G3M vs Vortex
G3M
github.comVortex
nexusmods.comSide by side
| Figure | G3M | Vortex |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Mod managers | 8.8 (#3) | 8.7 (#5) |
| Spec score · Game Mod Managers | 8.8 (#4) | 8.8 (#3) |
| Conflict detection | Yes | Yes |
| Deployment method | copy | link |
| Mod profiles | Yes | Yes |
| Mod source access | built-in | built-in |
| Profiles | Users can create multiple library profiles with separate active mod selections and profile-scoped settings. | Users can create and switch between independent mod profiles for different playthroughs. |
| Purpose | G3M is a desktop manager for GameMaker mods that can browse, install, organize, and launch supported games with mods. | Vortex is an open-source mod manager from Nexus Mods for installing and managing game mods. |
| Support | The project links to community help on Discord and Telegram. | Nexus Mods directs users to Vortex documentation, introductory videos, and its Vortex forums for help and questions. |
| Supported platforms | multi-platform | windows |
Plans
In their own words
G3M
G3M is a free, open-source desktop manager for GameMaker mods. It can browse supported GameBanana games and install mods from GameBanana, external URLs, local archives, or one-click links. Built-in game entries include DELTARUNE, DELTARUNE Demo, UNDERTALE, UNDERTALE Yellow, Pizza Tower, Sugary Spire, and FRICKBEARS3; users can also add custom games through its Game Manager.
Multiple library profiles can hold separate active mod selections and settings. The Mod Editor combines patches, file replacements, and archive contents, while other tools create and apply patches, merge patch sets, compare files, export diff reports, and convert supported formats. Supported games can launch directly or through Steam where available; Linux users can use PortProton for compatible Windows games. Its Catalog includes themes and plugins, including tools for DELTARUNE saves and custom save folders. Downloads are available for Windows, Linux, and macOS on x86_64 and ARM64 computers. The project states that normal launch mode restores game files after the game closes.
Vortex
Vortex is an open-source mod manager from Nexus Mods for installing and managing game mods. It connects to Nexus Mods so users can find, install, and play mods, while also surfacing new files and site news. Its feature page lists support for more than 30 games. Built-in sorting manages load orders, and plugin management features help address mod conflicts. Users can maintain separate profiles for different playthroughs, install curated collections, or create and share their own. Vortex can show available mod updates and update all mods at once. Its customizable interface brings together games, plugins, downloads, and save games, and community-created extensions and frameworks are supported. Health Check, introduced in Vortex 2.6, uses file-level requirements to identify and fix missing dependencies. Vortex is free and released under the GNU General Public License. The download page requires Windows 10 or later; versions 1.8 and later are unsupported on Windows 7, 8, and 8.1.