FishNet vs Normcore

FishNet is a networking solution for Unity games using a client-server model and a server-authoritative design. It supports dedicated servers, while developers can also run a server and client together for development and testing. Users may choose a host, including self-hosting or player-hosted servers, and the free plan has no CCU caps or paywalls. Its high-level API synchronizes state, logic, and objects; events and inheritance provide lower-level functionality. Built-in client-side prediction includes desynchronization smoothing and Rigidbody prediction, and Addressables support covers network scenes and prefabs. Other listed tools include buffered remote calls, area-of-interest controls, configurable SyncTypes, tick-based timing, and broadcasts. Customizable authenticators can require client authentication before server communication. Communication is unencrypted by default; FishyUnityTransport can enable DTLS for UDP or TLS for WebSocket. FishNet costs nothing. FishNet Pro costs $50, paid once and adds lag compensation and automatic removal of sensitive server logic from client builds. The documentation says prediction collider components currently support primitive shapes such as boxes, spheres, and circles.

Normcore is a networking solution for Unity multiplayer applications. It provides networked physics, persistent spaces, voice chat and XR support, with EasySync for synchronizing properties without code; that component can also be converted to a C# RealtimeComponent. Voice over IP and audio streaming can be added to a prefab using a Unity component. For Unity WebGL builds, it supports multiplayer and voice chat through WebRTC without code modifications. The service is aimed at desktop, console, mobile, VR, AR and WebGL projects, with game servers across cloud providers that select regions based on client latency. Normcore Private offers deployment on dedicated cloud servers or on-premises hardware, with support for custom server-side C# or C++ plugins. Its Public plan is free and includes 100 room hours and 120GB of bandwidth per month. Pro costs $49 a month and includes 10,000 room hours and 3TB of bandwidth. Unlimited costs $49 a month plus usage beyond 10,000 room hours and 3TB of bandwidth.