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MelonLoader

github.com

Free plan Open source WindowsmacOSLinuxAndroid
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Spec score 8.7 #3 of 26 in Game Mod Loaders

What it is

MelonLoader is a free mod loader for Unity games using Mono or Il2Cpp. It injects mods and supports plugins, load-order control, and dependency handling. Mods and plugins are placed in separate folders in the game installation directory, and game logs are written to a MelonLoader/Logs folder. The project provides an installer guide and manual installation instructions for a release archive. For Il2Cpp games, the listed requirement is the.NET 6.0 Desktop Runtime; the repository says it is installed automatically on Windows. Windows startup loading uses a proxy DLL, a method the project identifies as Windows-only. Linux instructions cover WINE, Steam Proton, and native use, while Android and Oculus Quest support is marked as work in progress. Debug mode is intended for work on the loader, plugins, and mods. Configuration also includes a Mono debug server, and the Il2Cpp Assembly Generator can be set to run without contacting its remote API. MelonLoader is licensed under Apache License, Version 2.0 and listed at free.

Spec sheet

What it does
MelonLoader injects into Unity games using either Mono or Il2Cpp and loads community assemblies.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Purpose
MelonLoader describes itself as a universal mod loader for Unity games compatible with both Il2Cpp and Mono.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
License
The repository states MelonLoader is licensed under Apache License, Version 2.0.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
32/64-bit dependencies
The wiki requires matching Microsoft Visual C++ 2015–2019 Redistributables for 32-bit or 64-bit games.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Android status
Android and Oculus Quest support is explicitly marked work in progress.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Community and support
The repository links to the Official Wiki and an official Discord invite.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Configuration
After first launch, Loader.cfg exposes loader, console, logging, Mono debugger and Unity/Il2Cpp settings.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Debugging
A debug mode and numerous command-line switches support diagnosing loader, Unity and mod problems.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Debugging configuration
The configuration includes a Mono debug server with a default listen address of 127.0.0.1 and port 55555.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Development
Debug mode is intended to help develop and debug MelonLoader, plugins, and mods.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Documentation depth
The official wiki documents automated and manual installation, launcher detection, Linux environment variables, troubleshooting pitfalls, support contact and launch arguments.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Game logs
MelonLoader writes logs to a MelonLoader/Logs folder in the game's installation directory.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Il2Cpp requirement
Il2Cpp games require the .NET 6 Desktop Runtime; Windows installation can install it automatically.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Install options
The repository links to an installer guide and provides instructions for manual installation from a release archive.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Installation methods
Users can install through the dedicated installer or manually copy the loader directory and proxy DLLs into a closed game directory.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Licence
The repository and installer are licensed under Apache License 2.0.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Limit: anti-cheat
The same review warns that DLL injection is unsuitable for games with kernel-level anti-cheat because of ban risk.Read 15 Oct 2026 · hysenlabs.com
Limit: compatibility
An independent technical review says games with their own version.dll or launchers that verify files can fail to start with the proxy approach.Read 15 Oct 2026 · hysenlabs.com
Limit: difficult setup
A Steam community poster describes the tool as aimed at expert users, complicated, dependent on old versions for some patches and difficult to remove.Read 15 Oct 2026 · steamcommunity.com
Limit: launch failures
A BONELAB Steam discussion reports the game stopping before launch, a missing Bootstrap.dll message and difficulty removing residual loader files.Read 15 Oct 2026 · steamcommunity.com
Limit: platform maturity
The independent review characterizes Android/Quest support as experimental and notes uneven platform parity.Read 15 Oct 2026 · hysenlabs.com
Linux integration
The installer supports Steam games on Linux and documentation covers Wine, Proton and native launches.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Linux support
The repository links to a Linux support guide covering WINE, Steam Proton, and native use.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Logging
Runtime logs are written under MelonLoader/Logs in the game installation directory.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
macOS integration
The installer lists Steam games on macOS and provides a launch script for macOS installation.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Maker identity
The project is maintained by the LavaGang GitHub organization and contributors.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Mod loading
Mods are placed in a game-directory Mods folder and loaded by the framework.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Mods and plugins
The repository instructions place mods in a Mods folder and plugins in a Plugins folder in the game installation directory.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Nightly builds
Nightly builds are generated immediately after changes and the maintainers warn that they are for experienced users.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Offline option
The Il2Cpp Assembly Generator can be configured to run without contacting the remote API.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Plugin loading
Plugins are placed in a game-directory Plugins folder and loaded at startup.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Praise: established ecosystem
Reddit users report running MelonLoader with many mods for roughly one hundred hours without observed account or system problems and describe it as solid.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Proxy mechanism
On Windows, MelonLoader uses a proxy DLL, normally version.dll, with alternative Windows DLL names documented.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Public developer package
LavaGang publishes a LavaGang.MelonLoader NuGet package version 0.7.3 targeting .NET 6 and compatible frameworks.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nuget.org
Rating on Trustpilot
2.9 out of 5 from 2 reviews.Read 15 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
Release news
Version 0.7.3 was released on 14 May 2026 with Linux, macOS, Unity 6000+, Wine/Proton and configuration fixes among its changes.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Repository scale
The GitHub repository shows about 4.3k stars, 660 forks and 2,495 commits.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
SDK ecosystem
NuGet lists dependent modding packages and GitHub projects, including BONELAB-Fusion and Sinmai-Assist.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nuget.org
Security complaint
A GitHub issue reports antivirus detections during installation, specifically involving Generated.dll; the issue was closed as not planned.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Security statement
The project says it does not condone malicious mods, including mods intended to cheat in online games.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Support channel
The documentation directs users to the MelonLoader Discord support channel and asks them to include log files.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Third-party dependencies
The repository lists HarmonyX and MonoMod among its third-party libraries and identifies both as MIT licensed.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Windows launcher integrations
The installer detects Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG and Meta Store games.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Windows proxy
MelonLoader uses a proxy DLL to load at game startup, and the repository says this mechanism applies only to Windows.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

