CheddaBoards vs Crux

CheddaBoards is a free, open-source backend for games that need server-validated leaderboards, achievements, shared player profiles and authentication. Leaderboards can reset daily, weekly or monthly, with monthly and custom intervals available. Submission checks include per-game score caps, play-session duration, streak limits and server-side rules. The maker notes that determined users can reverse-engineer the public API or use bots that imitate realistic pacing, so additional protections are recommended for ranked or prize-based PvP. Players may begin anonymously and later link accounts through Google or Apple sign-in with a short code. Drop-in SDKs support Godot and Unity, while a REST API serves other engines that can make HTTP requests. Listed engine coverage also includes Unreal, GameMaker, Construct, native mobile, web and custom engines. Developers can delete scores or remove players from boards, with a deletion log, and record in-game events through API calls. The MIT-licensed backend and SDKs can be self-hosted on the Internet Computer. The Free plan costs nothing and includes three games per account, unlimited players and no per-player fees.

Crux provides multiplayer game backend services for player authentication, persistent data, leaderboards, server registration, live configuration, game economies, and matchmaking. Authentication supports email and password, guest sessions, Google, GitHub, and Discord OAuth, as well as Roblox verification. Developers can store player- or project-scoped JSON documents and configure ranked or seasonal leaderboards with recurring resets. Economy tools handle currencies, virtual items, and inventories through atomic, server-authoritative updates. Matchmaking queues players by game mode and region, then assigns them to live servers from the dedicated server registry. The maker lists Unity, Roblox, Godot, and custom game servers as integrations, with client SDKs for JavaScript, Godot, Unity, and Roblox. The hosted API is documented with OpenAPI, and client SDKs are MIT-licensed; the managed backend is proprietary. Crux has a free Dev plan and paid plans from $10.00 per month. Runtime is a capacity-gated closed alpha for Godot 4 Linux dedicated-server exports, with Dev evaluation limited to admitted projects. Crux says it best suits dedicated-server multiplayer survival or co-op games.