Renet

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What Renet is

Renet is a free, open-source Rust networking library for the client and server sides of multiplayer games, with a focus on fast-paced competitive play. Its client-server model provides reliable ordered, reliable unordered, and unreliable message channels, letting developers select delivery behavior for different traffic. The library also handles packet fragmentation and reassembly. Authentication and encryption are available through renet_netcode, and developers can customize the transport and authentication layer. The renet_steam crate provides Steam transport and authentication using steamworks-rs. Bevy projects can use bevy_renet, a plugin that adds systems for updating Renet clients and servers. The project also links renet_visualizer, an egui plugin for plotting client and server metrics. Its README describes an API intended to integrate with different code bases, and the repository includes a chat demo showing client self-hosting. A server example sets max_clients to 64. Matchmaking is not supported. GitHub lists Apache-2.0 and MIT licenses.

Who it suits

Renet is for developers building multiplayer games in Rust, including teams using Bevy or Steam transport. It suits projects that need configurable message delivery and networking primitives rather than built-in matchmaking.

What it does well

Offers reliable ordered, reliable unordered, and unreliable channels.
Handles packet fragmentation and reassembly.
renet_netcode provides authentication and encryption.
Steam transport and authentication are available through renet_steam.
Bevy plugin and egui metrics visualizer are linked.

What to know first

Matchmaking is not supported.
A server example sets a maximum of 64 clients.
The library is oriented to Rust development.

Limits

Renet does not provide matchmaking. The server example sets max_clients to 64.

Getting started

Open the Renet GitHub repository
Add Renet to a Rust project
Choose the required message-channel delivery modes
Configure renet_netcode or a custom transport and authentication layer
Add renet_steam for Steam or bevy_renet for Bevy when needed
Use the visualizer or chat demo as applicable

Verdict

Renet provides core client-server messaging and packet handling, with optional Steam and Bevy integrations. Teams needing matchmaking will need to address that separately.

Questions

What does Renet cost?

Renet is free and open source.

Which environments does it support?

Supported platforms are Rust and Bevy.

Does it include matchmaking?

No. Matchmaking is not supported.

Which transports are available?

The listed transport protocols are UDP and Steam.

What licenses cover the repository?

GitHub lists Apache-2.0 and MIT licenses. The MIT terms permit use, copying, modification, distribution, sublicensing, and sale under their conditions.

Can it secure multiplayer traffic?

The README describes authentication and encryption through renet_netcode, with cryptographically secure authentication and encrypted packets described for Bevy Renet.

Facts from Renet's own pages

Authentication: The README describes authentication and encryption through renet_netcode, and says the transport and authentication layer can be customized. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Authentication and encryption: The README says authentication and encryption are provided through renet_netcode, and the transport and authentication layer can be customized. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Bevy: The project links a Bevy plugin for using Renet with the Bevy engine. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Bevy integration: The bevy_renet crate is a Bevy plugin that adds systems to update Renet clients and servers. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Example capacity: The server example sets max_clients to 64. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
License: The GitHub repository lists Apache-2.0 and MIT licenses. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Licenses: GitHub lists Apache-2.0 and MIT licenses for the repository. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Maker: The GitHub profile identifies Lucas Poffo as the creator and lists Brazil as their location. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Message delivery: Its message channels support reliable ordered, reliable unordered, and unreliable delivery. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Messaging: It supports reliable ordered, reliable unordered, and unreliable message channels. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
MIT terms: The MIT license grants permission to use, copy, modify, distribute, sublicense, and sell copies, subject to its terms, and provides the software as is without warranty. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Packet handling: The library supports packet fragmentation and reassembly. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Product: Renet is a Rust server/client networking library for multiplayer games, focused on fast-paced and competitive games. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Security detail: The Bevy Renet README describes cryptographically secure authentication and encrypted packets. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Self hosting: The repository includes a chat demo described as demonstrating client self hosting. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Steam: The README says renet_steam can be used for Steam transport and authentication. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Steam integration: The renet_steam crate provides Steam transport and authentication using steamworks-rs. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Usage: The README says Renet aims for a simple API that can be integrated with any code base. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Visualization: The project README points to renet_visualizer, an egui plugin for plotting metrics from Renet clients and servers. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Visualizer: The project links an egui plugin that plots metrics data from Renet clients and servers. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026

Where Renet stands on Freedom251

Game Networking Middleware#25 of 29