SmartFoxServer

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What SmartFoxServer is

SmartFoxServer is a client/server SDK for building real-time multiplayer games, MMOs, virtual communities and other multiuser experiences. It supports clients using technologies including 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 features include reliable UDP with configurable quality of service, multiple channels and several reliable or unreliable delivery modes. Server-side extensions can be developed in Java, Kotlin, Scala or Groovy. The platform includes real-time metrics, persistent performance history and an expanded AdminTool, as well as database connectivity and pooling. Other listed features include protocol compression, HTTP tunneling and an embedded HTTP server. Strict Mode disconnects requests that do not follow its protocol rules. The free Community Edition has no time limit and supports 100 concurrent users, including commercial use with a readable Powered by SmartFoxServer notice. Paid licenses start at €32.50 a month for 500 concurrent users, and each license is valid for one server machine. Licenses include one month of direct email support, with continuing forum support.

Who it suits

SmartFoxServer suits developers building multiplayer games or other shared, real-time applications who need server-side extensions and networking options. Teams should account for concurrent-user limits and the one-machine-per-license condition on commercial licenses.

What it does well

Free Community Edition allows 100 concurrent users.
Commercial use is permitted on the free edition.
Supports several game clients and development technologies.
Server extensions support Java, Kotlin, Scala and Groovy.
Includes analytics and persistent performance history.

What to know first

Free edition requires a readable Powered by notice.
Paid licenses start at €32.50 a month.
Each license is valid for one server machine.
Live audio streaming currently supports only .NET clients.

Limits

The free Community Edition is limited to 100 concurrent users and requires a readable Powered by SmartFoxServer notice, including for commercial use. The starting paid elastic license covers 500 concurrent users and one server machine; the perpetual license also starts at 500 concurrent users and covers one machine.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Community Edition	Free, without time limits · 100 concurrent users · Full features · Commercial use allowed with readable Powered by SmartFoxServer notice	Free
Elastic license	Starting from 32.50€/month for 500 CCU; charged daily from prepaid, rechargeable credit · 500 CCU starting point · One server machine per license · Optional addons	€32.50 a month
Perpetual license	Starting from 650€ for 500 CCU · 500 CCU starting point · One server machine per license · License never expires	€650, paid once

As smartfoxserver.com lists them, read 2 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Visit the SmartFoxServer website.
Choose the Community Edition or a paid license.
Select a supported client technology, such as Unity, Godot, or HTML5.
Develop server-side extensions in Java, Kotlin, Scala, or Groovy if needed.
Deploy on a server machine; each commercial license covers one machine.

Verdict

SmartFoxServer offers multiplayer server features, multiple client technologies and a free edition with a 100-user limit. Its per-machine licensing and current .NET-only live-audio support are important constraints to weigh.

Questions

Is SmartFoxServer free?

Yes. The Community Edition is free without a time limit and supports 100 concurrent users. Commercial use is allowed with a readable Powered by SmartFoxServer notice.

What do paid licenses cost?

The elastic license starts at €32.50 per month for 500 concurrent users. The perpetual license starts at €650 once for 500 concurrent users.

Which client technologies does it support?

The platform overview names Unity, Godot, HTML5, iOS, Android, and Adobe Flash. SmartFoxServer is also listed for Android, iOS, web, Windows, Linux, and macOS.

Can it stream live audio?

SmartFoxServer 3 supports real-time live audio streaming for .NET clients. Support for other clients is planned for later updates.

Who makes SmartFoxServer?

The platform overview identifies the Italian company gotoAndPlay() as its maker.

What support is included?

Licenses include one month of direct email support. Continuing support is available through online forums, and the maker provides documentation, examples, and video tutorials.

Facts from SmartFoxServer's own pages

Analytics and administration: SFS3 includes real-time analytics with live metrics, an expanded AdminTool, and persistent performance history. · smartfoxserver.com, 2 Oct 2026
Company: The platform overview identifies gotoAndPlay() as the Italian company behind SmartFoxServer and says it has more than 20 years of experience. · smartfoxserver.com, 2 Oct 2026
Database integration: The platform overview says SmartFoxServer provides integrated database connectivity and an optimized database pooling system. · smartfoxserver.com, 2 Oct 2026
Extensions: Server-side extensions can be developed in Java, Kotlin, Scala, and Groovy; server-side JavaScript may be reintroduced later. · smartfoxserver.com, 2 Oct 2026
Founded: 1999 · smartfoxserver.com, 23 Sept 2026
Game engine and client support: The platform overview names Unity, Godot, HTML5, iOS, Android, and Adobe Flash among supported client technologies. · smartfoxserver.com, 2 Oct 2026
License limits: Commercial SFS3 licenses apply a concurrent-user limit, and each license is valid for one server machine. · smartfoxserver.com, 2 Oct 2026
Network and web features: The platform overview lists an optimized protocol with automatic compression, HTTP tunneling for clients behind proxies and firewalls, and an embedded HTTP server for web content. · smartfoxserver.com, 2 Oct 2026
Networking: SFS3 includes reliable UDP with configurable quality of service, multiple channels, and reliable/ordered, unreliable/ordered, and raw UDP options. · smartfoxserver.com, 2 Oct 2026
Purpose: SmartFoxServer is a client/server SDK for building real-time multiplayer games, MMOs, virtual communities, and other multiuser experiences. · smartfoxserver.com, 2 Oct 2026
Real-time audio limit: SFS3 supports real-time live audio streaming, currently only for .NET clients, with other client support planned for later updates. · smartfoxserver.com, 2 Oct 2026
Security: SFS3 Strict Mode applies stricter protocol rules and disconnects nonconforming requests to deter bots, scrapers, or hacked clients. · smartfoxserver.com, 2 Oct 2026
Server runtimes: SmartFoxServer 3 is built on Java 25 LTS and uses the BitSwarm Engine 4.0 TCP/UDP socket engine. · smartfoxserver.com, 2 Oct 2026
Support: Licenses include one month of direct email support and continuing support through online forums; the maker also offers documentation, examples, and video tutorials. · smartfoxserver.com, 2 Oct 2026