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SPECIFICTION
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SmartFoxServer

smartfoxserver.com

From €32.50/mo Free plan WebWindowsmacOSLinuxiOSAndroid
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Spec score 8.0 #16 of 29 in Game Networking Middleware

What it is

SmartFoxServer is a client/server SDK for building real-time multiplayer games, MMOs, virtual communities, and other multiuser experiences. Its listed client technologies include Unity, Godot, HTML5, iOS, Android, and Adobe Flash. SmartFoxServer 3 runs on Java 25 LTS and uses the BitSwarm Engine 4.0 TCP/UDP socket engine. Networking includes reliable UDP with configurable quality of service, multiple channels, and reliable or unreliable delivery options. Server-side extensions can be written in Java, Kotlin, Scala, or Groovy. The server also provides real-time analytics, performance history, and an expanded AdminTool, along with database connectivity and pooling, protocol compression, HTTP tunneling, and an embedded HTTP server. Strict Mode disconnects requests that do not follow stricter protocol rules. The Community Edition is free without a time limit, permits commercial use with a readable Powered by SmartFoxServer notice, and supports 100 concurrent users. Paid licenses start at €32.50 a month for 500 concurrent users; each license applies to one server machine.

Spec sheet

Purpose
SmartFoxServer is a client/server SDK for building real-time multiplayer games, MMOs, virtual communities, and other multiuser experiences.Read 2 Oct 2026 · smartfoxserver.com
Security
SFS3 Strict Mode applies stricter protocol rules and disconnects nonconforming requests to deter bots, scrapers, or hacked clients.Read 2 Oct 2026 · smartfoxserver.com
Support
Licenses include one month of direct email support and continuing support through online forums; the maker also offers documentation, examples, and video tutorials.Read 2 Oct 2026 · smartfoxserver.com
Founded
1999Read 23 Sep 2026 · smartfoxserver.com
Company
The platform overview identifies gotoAndPlay() as the Italian company behind SmartFoxServer and says it has more than 20 years of experience.Read 2 Oct 2026 · smartfoxserver.com
Analytics and administration
SFS3 includes real-time analytics with live metrics, an expanded AdminTool, and persistent performance history.Read 2 Oct 2026 · smartfoxserver.com
Database integration
The platform overview says SmartFoxServer provides integrated database connectivity and an optimized database pooling system.Read 2 Oct 2026 · smartfoxserver.com
Extensions
Server-side extensions can be developed in Java, Kotlin, Scala, and Groovy; server-side JavaScript may be reintroduced later.Read 2 Oct 2026 · smartfoxserver.com
Game engine and client support
The platform overview names Unity, Godot, HTML5, iOS, Android, and Adobe Flash among supported client technologies.Read 2 Oct 2026 · smartfoxserver.com
License limits
Commercial SFS3 licenses apply a concurrent-user limit, and each license is valid for one server machine.Read 2 Oct 2026 · smartfoxserver.com
Network and web features
The platform overview lists an optimized protocol with automatic compression, HTTP tunneling for clients behind proxies and firewalls, and an embedded HTTP server for web content.Read 2 Oct 2026 · smartfoxserver.com
Networking
SFS3 includes reliable UDP with configurable quality of service, multiple channels, and reliable/ordered, unreliable/ordered, and raw UDP options.Read 2 Oct 2026 · smartfoxserver.com
Real-time audio limit
SFS3 supports real-time live audio streaming, currently only for .NET clients, with other client support planned for later updates.Read 2 Oct 2026 · smartfoxserver.com
Server runtimes
SmartFoxServer 3 is built on Java 25 LTS and uses the BitSwarm Engine 4.0 TCP/UDP socket engine.Read 2 Oct 2026 · smartfoxserver.com

Plans and prices

Community Edition Free Free, without time limits 100 concurrent users · Full features · Commercial use allowed with readable Powered by SmartFoxServer notice Read 2 Oct 2026 · smartfoxserver.com
Elastic license €32.50 a month Starting from 32.50€/month for 500 CCU; charged daily from prepaid, rechargeable credit 500 CCU starting point · One server machine per license · Optional addons Read 2 Oct 2026 · smartfoxserver.com
Perpetual license €650, paid once Starting from 650€ for 500 CCU 500 CCU starting point · One server machine per license · License never expires Read 2 Oct 2026 · smartfoxserver.com

Every SmartFoxServer plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Community Edition is free without a time limit.
  • Commercial use allowed with a readable product notice.
  • Supports multiple client technologies, including Unity and Godot.
  • Server-side extensions support Java, Kotlin, Scala, and Groovy.
  • Includes analytics and persistent performance history.

Limits

  • Community Edition is limited to 100 concurrent users.
  • Each commercial license covers one server machine.
  • Real-time audio streaming currently supports only.NET clients.
  • Paid licenses start at €32.50 a month.

Who it suits

It suits teams building multiplayer games or other multiuser applications that need server-side extensions and real-time analytics. The free Community Edition may fit projects with up to 100 concurrent users that can show the required notice.

Verdict

SmartFoxServer offers a free Community Edition and paid licenses with concurrent-user limits. Check the client requirements, license scope, and any need for audio streaming beyond .NET before choosing a license.

Where Specifiction places it

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