MelonLoader Free Apache License 2.0 Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
MelonLoader Free Windows/Linux installers · x86/x64 packages · nightly builds Read 15 Oct 2026 · melonloaders.org

Every MelonLoader plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Supports Unity games using Mono or Il2Cpp.
  • Includes plugin support, load-order control, and dependency handling.
  • Offers installer and manual installation guidance.
  • Il2Cpp Assembly Generator can run without its remote API.
  • Free under Apache License, Version 2.0.

Limits

  • Android and Oculus Quest support is work in progress.
  • Windows proxy-DLL loading is Windows-only.
  • Il2Cpp games list the .NET 6.0 Desktop Runtime requirement.

Who it suits

MelonLoader suits people modding Unity games that use Mono or Il2Cpp and who need plugin support. Linux users have guidance for WINE, Steam Proton, and native use; Android and Oculus Quest users should note that support is still in progress.

MelonLoader in depth

Read the full write-up

MelonLoader is a free injection-based mod loader for Unity games built on Mono or Il2Cpp. It suits players setting up mods and plugins, as well as developers who need debugging support. Its runtime coverage is broad, but check your platform’s support status and the Il2Cpp runtime requirement before choosing it.

Overview

MelonLoader supports Unity games using either Mono or Il2Cpp, with mods and plugins placed in separate folders in the game’s installation directory. Load-order control and dependency handling are useful when a setup has multiple add-ons that need to cooperate. The trade-off is scope: it is for Unity games, not a general mod loader across engines.

Users can follow an installer guide or install manually from a release archive, so there is a choice between guided setup and a more direct route. Logs are written to a MelonLoader/Logs folder in the game directory, which gives players and developers a concrete place to start when diagnosing problems. Debug mode is aimed at developing and debugging MelonLoader, mods, and plugins, making it more valuable to maintainers than to players who only install add-ons.

