BepInEx

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Score7.1

Rank#3 of 25

PriceFree

Free planYes

Runs onLinux, macOS, Windows

Summary

BepInEx is a free, open-source plugin and modding framework for Unity Mono, Unity IL2CPP, and .NET Framework games, including those built with XNA, FNA, and MonoGame. It provides configuration and logging, runtime method patching, and in-memory assembly patching. Runtime patching uses Harmony, including HarmonyX and MonoMod; in-memory patching uses Mono.Cecil with UnityDoorstop. The installation guide lists Windows, Linux, and macOS, though supported versions and architectures vary by build and game. Setup is manual: download the correct build and place its contents in the game’s root folder. Official binaries are available as stable and bleeding edge builds; the documentation recommends stable builds in most cases and notes that bleeding edge builds tend to be buggier. Compatibility has limits: only Unity Mono has stable releases, and BepInEx 6 documentation is work in progress. BepInEx 5 is in long-term support, and its plugins do not yet work with the BepInEx 6.0.0 pre-release. User and developer guides cover setup, configuration, troubleshooting, and plugin development.

Who it is for

BepInEx suits players modding supported games and developers building game plugins. It is for users comfortable with manual installation and checking build compatibility.

What is good

Supports Windows, Linux, and macOS.
Includes configuration and logging tools.
Provides runtime and in-memory patching.
Open source under the LGPL-2.1 license.

What to know first

Installation requires manual file placement.
Only Unity Mono has stable releases.
BepInEx 6 documentation is work in progress.
BepInEx 5 plugins do not yet work with the 6.0.0 pre-release.

Verdict

BepInEx provides mod-loading and patching capabilities across several game technologies, with guides for both users and plugin developers. Check the game’s engine and build compatibility, especially when choosing between BepInEx 5 and the BepInEx 6 pre-release.

BepInEx plans and pricing

All plans

BepInEx Free open source · manual installation · stable and bleeding edge builds github.com · 30 Sept 2026

Compared on game mod loaders

Free plan: Yesgithub.com
Supported platforms: Windows, macOS, Linuxgithub.com
Mod loading method: injectiongithub.com
Plugin support: Yesgithub.com
Load-order control: Yesgithub.com
Dependency handling: Yesgithub.com

Facts

Purpose: BepInEx is a plugin and modding framework for Unity Mono, Unity IL2CPP, and .NET Framework games, including XNA, FNA, and MonoGame.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Features: It provides drop-in installation, built-in configuration and logging, runtime method patching, and in-memory assembly patching.docs.bepinex.dev · 30 Sept 2026
Patching integrations: Runtime patching uses Harmony, including HarmonyX and MonoMod, while in-memory assembly patching uses Mono.Cecil with UnityDoorstop.docs.bepinex.dev · 30 Sept 2026
Game support: The documentation lists Unity 3 or newer and .NET Framework games such as XNA, FNA, and MonoGame as supported game engines.docs.bepinex.dev · 30 Sept 2026
Operating systems: The installation guide lists Windows, Linux, and macOS, with supported OS versions and architectures varying by build and game.docs.bepinex.dev · 30 Sept 2026
Installation: BepInEx is installed manually by downloading the correct build and placing its contents in the game's root folder.docs.bepinex.dev · 30 Sept 2026
Build channels: Official binaries are available as stable builds and bleeding edge builds; the docs say stable builds are recommended in most cases and bleeding edge builds tend to be buggier.docs.bepinex.dev · 30 Sept 2026
Compatibility limit: The repository says only Unity Mono has stable releases, and BepInEx 6 documentation is marked as work in progress.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Version limit: The release notes state that BepInEx 5 is in long-term support and that BepInEx 5 plugins do not yet work with the BepInEx 6.0.0 pre-release.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Related loaders: The repository lists loaders for BSIPA, IPA, MelonLoader, MonoMod, MuseDashModLoader, Partiality, Sybaris, UnityInjector, Unity Mod Manager, and uMod.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
License: The project is open source under the LGPL-2.1 license.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Support and guides: The project links to user and developer guides and a Discord server, and its documentation covers installation, configuration, troubleshooting, and plugin development.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Security: The GitHub repository's Security and quality page displays zero advisories.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Audience: The docs provide instructions for installing BepInEx and writing plugins, indicating it is intended for people modding games and developing game plugins.docs.bepinex.dev · 30 Sept 2026