Alternatives to MelonLoader

{"intro": "MelonLoader is a free loader for Unity games built with either Mono or Il2Cpp. It loads mods and plugins through injection, supports dependency handling and load-order control, and keeps logs in the game’s installation directory. Debug mode is intended for developing and debugging MelonLoader, plugins, and mods. Installation can follow an installer guide or use a release archive manually. Windows, Linux, macOS, and Android are covered, although Android and Oculus Quest support is work in progress. Il2Cpp games require the .NET 6.0 Desktop Runtime, installed automatically on Windows.\n\nReaders may prefer a narrower tool when a game has a dedicated loader, scripting environment, or mod framework. Platform scope also differs: some alternatives target one game, while others omit Android or macOS. Compare whether the alternative supports your game and store, how it loads or manages mods, what developer facilities it provides, and which prerequisites apply. A switch can trade MelonLoader’s broad Unity coverage for game-specific integration, built-in update or dependency handling, scripting APIs, or a different installation model.", "rows": [{"ref": "sw:smapi", "name": "SMAPI", "best_for": "Stardew Valley players wanting integrated mod tools", "pricing": "Free plan", "key_difference": "SMAPI targets Stardew Valley and adds configuration, performance work, build attestation, and malicious-file detection rather than general Unity loading.", "choose_when": "Choose it when you need Stardew Valley 1.6.14+ support, achievement compatibility, and SMAPI’s game-specific tools."}, {"ref": "sw:satisfactory-mod-loader", "name": "Satisfactory Mod Loader", "best_for": "Satisfactory multiplayer modding", "pricing": "Free plan", "key_difference": "Satisfactory Mod Loader is built for Satisfactory, with Unreal Blueprint or C++ mods, manager integration, and no external network connections.", "choose_when": "Choose it when multiplayer-focused Satisfactory mod loading, dependency installation, and repository malware testing matter more than Unity coverage."}, {"ref": "sw:bepinex", "name": "BepInEx", "best_for": "Multi-engine Unity and .NET plugin frameworks", "pricing": "Free plan", "key_difference": "BepInEx covers Unity Mono, IL2CPP, and several .NET game frameworks, with configuration, logging, and runtime or in-memory patching.", "choose_when": "Choose it when your game fits its supported engines and you want drop-in installation or patching beyond MelonLoader’s Unity scope."}, {"ref": "sw:everest", "name": "Everest", "best_for": "Celeste mod packs and code-driven content", "pricing": "Free plan", "key_difference": "Everest is a Celeste-specific API with map, texture, dialogue, campaign, and code mods plus an in-game updater and dependency downloader.", "choose_when": "Choose it when you need Celeste store support, vanilla switching, and content-focused modding without altering original files."}, {"ref": "sw:modtek", "name": "ModTek", "best_for": "BattleTech mods with DLC and ordered dependencies", "pricing": "Open source", "key_difference": "ModTek targets HBS BattleTech, dynamically loads mod.json packages, resolves dependencies, and adds DLC support missing from the built-in loader.", "choose_when": "Choose it when BattleTech Steam or GOG mods need self-contained files, enforced load order, and newer DLC support."}, {"ref": "sw:mwse", "name": "MWSE", "best_for": "Advanced Morrowind Lua mod scripting", "pricing": "Free plan", "key_difference": "MWSE extends Morrowind scripting with unsandboxed Lua, broad event hooks, native code support, crash dumps, and a higher mod limit.", "choose_when": "Choose it when Morrowind mods need event-driven Lua or native modules and you can install its required companion tools."}, {"ref": "sw:baldur-s-gate-3-script-extender", "name": "Baldur's Gate 3 Script Extender", "best_for": "Baldur’s Gate 3 Lua and Osiris scripting", "pricing": "Free plan", "key_difference": "The Script Extender targets Baldur’s Gate 3 with separate client/server Lua states, console commands, debuggers, logs, and auto-updates.", "choose_when": "Choose it when BG3 mods need Lua or Osiris scripting, configurable diagnostics, achievement re-enabling, or automatic extender updates."}]}