Side by side
GameNetworkingSockets vs Netcode for GameObjects
Both stand on game networking middleware. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Choose GameNetworkingSockets when a game needs a cross-platform UDP transport layer, peer-to-peer options, or built-in network diagnostics. Look elsewhere if the project needs higher-level entity serialization, delta encoding, or compression included in the library. Steam-only services such as authentication, signaling, and Steam Datagram Relay also depend on Steam.
Visit GameNetworkingSocketsNetcode for GameObjects provides synchronization and scene management for Unity multiplayer projects. Its intended scope is smaller-player-count games, and developers must supply matchmaking and a full prediction-and-reconciliation system themselves.
Visit Netcode for GameObjectsThe facts
| GameNetworkingSockets | Netcode for GameObjects | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | API, iPhone, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Windows | Android, iPhone, Linux, Mac, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | github.com | docs.unity.com |
| On game networking middleware | #4 of 29 | #8 of 29 |
GameNetworkingSockets: what it does well
- Carries reliable and unreliable messages over UDP.
- Handles oversized messages with fragmentation and reassembly.
- Offers AES-GCM-256 packet encryption and Curve25519 key exchange.
- Supports NAT traversal through Google WebRTC ICE.
- Includes latency and packet-loss simulation tools.
What to know first
- Does not include entity serialization, state delta encoding, or compression.
- Steam Datagram Relay access is restricted.
- Console and mobile code access requires contacting Valve.
Netcode for GameObjects: what it does well
- Supports client- or server-authoritative networking
- Synchronizes scenes across connected clients
- Uses Unity Transport by default
- Free Unity package
What to know first
- Requires a valid Unity account and license
- Does not include matchmaking
- Full prediction and reconciliation must be built
Alternatives to GameNetworkingSockets Alternatives to Netcode for GameObjects The whole list