Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them
–Visits
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

SMAPI review

Free#3 of 26 in Game Mod Loaders

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

8.9/10Editor score
Visit SMAPI
SMAPI8.9 Visit SMAPI

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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 Windows, macOS, Linux, Steam Deck, and Android, giving Stardew Valley mod users a common framework across desktop and handheld platforms.

Its strongest area is the depth of the loading and maintenance workflow. SMAPI can rewrite compiled mods for platform compatibility, detect incompatible or outdated mods, check for updates, and intercept errors with diagnostic information. It also supports declared dependencies and optional dependencies, load-order control, separate mod folders through the --mods-path option, and profiles. Automatic save backups add a practical safeguard for players managing modded saves.

SMAPI is free and open source, so it suits players who want a capable Stardew Valley mod foundation without a paid tier. The platform coverage is broad, while Android has dedicated installation guidance alongside the desktop and Steam Deck support highlighted for the project. Its clear boundary is scope: SMAPI supports Stardew Valley, not a wider catalog of games. Choose it when Stardew Valley mod loading, compatibility handling, diagnostics, and dependency management are the priority; choose a different tool when you need a multi-game loader or a broader mod-management ecosystem.

SMAPI pros and cons

  • 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

SMAPI 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