MelonLoader
Ranked in Game Mod Loaders ·Free plan
About
MelonLoader is a free mod loader for Unity games that use Mono or Il2Cpp. It loads mods and plugins, with separate Mods and Plugins folders in a game's installation directory; listed capabilities include load-order control and dependency handling. The project provides an installer guide and instructions for manual installation from a release archive. For Il2Cpp games, it lists the .NET 6.0 Desktop Runtime as a requirement and says Windows installs it automatically. Windows loading uses a proxy DLL at game startup, a method the project identifies as Windows-only. Linux guidance covers WINE, Steam Proton, and native use, while Android and Oculus Quest support remains work in progress. MelonLoader writes game logs to a MelonLoader/Logs folder. Debug mode is intended to support development and debugging of the loader, plugins, and mods. Its configuration includes a Mono debug server, and the Il2Cpp Assembly Generator can be set to work without contacting the remote API. The project is licensed under Apache License, Version 2.0.
Who it is for
It suits Unity game modders and plugin developers working with Mono or Il2Cpp. Android and Oculus Quest users should note that support is marked as work in progress.
What is good
- Supports Unity games using Mono or Il2Cpp.
- Supports plugins, load-order control, and dependencies.
- Offers installer and manual installation guidance.
- Il2Cpp Assembly Generator can run without its remote API.
What to know first
- Android and Oculus Quest support is work in progress.
- Windows proxy-DLL loading is Windows-only.
- Il2Cpp games require the .NET 6.0 Desktop Runtime.
Verdict
MelonLoader provides a free route to load mods and plugins in Unity games, with installation guidance and debugging options. Platform support differs: Android and Oculus Quest remain in progress, and its proxy-DLL method applies only to Windows.
Compared on game mod loaders
- Free plan
- Yesgithub.com
- Supported games
- Unity games using Mono or Il2Cppgithub.com
- Supported platforms
- Windows, Linux (WINE/Steam Proton/native), macOS, Android and Oculus Quest (WIP)github.com
- Mod loading method
- injectiongithub.com
- Plugin support
- Yesgithub.com
- Load-order control
- Yesgithub.com
- Dependency handling
- Yesgithub.com
Facts
- Purpose
- MelonLoader describes itself as a universal mod loader for Unity games compatible with both Il2Cpp and Mono.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Mods and plugins
- The repository instructions place mods in a Mods folder and plugins in a Plugins folder in the game installation directory.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Development
- Debug mode is intended to help develop and debug MelonLoader, plugins, and mods.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Game logs
- MelonLoader writes logs to a MelonLoader/Logs folder in the game's installation directory.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Install options
- The repository links to an installer guide and provides instructions for manual installation from a release archive.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Il2Cpp requirement
- For Il2Cpp games, the listed requirement is the .NET 6.0 Desktop Runtime, which the page says is installed automatically on Windows.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Linux support
- The repository links to a Linux support guide covering WINE, Steam Proton, and native use.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Android status
- The repository links to Android and Oculus Quest support marked as work in progress.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Windows proxy
- MelonLoader uses a proxy DLL to load at game startup, and the repository says this mechanism applies only to Windows.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Debugging configuration
- The configuration includes a Mono debug server with a default listen address of 127.0.0.1 and port 55555.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Offline option
- The Il2Cpp Assembly Generator can be configured to run without contacting the remote API.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
- License
- The repository states MelonLoader is licensed under Apache License, Version 2.0.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Third-party dependencies
- The repository lists HarmonyX and MonoMod among its third-party libraries and identifies both as MIT licensed.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Community and support
- The repository links to the Official Wiki and an official Discord invite.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
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Where it ranks on Inferse
- Best Game Mod Loaders in 2026#5 of 25
Sources
- github.com/LavaGang/MelonLoader· checked 30 Sept 2026