Metaplay review
A broad backend and LiveOps stack for studios building server-authoritative mobile games.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Metaplay is a backend platform for studios building and operating server-authoritative live-service games. Its Unity-oriented SDK covers player accounts, authentication, account linking, persistence, multiplayer entities, messaging, and matchmaking. The platform supports web, iOS, and Android, with tools for guilds, leagues, seasons, and leaderboards. It is aimed at teams that need backend systems and ongoing game operations in one product, particularly mobile studios running games beyond launch.
Pricing is split between project plans and support plans. The Free plan costs €0 per month and includes local game development, full Metaplay SDK usage, Metaplay Portal access, and Metaplay Local Server. Starter costs €195 per month for a managed service, one mini environment, and a limited publishing license. Pre-launch costs €995 per month and adds two small environments for game development. Production costs €1985 per month and includes a scalable production environment and publishing license for soft launch and live games. Private Cloud supports self-hosting with custom environments and customizable infrastructure. Production pricing also includes a DAU-based usage fee above the included threshold.
Metaplay’s strongest area is the combination of backend depth and LiveOps control. Its dashboard supports player segmentation, experiments, events, offers, economy management, support workflows, and over-the-air configuration and content updates. Teams can choose managed cloud environments or self-hosting, while Standard and Dedicated support plans add ticketing, email support, onboarding, a private Slack channel, or engineer days depending on the tier. The trade-off is scope and cost: the Free plan is for local development, cloud deployment starts at €195 monthly, and the platform targets only web, iOS, and Android. Studios needing these server and LiveOps capabilities should consider Metaplay; smaller projects without live-service requirements may not need its breadth.
Metaplay pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Server-authoritative logic, persistence, accounts, and multiplayer systems
- Matchmaking, guilds, seasons, leagues, and leaderboards
- LiveOps tools plus managed cloud and self-hosting options
- Where it doesn't
- Cloud deployment requires a paid project plan
- Paid project plans start at €195 per month
- Platform coverage is limited to web, iOS, and Android
Metaplay fact sheet, pricing and score →
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.
Last updated · How we research and update