CKAN vs Mod Organizer 2
CKAN
github.comMod Organizer 2
github.comSide by side
| Figure | CKAN | Mod Organizer 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Mod managers | 8.8 (#4) | 8.5 (#10) |
| Spec score · Game Mod Managers | 8.8 (#5) | 8.6 (#9) |
| Automatic updates | Yes | Yes |
| Conflict detection | Yes | Yes |
| Deployment method | copy | virtual |
| License | The project describes CKAN as open source and MIT-licensed. | The repository uses the GPL-3.0 license. |
| Mod source access | built-in | built-in |
| Purpose | CKAN is a repository of Kerbal Space Program mod metadata and tools for finding, installing, and managing mods. | Mod Organizer is a tool for managing mod collections of arbitrary size and installing or uninstalling mods. |
| Support | The project directs users to troubleshooting documentation, GitHub issues, and its Discord server for help with the client. | Issues are reported through the GitHub page or the open Discord server, which is also used for dev-build testing, bug investigation and suggestions. |
| Supported platforms | multi-platform | windows |
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.
Mod Organizer 2
Mod Organizer 2 is a free, open-source Windows tool for managing game mod collections through a virtualized setup. It supports installing and uninstalling mods, organizing profiles, detecting conflicts, and automatic updates. The project describes it as a tool for people who experiment with mods and says it can handle collections of arbitrary size. Supported games include 64-bit titles such as Skyrim Special Edition and Fallout 4, along with the 32-bit games supported by Mod Organizer 1. Its basic games plugin can detect installations from Steam, GOG, Origin, Epic Games or Legendary, and EA Desktop. A mod data checker can identify and correct archive layouts for automatic installation. Downloads are available through GitHub Releases and Nexus Mods; the installer can also create a portable installation. Version 2.5.0 requires Windows 10 1809 or newer, or Windows 11. The virtual filesystem does not work with Windows Store or Gamepass packaging, so those versions of otherwise supported games are not usable. The community-maintained project is licensed under GPL-3.0.