Mod Organizer 2 vs Zephyr
Mod Organizer 2
github.comZephyr
zephyr.prismo-studios.devSide by side
| Figure | Mod Organizer 2 | Zephyr |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Game Mod Managers | 8.6 (#9) | 8.7 (#6) |
| Spec score · Mod managers | 8.5 (#10) | 8.7 (#6) |
| Automatic updates | Yes | Yes |
| Deployment method | virtual | copy |
| 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. | Zephyr supports about 200 games out of the box. |
| Software license | The repository uses the GPL-3.0 license. | Zephyr is open source and distributed under the GPL-3.0 license. |
| Mod profiles | Yes | Yes |
| Mod source access | built-in | built-in |
| Open source | The Mod Organizer repository is public and licensed under GPL-3.0. | The desktop application is released under the GPL-3.0 license. |
| Purpose | Mod Organizer is a tool for managing mod collections of arbitrary size and installing or uninstalling mods. | Zephyr is a desktop mod manager for browsing, installing, and switching game mod profiles. |
| 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 documentation directs users to Discord for documentation issues and to GitHub Issues for app bugs. |
| 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.
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.