CKAN vs Irony Mod Manager
CKAN
github.comIrony Mod Manager
github.comSide by side
| Figure | CKAN | Irony Mod Manager |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Mod managers | 8.8 (#4) | 8.3 (#15) |
| Spec score · Game Mod Managers | 8.8 (#5) | 8.3 (#16) |
| Conflict detection | Yes | Yes |
| Mod source access | built-in | manual import |
| Platforms | The CKAN client is built for .NET using Mono and runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. | Portable builds are offered for Windows, macOS, and Linux, with an additional Windows installer and a Finder convenience bundle for macOS. |
| Purpose | CKAN is a repository of Kerbal Space Program mod metadata and tools for finding, installing, and managing mods. | Irony Mod Manager is a high-performance mod manager and alternative to the official Paradox launchers. |
| Support | The project directs users to troubleshooting documentation, GitHub issues, and its Discord server for help with the client. | Users can consult the FAQ and troubleshooting guidance, report issues on GitHub with logs and reproduction details, or seek community help on Discord. |
| Supported platforms | multi-platform | multi-platform |
Plans
In their own words
CKAN
CKAN helps Kerbal Space Program players find, install, and manage mods through a client connected to an online registry. Users can refresh the registry and search by mod name, identifier, author, or relationships. CKAN uses mod metadata to select mods for the game version, install dependencies, and identify conflicts or incompatibilities. By default, a mod must be marked compatible with the exact game version; users can choose additional compatible versions, and an All filter can display incompatible mods. The client provides graphical, console, and command-line interfaces. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, with installation options for several Linux distributions. The executable can manage game installations from any folder; placing it in a game folder supports portable use. Mod authors can contribute or correct metadata. CKAN is open source and MIT-licensed, and is free. On macOS 10.15 and later, the console interface is the default because the graphical interface depends on a 32-bit WinForms application in Mono.
Irony Mod Manager
Irony Mod Manager is a free, open-source alternative to the official Paradox launchers. It supports Crusader Kings III, Europa Universalis IV and V, Hearts of Iron IV, Imperator: Rome, Star Trek: Infinite, Stellaris, and Victoria 3 on Linux, macOS, and Windows. Mods are imported manually, organized into profiles, and assigned deterministic load order according to each game’s rules. Conflict handling differs by title: Stellaris has full solver support, HOI4 has analysis-only support, and other listed games use merging. Multiple merge strategies are available, and the manager can generate patch mods during conflict resolution. An external editor or merge/diff tool can be configured. Official binaries are published on GitHub Releases. Windows and Linux update downloads are signature-verified; macOS updates require manual replacement. The macOS Finder bundle is unsigned and unnotarized. Windows 7 is no longer officially supported, and mods cannot be uploaded to Steam Workshop.