Key features

Mono and Il2Cpp support: Handles both Unity runtime types, so runtime choice alone does not require a different loader. For Il2Cpp games, the.NET 6.0 Desktop Runtime is required; Windows installs it automatically.

Separate mod and plugin loading: Mods go in the Mods folder and plugins in the Plugins folder. Load-order control and dependency handling help with multi-add-on setups, though users still need to manage the game-directory structure.

Installation and diagnostics: An installer guide and manual release-archive instructions give users two installation paths; game logs have a defined location, and debug mode targets development and troubleshooting.

Offline Il2Cpp assembly generation: The Il2Cpp Assembly Generator can be configured to run without contacting its remote API, useful where that connection is unwanted or unavailable.

Pricing

MelonLoader is free: the MelonLoader plan costs nothing under the Apache License 2.0. There is no paid tier or trial to weigh against the free option, making it a straightforward choice for users who want Unity mod loading without a software charge. Its practical cost is the setup and runtime requirements, particularly the.NET 6.0 Desktop Runtime for Il2Cpp games.

Platforms

MelonLoader supports Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and Oculus Quest, but support is not equally mature across them. Linux guidance covers WINE, Steam Proton, and native use, while Android and Oculus Quest support is marked as work in progress, so users on those platforms should treat compatibility as less settled. On Windows, a proxy DLL loads MelonLoader at game startup; that mechanism applies only to Windows.

The Mono debug server configuration uses a default listen address of 127.0.0.1 and port 55555. That is a useful concrete default for developers configuring debugging, but it is a development detail rather than a reason for most players to choose the loader.

Who it's for

MelonLoader is a good fit for players whose Unity game uses Mono or Il2Cpp and whose platform support matches their setup. Separate mod and plugin locations, load-order control, and dependency handling suit users building a multi-add-on configuration. Developers also have a defined log location and a debug mode intended for loader, plugin, and mod work.

It is a weaker fit for users whose games are not built on Unity, or for Android and Oculus Quest users who need established support rather than work-in-progress coverage. Il2Cpp users should also account for the required.NET runtime, even though Windows installs it automatically.

Pros and cons

Pros: Free under Apache License 2.0; supports both Mono and Il2Cpp Unity games; offers installer-guided and manual installation; includes plugin support, load-order control, dependency handling, and an offline option for Il2Cpp assembly generation.

Cons: Limited to Unity games; Android and Oculus Quest support remains a work in progress; Il2Cpp games require the.NET 6.0 Desktop Runtime; the Windows proxy-DLL loading mechanism does not apply to other platforms.

Alternatives

For other options, see Game Mod Loaders. SMAPI is another free option across Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows, but it requires Stardew Valley 1.6.14 or later on Linux, macOS, Windows, or Steam Deck. Choose Satisfactory Mod Loader for Satisfactory, particularly if you need its Windows client and server or Linux server support; it is free and has no required dependencies.

BepInEx is worth considering if you want a free loader with manual installation and stable and bleeding-edge builds; it supports Linux, macOS, and Windows. Everest is another free option, with support for API, Linux, macOS, and Windows. For BattleTech PC mod loading, consider free ModTek, which supports Linux, macOS, and Windows.

MWSE is a free, GPL-licensed option for Linux and Windows that welcomes contributions, with no warranty. Cyber Engine Tweaks is a free, MIT-licensed framework for Linux and Windows. Hell2Modding is a free option for macOS and Windows.

Verdict

Choose MelonLoader if you want a free loader for a Unity game and value support for both Mono and Il2Cpp, plus plugin handling and development tools. Look elsewhere if your game is outside Unity, or if you need mature Android or Oculus Quest support; Il2Cpp users should be prepared to meet the.NET runtime requirement.

Verdict

MelonLoader supports mods and plugins for Unity games using either of its listed runtimes, with installation guidance for several platforms. Check the platform-specific status and the Il2Cpp runtime requirement first.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to MelonLoaderAll alternatives →