Best MelonLoader Alternatives in 2026
Updated
20 tools from game mod loaders ranked against MelonLoader on the same published basis.
- 2MelonLoader vs SMAPI
- 3MelonLoader vs Satisfactory Mod Loader
- 4MelonLoader vs BepInEx
- 5MelonLoader vs Everest
- 6MelonLoader vs ModTek
- 7MelonLoader vs MWSE
- 8MelonLoader vs Hell2Modding
- 9MelonLoader vs Northstar
- 10MelonLoader vs Cyber Engine Tweaks
- 11MelonLoader vs Hollow Knight Modding API
- 12MelonLoader vs Ultimate ASI Loader
- 13MelonLoader vs Baldur's Gate 3 Script Extender
- 14MelonLoader vs CLEO
- 15MelonLoader vs xOBSE
- 16MelonLoader vs Fallout 4 Script Extender (F4SE)
- 17MelonLoader vs RED4ext
- 18MelonLoader vs ScriptHookVDotNet
- 19MelonLoader vs Starfield Script Extender
- 20MelonLoader vs Venice Unleashed
- 21MelonLoader vs xNVSE
MelonLoader alternatives compared
| # | Tool | Score | Free plan | From | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | SMAPI | 7.3 | Free plan | Free | Android, Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 3 | Satisfactory Mod Loader | 7.2 | Free plan | Free | Linux, Windows |
| 4 | BepInEx | 7.1 | Free plan | Free | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 5 | Everest | 7.1 | No | — | API, Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 6 | ModTek | 7.1 | Free plan | Free | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 7 | MWSE | 7.1 | Free plan | Free | Linux, Windows |
| 8 | Hell2Modding | 6.9 | Free plan | Free | Mac, Windows |
| 9 | Northstar | 6.9 | No | — | Linux, Windows |
| 10 | Cyber Engine Tweaks | 6.0 | Free plan | Free | Linux, Windows |
| 11 | Hollow Knight Modding API | 6.0 | No | — | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| 12 | Ultimate ASI Loader | 6.0 | Free plan | Free | Windows |
| 13 | Baldur's Gate 3 Script Extender | 5.9 | No | — | Windows, Linux |
| 14 | CLEO | 5.9 | No | — | Windows, iOS |
| 15 | xOBSE | 5.9 | No | — | Windows, Linux |
| 16 | Fallout 4 Script Extender (F4SE) | 5.8 | No | — | Windows |
| 17 | RED4ext | 5.8 | No | — | Windows |
| 18 | ScriptHookVDotNet | 5.8 | No | — | Windows |
| 19 | Starfield Script Extender | 5.8 | No | — | Windows |
| 20 | Venice Unleashed | 5.8 | No | — | Windows |
| 21 | xNVSE | 5.8 | No | — | Windows |
Make your tool an alternative to MelonLoader
See the priceThe sponsored alternative slot on this page is labelled Sponsored.
Questions about MelonLoader alternatives
What is the best alternative to MelonLoader?
SMAPI, number 2 in game mod loaders with a score of 7.3 out of 10. The others here: Satisfactory Mod Loader, BepInEx, Everest and 16 more.
What is the best free alternative to MelonLoader?
SMAPI is the best-ranked alternative with a free plan. 8 of the 20 alternatives here publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
How are these alternatives 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.