Best Hollow Knight Modding API Alternatives in 2026
The top Hollow Knight Modding API alternatives are MelonLoader, BepInEx and SMAPI: 15 game mod loaders our editors would look at instead of Hollow Knight Modding API, in our ranking order.
Hollow Knight Modding API: A focused Hollow Knight loader with patching, hooks, settings, and load-order controls. Where it falls short: its supported-game scope is limited to hollow knight..
Switching from Hollow Knight Modding API? For most game mod loaders buyers the best Hollow Knight Modding API alternative is MelonLoader, built for broad Unity mod loading.
Why People Look for a Hollow Knight Modding API Alternative
- Its supported-game scope is limited to Hollow Knight
- The API is tied to specific Hollow Knight game versions
- Injection-based loading may not suit every modding workflow
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallMelonLoader9.4
Broad Unity mod loading
Visit MelonLoader - Best free optionMelonLoader9.4
Has a free plan
Visit MelonLoader
All 15 Hollow Knight Modding API Alternatives, Ranked
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.
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Best forBroad Unity mod loading
- Better than Hollow Knight Modding API:
- Editor score 9.4 vs 6.5
A flexible Unity mod loader with plugins, dependencies, debugging, and cross-platform support.
- Load-order control
- Dependency handling
- Plugin support
9.4/10★★★★★Visit MelonLoader -
Best forMulti-framework game modding
- Better than Hollow Knight Modding API:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 6.5
A free, open-source loader for multi-framework desktop game modding.
- Load-order control
- Dependency handling
- Plugin support
9.2/10★★★★★Visit BepInEx -
Best forStardew Valley modding
- Better than Hollow Knight Modding API:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 6.5
A capable, free loader for Stardew Valley mods, diagnostics, dependencies, and save backups.
- Mod profiles
- Load-order control
- Dependency handling
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit SMAPI -
Best forTitanfall 2 modding and custom servers
- Better than Hollow Knight Modding API:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 6.5
A focused, free loader for Titanfall 2 mods, plugins, profiles, and custom servers.
- Mod profiles
- Load-order control
- Dependency handling
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit R2Northstar -
Best forCeleste players and mod creators
- Better than Hollow Knight Modding API:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 6.5
A free, open-source Celeste mod loader with broad content support and developer tools.
- Dependency handling
- Plugin support
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Everest -
Best forUnreal Engine game modding
- Better than Hollow Knight Modding API:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 6.5
A deep Unreal Engine mod loader for Windows modders and developers.
- Load-order control
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit UE4SS -
Best forSatisfactory mod development
- Better than Hollow Knight Modding API:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 6.5
A free, developer-focused framework for building and loading Satisfactory mods.
- Dependency handling
- Plugin support
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forAdvanced Morrowind scripting
- Better than Hollow Knight Modding API:
- Editor score 8.1 vs 6.5
A free, open-source scripting extension for advanced Morrowind mod development.
- Load-order control
- Dependency handling
- Plugin support
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit MWSE -
Best forHades II modding with profiles
- Better than Hollow Knight Modding API:
- Editor score 8.0 vs 6.5
A free, open-source Hades II loader with profiles and broad mod-manager support.
- Mod profiles
- Plugin support
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Hell2Modding -
Best forBattleTech mod organization
- Better than Hollow Knight Modding API:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 6.5
A focused BattleTech loader with manifests, dependency handling, and load-order control.
- Load-order control
- Dependency handling
- Plugin support
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit ModTek -
Best forModding Hades and related games
- Better than Hollow Knight Modding API:
- Editor score 7.8 vs 6.5
A capable, free loader for Supergiant game mods, with backups and load-order control.
- Load-order control
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit SGG-Modding -
Best forFallout 4 mod development
- Better than Hollow Knight Modding API:
- Editor score 7.7 vs 6.5
A free Windows loader and API toolkit for advanced Fallout 4 mod scripting.
- Plugin support
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit F4SE -
Best forCyberpunk 2077 gameplay tweaking
- Better than Hollow Knight Modding API:
- Editor score 7.6 vs 6.5
A focused, free framework for scripting and tuning Cyberpunk 2077.
