Photon Fusion vs Photon Quantum

Photon Fusion is a state-transfer netcode SDK for multiplayer games made with Unity, Unreal, and Godot. Its tick-based simulation supports client-side prediction and snapshot interpolation, while lag compensation addresses the delay between a client firing and the server registering a possible hit. Developers can choose full-consistency replication or eventual-consistency replication, which uses less bandwidth per object. Available network topologies include dedicated server, client host, and shared authority. Engine availability has qualifications: the product page lists all three engines, while documentation marks Unreal as early access and says Godot early access is available by contacting Photon. Dedicated-server use is described as a headless Unity build and requires third-party server orchestration at additional cost. Free plans include a 100-CCU option and a development-only option for 20 concurrent users. A one-time 100-CCU plan costs 95.00 USD for 12 months; monthly plans include 125.00 USD for 500 CCU. Premium Cloud is billed at 0.50 USD per CCU per month, with a 1,000 USD monthly minimum. All plans include online documentation, samples, tutorials, video streams, and help with account, billing, and service-status issues.

Photon Quantum is a deterministic ECS framework for Unity online multiplayer games, with sessions listed for up to 128 players. Clients exchange player input, predict other players’ inputs locally, then restore and resimulate game state when a prediction is wrong. Quantum separates simulation from presentation: Unity supplies editor tools and the view layer, while deterministic libraries cover math, 2D and 3D physics, navigation, animation, and bots. Photon Realtime transport and Photon server infrastructure synchronize clocks and manage input latency. Developers can extend the server component to connect customer-hosted services such as matchmaking, player services, and referee simulations. Quantum 3 webhooks support room control, configuration and player-data validation, and sending match replays to a configured endpoint. Free access includes development-only service for 20 connected users or a games-only option for 100. The 100 CCU plan costs 95.00 USD once for 12 months; the 500 CCU plan is $125 a month. The Quantum Plugin SDK requires Gaming Circle or Industries Circle membership. Photon Engine states it is ISO 27001:2022 certified.