CKAN vs RimModManager

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.

RimModManager is a free, open-source tool for organizing RimWorld mods across Steam, GOG, Proton, Wine, Flatpak, and standalone installations. It offers platform-specific detection, profiles, and drag-and-drop ordering, as well as search, filters, and dependency sorting. Mod activation uses symlinks and does not alter the mods themselves; for Proton and Wine, it uses copy mode instead. A conflict resolver identifies clashes and offers fix suggestions. Its built-in Steam Workshop browser supports queued and batch downloads, collection parsing, update checks, and subscriber and rating details. Workshop downloads require SteamCMD, though the wiki says anonymous downloads do not need a Steam login. Users can save and load profiles, with automatic backups before major changes, and import or export ModsConfig.xml. A text mod list with Workshop links can also be exported. RimModManager runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows. PyQt6-WebEngine is optional for its embedded Workshop browser. The wiki notes that collections of 500 or more mods may take time to scan.