Mod Organizer 2 vs Wrye Bash
Mod Organizer 2
github.com
Wrye Bash
wrye-bash.github.ioSide by side
| Figure | Mod Organizer 2 | Wrye Bash |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Game Mod Managers | 8.6 (#9) | 8.3 (#17) |
| Spec score · Mod managers | 8.5 (#10) | 8.3 (#17) |
| Automatic updates | Yes | Yes |
| Conflict detection | Yes | Yes |
| Deployment method | virtual | copy |
| Downloads | The project provides downloads through GitHub Releases and Nexus Mods, with the installer usually preferred for ease of installation. | The project README lists Windows downloads through GitHub and NexusMods, and a Linux download through AUR. |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Game support | Mod Organizer 2 supports 64-bit games such as Skyrim Special Edition and Fallout 4, as well as the 32-bit games supported by MO1. | Supported titles include Morrowind, Oblivion, Fallout 3, Fallout 4, Fallout: New Vegas, Skyrim, Enderal, and Starfield; some titles are marked as early or partial support. |
| Software license | The repository uses the GPL-3.0 license. | Wrye Bash is released under GNU General Public License version 3 or later. |
| Mod installation | The basic games plugin includes a mod data checker that can check and fix different mod archive layouts for automatic installation. | Its BAIN installer manages mod packages, including compressed archives and uncompressed project folders. |
| Mod profiles | Yes | Yes |
| Mod source access | built-in | manual import |
| Purpose | Mod Organizer is a tool for managing mod collections of arbitrary size and installing or uninstalling mods. | Wrye Bash is a mod management utility for games based on Bethesda's Creation Engine. |
| Support | Issues are reported through the GitHub page or the open Discord server, which is also used for dev-build testing, bug investigation and suggestions. | The project directs questions to its AFK Mods forum topic or Wrye Bash Discord and asks bug reporters to provide a bug dump. |
| Supported platforms | windows | multi-platform |
Plans
In their own words
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.
Wrye Bash
Wrye Bash is a free mod management utility for games based on Bethesda’s Creation Engine. Its BAIN installer handles mod packages in compressed archives or uncompressed project folders, with sources imported manually. It can create profiles, detect conflicts, and manage plugin load order; it can also repair an invalid load order when starting or refreshing. Its Bashed Patch feature automatically merges compatible mods to help lift the 255-plugin limit. Other tools manage INI and settings tweaks, screenshots, saves, and application launchers. Supported titles include Morrowind, Oblivion, Fallout 3, Fallout 4, Fallout: New Vegas, Skyrim, Enderal, and Starfield, though some have early or partial support. Windows downloads are available through GitHub and NexusMods, with a Linux download through AUR. The project says it runs on WINE since version 306, with some hiccups. Running the latest development code requires a supported game and 64-bit Python 3.11; 32-bit operating systems are no longer supported. It is released under GNU General Public License version 3 or later.