SmartFoxServer
SmartFoxServer is a client/server SDK for building real-time multiplayer games, MMOs, virtual communities, and other shared experiences.
What SmartFoxServer is
SmartFoxServer is a client/server SDK for building real-time multiplayer games, MMOs, virtual communities, and other shared experiences. It supports clients built with 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. Its networking options include reliable UDP with configurable quality of service and multiple delivery modes. Teams can build server-side extensions in Java, Kotlin, Scala, or Groovy. The server also provides real-time metrics, performance history, an expanded AdminTool, database connectivity and pooling, protocol compression, HTTP tunneling, and an embedded HTTP server. Strict Mode disconnects requests that do not meet its protocol rules. The Community Edition is free without a time limit, supports up to 100 concurrent users, and permits commercial use with a readable Powered by SmartFoxServer notice. Licenses include one month of direct email support, with ongoing forum support.
Good
- Community Edition allows commercial use.
- Supports Unity, Godot, HTML5, iOS, and Android clients.
- Provides reliable UDP and multiple delivery modes.
- Includes analytics, performance history, and an AdminTool.
- Supports database connectivity and pooling.
Watch out
- Free edition is limited to 100 concurrent users.
- Commercial licenses limit concurrent users.
- Each license covers one server machine.
- Real-time audio streaming currently supports only .NET clients.
Who it suits
It suits developers building multiplayer games or other multiuser services who need server-side extensions, analytics, and database connectivity. The free edition may suit projects with up to 100 concurrent users that can display the required notice.
Verdict
SmartFoxServer combines multiplayer networking, server-side extension options, analytics, and database features. Check the concurrent-user and single-machine license limits, and note that live audio is currently limited to .NET clients.
Plans and prices
From SmartFoxServer's own pricing page, checked 2 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Community Edition | Free | 100 concurrent users · Full features · Commercial use allowed with readable Powered by SmartFoxServer notice · Free, without time limits |
| Elastic license | €32.50 a month | 500 CCU starting point · One server machine per license · Optional addons · Starting from 32.50€/month for 500 CCU; charged daily from prepaid, rechargeable credit |
| Perpetual license | €650, paid once | 500 CCU starting point · One server machine per license · License never expires · Starting from 650€ for 500 CCU |
The facts
Each one read from SmartFoxServer's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Analytics and administration
- SFS3 includes real-time analytics with live metrics, an expanded AdminTool, and persistent performance history.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Database integration
- The platform overview says SmartFoxServer provides integrated database connectivity and an optimized database pooling system.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Extensions
- Server-side extensions can be developed in Java, Kotlin, Scala, and Groovy; server-side JavaScript may be reintroduced later.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Game engine and client support
- The platform overview names Unity, Godot, HTML5, iOS, Android, and Adobe Flash among supported client technologies.checked 2 Oct 2026
- License limits
- Commercial SFS3 licenses apply a concurrent-user limit, and each license is valid for one server machine.checked 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.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Networking
- SFS3 includes reliable UDP with configurable quality of service, multiple channels, and reliable/ordered, unreliable/ordered, and raw UDP options.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- SmartFoxServer is a client/server SDK for building real-time multiplayer games, MMOs, virtual communities, and other multiuser experiences.checked 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.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Security
- SFS3 Strict Mode applies stricter protocol rules and disconnects nonconforming requests to deter bots, scrapers, or hacked clients.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Server runtimes
- SmartFoxServer 3 is built on Java 25 LTS and uses the BitSwarm Engine 4.0 TCP/UDP socket engine.checked 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.checked 2 Oct 2026
The company
- Company
- The platform overview identifies gotoAndPlay() as the Italian company behind SmartFoxServer and says it has more than 20 years of experience.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 1999checked 23 Sep 2026
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