Best Game Mod Loaders in 2026
Updated
In short: MelonLoader is ranked #1 of 25 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of SMAPI and Satisfactory Mod Loader. The best-ranked option with a free plan is SMAPI.
Adding mods to a game starts with a compatibility check: compare supported games and platforms with the titles and systems you use. Then consider the loading method, dependency handling, and load-order control to understand how each loader organizes mods. Mod profiles and plugin support add further points of comparison, while free-plan availability and Paid from provide pricing details. MelonLoader, SMAPI, and Satisfactory Mod Loader are among the entries, as are BepInEx and Everest. Weigh the listed features against the kind of mod setup you want to maintain.
25 game mod loaders ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
25ranked
7free plans on this page
4 Oct 2026last checked
Input list Game Mod Loaders 25 channels on this page · 117 of 200 spec lines stated by the makers
Ch Tool Free planPaid fromSupported gamesSupported platformsMod loading methodPlugin supportLoad-order controlMod profiles Spec sheet Score
01 MelonLoader Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported gamesUnity games using Mono or Il2CppSupported platformsWindows, Linux (WINE/Steam Proton/native), macOS, Android and Oculus Quest (WIP)Mod loading methodinjectionPlugin supportYesLoad-order controlYesMod profilesnot stated 6/8spec lines stated 7.3
02 SMAPI Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported gamesStardew ValleySupported platformsLinux, macOS, Windows, Steam Deck, AndroidMod loading methodpluginPlugin supportYesLoad-order controlYesMod profilesYes 7/8spec lines stated 7.3
03 Satisfactory Mod Loader Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported gamesSatisfactorySupported platformsWindows, LinuxMod loading methodpluginPlugin supportYesLoad-order controlnot statedMod profilesnot stated 5/8spec lines stated 7.2
04 BepInEx Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported gamesnot statedSupported platformsWindows, macOS, LinuxMod loading methodinjectionPlugin supportYesLoad-order controlYesMod profilesnot stated 5/8spec lines stated 7.1
05 Everest Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported gamesCelesteSupported platformsWindows, macOS, LinuxMod loading methodinjectionPlugin supportYesLoad-order controlnot statedMod profilesnot stated 5/8spec lines stated 7.1
06 ModTek Free plannot statedPaid fromnot statedSupported gamesBattleTechSupported platformsWindows, Linux, macOSMod loading methodinjectionPlugin supportYesLoad-order controlYesMod profilesnot stated 5/8spec lines stated 7.1
07 MWSE Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported gamesThe Elder Scrolls III: MorrowindSupported platformsWindows; Linux via WineMod loading methodscriptPlugin supportYesLoad-order controlYesMod profilesnot stated 6/8spec lines stated 7.1
08 Hell2Modding Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported gamesHades IISupported platformsWindows; Steam Deck through ProtonMod loading methodinjectionPlugin supportYesLoad-order controlYesMod profilesYes 7/8spec lines stated 6.9
09 Northstar Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported gamesTitanfall 2Supported platformsWindows; LinuxMod loading methodinjectionPlugin supportYesLoad-order controlYesMod profilesYes 7/8spec lines stated 6.9
10 Cyber Engine Tweaks Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported gamesCyberpunk 2077Supported platformsWindows; Linux via ProtonMod loading methodinjectionPlugin supportYesLoad-order controlnot statedMod profilesnot stated 5/8spec lines stated 6.0
11 Hollow Knight Modding API Free plannot statedPaid fromnot statedSupported gamesHollow KnightSupported platformsWindows, Linux, macOSMod loading methodinjectionPlugin supportnot statedLoad-order controlYesMod profilesnot stated 4/8spec lines stated 6.0
12 Ultimate ASI Loader Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported gamesGTA San Andreas; Resident Evil 5Supported platformsWindows (Win32 and Win64)Mod loading methodpluginPlugin supportYesLoad-order controlNoMod profilesNo 7/8spec lines stated 6.0
13 Baldur's Gate 3 Script Extender Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported gamesBaldur's Gate 3Supported platformsWindows, Linux via ProtonMod loading methodscriptPlugin supportnot statedLoad-order controlnot statedMod profilesnot stated 4/8spec lines stated 5.9
14 CLEO Free plannot statedPaid fromnot statedSupported gamesGTA III, GTA Vice City, GTA San Andreas, GTA IV, Bully, GTA: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition, re3, reVC, GTA Liberty City Stories, GTA Vice City StoriesSupported platformsWindows PC, iOS, PSP, PS2Mod loading methodscriptPlugin supportYesLoad-order controlnot statedMod profilesnot stated 4/8spec lines stated 5.9
15 xOBSE Free plannot statedPaid fromnot statedSupported gamesThe Elder Scrolls IV: OblivionSupported platformsWindows; Linux via Steam ProtonMod loading methodinjectionPlugin supportYesLoad-order controlnot statedMod profilesnot stated 4/8spec lines stated 5.9
16 Fallout 4 Script Extender (F4SE) Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported gamesFallout 4Supported platformsWindowsMod loading methodinjectionPlugin supportYesLoad-order controlnot statedMod profilesnot stated 5/8spec lines stated 5.8
17 RED4ext Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported gamesCyberpunk 2077Supported platformsWindowsMod loading methodpluginPlugin supportYesLoad-order controlnot statedMod profilesnot stated 5/8spec lines stated 5.8
18 ScriptHookVDotNet Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported gamesGrand Theft Auto VSupported platformsWindows PCMod loading methodpluginPlugin supportYesLoad-order controlnot statedMod profilesnot stated 5/8spec lines stated 5.8
19 Starfield Script Extender Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported gamesStarfieldSupported platformsWindowsMod loading methodinjectionPlugin supportYesLoad-order controlnot statedMod profilesnot stated 5/8spec lines stated 5.8
20 Venice Unleashed Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported gamesBattlefield 3Supported platformsWindowsMod loading methodscriptPlugin supportnot statedLoad-order controlnot statedMod profilesnot stated 4/8spec lines stated 5.8
21 xNVSE Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported gamesFallout: New VegasSupported platformsWindowsMod loading methodscriptPlugin supportYesLoad-order controlnot statedMod profilesnot stated 5/8spec lines stated 5.8
22 REDmod Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported gamesCyberpunk 2077Supported platformsWindowsMod loading methodnot statedPlugin supportnot statedLoad-order controlnot statedMod profilesnot stated 3/8spec lines stated 5.6
23 UE4SS Free plannot statedPaid fromnot statedSupported gamesnot statedSupported platformsWindowsMod loading methodinjectionPlugin supportnot statedLoad-order controlYesMod profilesnot stated 3/8spec lines stated 5.6
24 Sonic Free plannot statedPaid fromnot statedSupported gamesnot statedSupported platformsnot statedMod loading methodnot statedPlugin supportnot statedLoad-order controlnot statedMod profilesnot stated 0/8spec lines stated 5.2
25 Unity Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported gamesnot statedSupported platformsnot statedMod loading methodnot statedPlugin supportnot statedLoad-order controlnot statedMod profilesnot stated 1/8spec lines stated 5.0
Is your tool on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which game mod loader is ranked first on Specifiction?
MelonLoader is ranked #1 of 25 with a score of 7.3. SMAPI is second and Satisfactory Mod Loader third.
How many of these have a free plan?
7 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked on what each maker publishes, the fullest spec sheet first: how deeply the product is documented, the platforms it runs on, a free tier or trial to test it, and its standing. Paid placements never change a rank.
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