CKAN vs Zephyr
CKAN
github.comZephyr
zephyr.prismo-studios.devSide by side
| Figure | CKAN | Zephyr |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 8.7 (#6) |
| Spec score · Game Mod Managers | 8.8 (#5) | 8.7 (#6) |
| Automatic updates | Yes | Yes |
| Deployment method | copy | copy |
| License | The project describes CKAN as open source and MIT-licensed. | Zephyr is open source and distributed under 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. | Zephyr is a desktop mod manager for browsing, installing, and switching game mod profiles. |
| Security | The project says it uses a free code-signing service and received a free code-signing certificate from the SignPath Foundation. | The maker says app-to-backend communications use HTTPS and refresh tokens are hashed before database storage. |
| Support | The project directs users to troubleshooting documentation, GitHub issues, and its Discord server for help with the client. | The documentation directs users to Discord for documentation issues and to GitHub Issues for app bugs. |
| 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.
Zephyr
Zephyr is a free desktop mod manager for browsing and installing mods, then switching between game mod profiles. It supports about 200 games out of the box and combines Thunderstore and CurseForge browsing in one search. Mods are deployed by copying them, and users can share a profile code or link so friends can reproduce a setup. Optional cloud sync requires signing in with Discord and enabling the feature. Zephyr also includes an Archipelago multiworld randomizer with Python bundled, a BepInEx configuration editor, and gamepad navigation throughout the interface. Customization includes seven themes, custom fonts and colors, and seven language options. The app is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, and is distributed under the GPL-3.0 license. The maker says that without sign-in, personal data stays on the device and mod metadata requests are anonymous. With cloud sync enabled, profile archives and metadata are stored with the maker's hosting provider in France. The Windows build is not code-signed and the macOS build is not notarized.