Thunderstore

Overview

Thunderstore is a mod catalog and publishing service for game players and mod developers. It suits players looking for mods across a broad range of supported games, especially on Windows, and developers who want tools for preparing packages. Its large catalog and dedicated manager make it a practical starting point, but Windows users must accept the Overwolf Client alongside the manager.

Key features

The catalog spans more than 110,000 mods across 300+ games, so Thunderstore can serve players whose games are covered without requiring a separate repository for every title. Coverage is broad, but the manager only supports particular games, so the catalog’s overall size does not guarantee a managed workflow for every game.

Thunderstore Mod Manager installs and updates mods, flags outdated mods for updating, and lets users edit mod configurations. Profiles and profile export help keep different setups organized and make them easier to carry between environments. Direct downloads and installs reduce the need to manage each mod manually; the main trade-off is that downloading the Windows manager also installs the Overwolf Client.

Developers get API and package-format documentation, a manifest validator, and a Markdown preview tool. These are useful for preparing and checking uploads, while the service’s focus remains game mods rather than a general-purpose software development workflow.

Authentication can use providers such as Discord, GitHub, and Overwolf. Thunderstore says it does not publicly expose associated GitHub or Discord details unless users explicitly request publication. Nonessential cookies require consent, and technical and usage data is generally retained for up to 30 days, with exceptions for legal or claims-related needs. DigitalOcean hosts the service, Cloudflare and GCore provide CDN services, and ad vendors may collect data through cookies.

Pricing

Thunderstore’s free plan costs 0.00 USD per free and includes access to over 110,000 mods across 300+ games. The service also supports dependency tracking, version history, and mod collections, with an upload size limit of 5 GB. That makes the free tier a substantial option for both browsing and publishing; there is no paid plan to compare for players who only need these capabilities.

Developers who upload mods need to account for the 5 GB file-size limit. Thunderstore uses Discord for mod-manager support, game requests, and requests to review rejected uploads. Its privacy notice identifies Riskidev Oy as the data controller.

Platforms

Thunderstore is available on the web and through an API. The Mod Manager is offered for Windows and installs with the Overwolf Client, so the web catalog is the more suitable route for readers who do not want to install that client or use Windows.

Who it's for

Thunderstore is best for Windows players whose games are supported and who want profiles, configuration editing, and mod updates in one manager. It also suits mod developers who need package documentation and validation tools. Players whose game is not supported by the manager, or who do not want the Overwolf Client, should look for a game-specific repository or another mod source.

Pros and cons

• Pros: A catalog of over 110,000 mods across 300+ games gives players a broad place to start.
• Pros: Profiles, export, configuration editing, and outdated-mod updates help manage more than one setup.
• Pros: API and package documentation, a manifest validator, and Markdown preview support mod publishing.
• Cons: The manager is for Windows and installs the Overwolf Client, an added requirement for players who want a dedicated mod manager.
• Cons: Manager support is limited to supported games, so a large overall catalog does not ensure every game has the same workflow.
• Cons: Uploads are capped at 5 GB.

Alternatives

Game Mod Repositories is the broader category to browse when you want to compare repositories beyond Thunderstore.

mod.io is worth considering when you need platforms including Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, or console support; console support requires an advanced service tier and platform approval, with custom pricing.

Factorio Mods is the more focused choice for Factorio players; its free portal requires a licensed Factorio copy and Factorio.com account to upload, with a verified purchase required for portal functionality.

GameBanana is a free, web-based alternative for readers who want a browser-accessible repository.

BeamNG.drive Repository is a free option for readers seeking a repository with Linux, web, and Windows platforms.

FICSIT.app is a free alternative with API, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows platforms.

Hive Workshop is a web-based freemium alternative; its Hero plan is 5.00 USD per month and adds rank icons and banner, a patron title, an EXP bar, a Discord role, and ad removal.

Farming Simulator ModHub is a free, game-specific repository for Farming Simulator content, including user-generated and creator-owned content.

ModWorkshop is another free, web-based alternative.

Verdict

Choose Thunderstore if your game is supported and you want a broad free mod catalog backed by a manager that handles profiles, installs, updates, and configuration edits. Its developer tools are a welcome addition for publishers. Look elsewhere if you need a manager outside Windows, want to avoid installing Overwolf, or need coverage for a game Thunderstore does not support.