CKAN vs Limo

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.

Limo is a free, open-source Linux application for managing game mods and plugins. It can import installed Steam games and handle specialized Steam game configurations. Built-in NexusMods access lets users check for updates, read mod information and download mods. Limo also works with LOOT to manage installed plugins, sort load order and check for plugin issues. For OpenMW, it manages plugin and archive files and supports LOOT. When deployed files conflict, the mod lower in the deployer's load order takes precedence. Limo automatically creates backups when target files are about to be overwritten. It can be installed as a Flatpak, through the Arch User Repository or from source. The Flatpak version is officially supported, while the AUR version offers early access to some features. The Flatpak workflow currently supports Bethesda Steam games such as Skyrim, Skyrim SE and Skyrim VR. Limo is licensed under GPL-3.0. Planned API support includes Thunderstore and Gamebanana.