netcode.io vs Normcore

netcode.io is a free, open-source client/server protocol for real-time multiplayer games. It uses UDP to exchange unreliable, unordered packets without TCP head-of-line blocking. Game backends can issue connect tokens that authorize clients, while servers assign connecting clients to configured slots and reject connections when slots are full. The protocol supports clean disconnects and timeouts for hard disconnects. Packets are encrypted and signed with libsodium, with protections described against crafted packets, replay attacks, and amplification attacks. IPv4 and IPv6 are supported, along with packet tagging intended to reduce Wi-Fi jitter. Implementations are listed for C, C#, Go, Rust, Unity, Unreal Engine 4, and TypeScript. Builds use CMake on Windows, macOS, and Linux, with CMake 3.16 or later and a vendored libsodium subset by default. The BSD 3-Clause project documents REST-based token requests and reports a nonce-reuse issue affecting versions 1.3.5 and earlier, fixed in 1.4.0.

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.