Photon Server
Photon Server is a paid, on-premises real-time socket server and cross-platform multiplayer framework.
What Photon Server is
Photon Server is a paid, on-premises real-time socket server and cross-platform multiplayer framework. Teams host and configure the backend on machines they choose, using C# server applications as supplied or customized. Its client-server network model supports matchmaking and reliable UDP, binary TCP, HTTP, WebSocket, and Secure WebSocket transport. The C# framework maps RPC calls to operation instances and uses message passing through fibers for threading tasks. Developers can debug with Visual Studio; the documentation also lists Redgate and JetBrains tools. Photon Server does not include a persistence layer, although SQL and NoSQL databases usable through .NET on Windows are listed. LoadBalancing (MyCloud) works with Photon Cloud and is recommended for PUN, Photon Voice, or Photon Realtime clients. Authentication options include custom providers and Epic EOS, Facebook, Oculus, Steam, and VIVEPORT. Secure WebSockets can use TLS certificates. A valid license is required, available only to Industries Circle members, with agreed server and CCU limits and one application per license. Pricing starts at $500/mo.
Good
- On-premises hosting on machines your team chooses
- Supports reliable UDP, TCP, HTTP, and WebSockets
- C# source can be used or customized
- Includes matchmaking and cross-platform game clients
- Offers custom and named authentication providers
Watch out
- No built-in persistence layer
- Requires a valid license
- Licenses are limited to Industries Circle members
- License terms restrict servers, CCU, and applications
Who it suits
It suits teams wanting to run and configure their own multiplayer backend on Windows and .NET/C# environments. It is intended for shared game sessions requiring matchmaking, custom server code, and multiple transport protocols.
Verdict
Photon Server provides a configurable, self-hosted multiplayer backend with broad transport and authentication support. Its licensing requirements, lack of persistence, and starting price of $500/mo are important planning constraints.
Plans and prices
From Photon Server's own pricing page, checked 7 Oct 2001.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Photon Server license | Priced on request | Licenses available to Industries Circle members · agreed server and CCU limits apply |
The facts
Each one read from Photon Server's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Authentication
- The documentation lists custom authentication and providers including Epic EOS, Facebook, Oculus, Steam, and VIVEPORT.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Custom backend
- The server applications provide frameworks for building and running a multiplayer game backend, with C# source code that can be used as provided or customized.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Development framework
- Its C# server framework maps RPC calls to operation instances and uses message passing through fibers to handle threading tasks.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Development tools
- Photon Server can be debugged in Visual Studio and the documentation also lists Redgate and JetBrains development tools.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Integrations
- The SDK's LoadBalancing (MyCloud) application is compatible with Photon Cloud and is the recommended setup for clients using PUN, Photon Voice, or Photon Realtime.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Intended users
- Photon describes Server as an on-premises option for teams that want to host and configure their own multiplayer backend on machines they choose.checked 7 Oct 2001
- License limits
- The license terms restrict use to the agreed server count and CCU per server, and limit each server license to one application.checked 7 Oct 2001
- License requirement
- Photon Server requires a valid license to run, and the comparison page says licenses can be bought by Industries Circle members only.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Persistence limitation
- Photon Server does not provide a persistence layer, though the documentation lists SQL and NoSQL databases usable through .NET on Windows.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Protocols
- The core supports reliable UDP, binary TCP, WebSockets, and secure WebSockets.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Purpose
- Photon Server is an on-premises real-time socket server and cross-platform multiplayer game development framework for connecting players and exchanging data in shared game sessions.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Security
- Secure WebSocket connections can be configured with TLS certificates, with the documentation recommending certificates signed by a trusted certificate authority for production.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Support
- Photon provides a public Discord community, general email contact, and a support form available after logging in.checked 7 Oct 2001
The company
- Company
- Exit Games was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Hamburg, Germany.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Founded
- 2003checked 28 Sep 2001
- Headquarters
- Hamburg, Germanychecked 28 Sep 2001
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