Photon Quantum vs Unity
Photon Quantum
photonengine.com
Unity
unity.comSide by side
| Figure | Photon Quantum | Unity |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $0.50/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 8 | 8 |
| Spec score · Game Networking Middleware | 8.1 (#13) | 8.6 (#4) |
| Headquarters | Hamburg, Germany | San Francisco, California, United States |
| Product | Photon Quantum is a deterministic ECS framework for Unity online multiplayer games, listed for up to 128 players. | Unity Engine is game and app development software for creating video games and immersive experiences from CAD and 3D data. |
| Support | Free plans include online documentation, samples, tutorials, video streams, and help with account and billing matters; Gaming Circle offers premium development support. | Unity directs users to its Issue Tracker and Editor bug reporting flow, while Pro includes expedited customer support and Enterprise includes dedicated support. |
Plans
Photon Quantum
- Development Only 20 CCUFree
- Free 100 CCUFree
- Premium Cloud$0.50 a month
- 100 CCU$95, paid once
- 500 CCU$125 a month
- 1000 CCU$250 a month
- 2000 CCU$500 a month
- Enterprise CloudPriced on request
Unity
- Free tierFree
- Pay-as-you-goPrice not published
- Pay-as-you-goPriced on request
- Unity PersonalFree
- Unity Pro$210 a month
- Unity Pro$2,310 a year
- Unity EnterprisePriced on request
- Unity IndustryPriced on request
In their own words
Photon Quantum
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.