for developing and debugging mods.… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• 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

• Everest — where it wins

  • Supports custom maps, campaigns, graphics, audio, dialogue, and code mods
  • Works with Celeste on Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Includes dependency downloads, updating, debugging, and vanilla switching

  Where it doesn't

  • Focused on Celeste rather than multiple games
  • Uses a separate Olympus installer for cross-platform installation
  • Does not provide AI features

• SMAPI8.9/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit SMAPIFull verdict →
• Everest8.6/10 · Free plan

  A free, open-source Celeste mod loader with broad content support and developer tools.

  Visit EverestFull verdict →