- Plugin support
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forGTA V .NET scripting
- Better than Hollow Knight Modding API:
- Editor score 7.4 vs 6.5
A free, open-source Windows runtime for GTA V .NET scripting.
- Plugin support
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forBaldur's Gate 3 scripting
- Better than Hollow Knight Modding API:
- Editor score 7.3 vs 6.5
A focused, free script extender for Baldur's Gate 3 mod authors.
7.3/10★★★★☆View the project
Hollow Knight Modding API Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Hollow Knight Modding API?
MelonLoader: #1 in our Game Mod Loaders ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A flexible Unity mod loader with plugins, dependencies, debugging, and cross-platform support.
Is there a free alternative to Hollow Knight Modding API?
Yes. MelonLoader, BepInEx, SMAPI, Northstar and Everest have a free plan or a free tier (15 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for Hollow Knight Modding API alternatives?
Its supported-game scope is limited to Hollow Knight; The API is tied to specific Hollow Knight game versions; Injection-based loading may not suit every modding workflow.
How do I switch from Hollow Knight Modding API?
Back up your world, configs and mods from Hollow Knight Modding API's panel, or download the server folder over SFTP. Create the server on the new host with the same game version (and the same modpack or loader, if you use one). Upload the world and config files, start the server once and check that the mods and plugins load. Share the new address with your players or point your domain at it, then cancel Hollow Knight Modding API after a test session.
How to Switch from Hollow Knight Modding API
- Back up your world, configs and mods from Hollow Knight Modding API's panel, or download the server folder over SFTP.
- Create the server on the new host with the same game version (and the same modpack or loader, if you use one).
- Upload the world and config files, start the server once and check that the mods and plugins load.
- Share the new address with your players or point your domain at it, then cancel Hollow Knight Modding API after a test session.
Hollow Knight Modding API vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Paid from | Supported games | Supported platforms | Mod loading method | Load-order control | Dependency handling | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | Hollow Knight Modding API | Free | Hollow Knight | Windows, Linux, macOS | Injection | Yes | 6.5 | |
| 1 | MelonLoader | Free | Unity games using Mono or Il2Cpp | Windows, Linux (WINE/Steam Proton/native), macOS, Android and Oculus Quest (WIP) | Injection | Yes | Yes | 9.4 |
| 2 | BepInEx | Free | Windows, macOS, Linux | Injection | Yes | Yes | 9.2 | |
| 3 | SMAPI | Free | Stardew Valley | Linux, macOS, Windows, Steam Deck, Android | Plugin | Yes | Yes | 8.9 |
| 4 | Northstar | Free | Titanfall 2 | Windows; Linux | Injection | Yes | Yes | 8.7 |
| 5 | Everest | Free | Celeste | Windows, macOS, Linux | Injection | Yes | 8.6 | |
| 6 | UE4SS | Free | Windows | Injection | Yes | 8.4 | ||
| 7 | Satisfactory Mod Loader | Free | Satisfactory | Windows, Linux | Plugin | Yes | 8.3 | |
| 8 | MWSE | Free | The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind | Windows; Linux via Wine | Script | Yes | Yes | 8.1 |
| 9 | Hell2Modding | Free | Hades II | Windows; Steam Deck through Proton | Injection | 8.0 | ||
| 10 | ModTek | Free | BattleTech | Windows, Linux, macOS | Injection | Yes | Yes | 7.9 |
| 11 | Hades Mod Importer | Free | Bastion, Transistor, Pyre, Hades, Hades II | Windows, macOS | Script | Yes | 7.8 | |
| 12 | Fallout 4 Script Extender (F4SE) | Free | Fallout 4 | Windows | Injection | 7.7 | ||
| 13 | Cyber Engine Tweaks | Free | Cyberpunk 2077 | Windows; Linux via Proton | Injection | 7.6 | ||
| 14 | ScriptHookVDotNet | Free | Grand Theft Auto V | Windows PC | Plugin | 7.4 | ||
| 15 | Baldur's Gate 3 Script Extender | Free | Baldur's Gate 3 | Windows, Linux via Proton | Script | 7.3 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update