Photon Engine provides multiplayer networking products and infrastructure for developing and running real-time multiplayer games and applications. Its SDKs are described as compatible with Unity, Unreal Engine, and native C/C++. Fusion provides state synchronization with tick-based simulation, client-side prediction, and snapshot interpolation. Quantum is a deterministic multiplayer engine that predicts and rolls back physics and inputs. The Realtime API offers rooms, lobbies, matchmaking, region selection, message relay, and cloud webhooks. Photon Voice uses the Opus codec and has server-side integrations with GGWP, Voice Patrol, and ToxMod by Modulate; Photon Chat supports public and private messaging, reliable delivery, encryption, and per-channel buffers. Plans are measured by concurrent connected users across an application, and traffic beyond an allowance incurs overage fees. Free options include development-only use for 20 connected users and a games-only plan for 100. The 100 CCU plan is 95.00 USD per once, billed for 12 months. Photon says its Cloud operations team monitors servers 24/7 and hosting is available across major regions. PUN 2 remains in maintenance and long-term support, with no further feature updates planned.
Who it is for
Photon suits developers building real-time multiplayer games or applications who need networking, matchmaking, voice, or chat tools. Its listed SDK compatibility includes Unity, Unreal Engine, and native C/C++.
What is good
- Fusion includes prediction and snapshot interpolation.
- Realtime API includes matchmaking and cloud webhooks.
- Voice and chat products are available.
- Free options cover 20 or 100 connected users.
What to know first
- Traffic above plan allowances incurs overage fees.
- The 100 CCU plan is billed for 12 months.
- PUN 2 has no further feature updates planned.
Verdict
Photon offers several networking approaches alongside voice and chat products for multiplayer development. Compare connected-user allowances and overage terms, and note the stated maintenance status of PUN 2.
Photon Engine plans and pricing
All plansCompared on game backend services
- Free plan
- Yes
- Multiplayer networking
- Yes
- Player accounts
- Yes
- Matchmaking
- Yes
- Cloud data
- Yes
- Live-ops tools
- Yes
- Deployment model
- hybrid
