SmartFoxServer vs Unity
SmartFoxServer
smartfoxserver.com
Unity
unity.comSide by side
| Figure | SmartFoxServer | Unity |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | €32.50/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 | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 3 | 8 |
| Spec score · Game Networking Middleware | 8.0 (#16) | 8.6 (#4) |
| Spec score · Game Matchmaking Software | 8.0 (#19) | 8.7 (#10) |
| Spec score · Game Backend Services | 8.0 (#19) | 8.6 (#9) |
| Security | SFS3 Strict Mode applies stricter protocol rules and disconnects nonconforming requests to deter bots, scrapers, or hacked clients. | Unity says it regularly tests its services and securely stores and separates user assets; it also operates a responsible disclosure and bug bounty program. |
| Support | Licenses include one month of direct email support and continuing support through online forums; the maker also offers documentation, examples, and video tutorials. | Unity directs users to its Issue Tracker and Editor bug reporting flow, while Pro includes expedited customer support and Enterprise includes dedicated support. |
Plans
SmartFoxServer
- Community EditionFree
- Elastic license€32.50 a month
- Perpetual license€650, paid once
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
SmartFoxServer
SmartFoxServer is a client/server SDK for building real-time multiplayer games, MMOs, virtual communities, and other multiuser experiences. Its listed client technologies include Unity, Godot, HTML5, iOS, Android, and Adobe Flash. SmartFoxServer 3 runs on Java 25 LTS and uses the BitSwarm Engine 4.0 TCP/UDP socket engine. Networking includes reliable UDP with configurable quality of service, multiple channels, and reliable or unreliable delivery options. Server-side extensions can be written in Java, Kotlin, Scala, or Groovy. The server also provides real-time analytics, performance history, and an expanded AdminTool, along with database connectivity and pooling, protocol compression, HTTP tunneling, and an embedded HTTP server. Strict Mode disconnects requests that do not follow stricter protocol rules. The Community Edition is free without a time limit, permits commercial use with a readable Powered by SmartFoxServer notice, and supports 100 concurrent users. Paid licenses start at €32.50 a month for 500 concurrent users; each license applies to one server machine.