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BepInEx
What it is
BepInEx is a free, open-source framework for plugins and modding in Unity Mono and IL2CPP games, as well as .NET Framework games such as XNA, FNA, and MonoGame. It includes configuration and logging, runtime method patching, and in-memory assembly patching. Runtime patching uses Harmony integrations, including HarmonyX and MonoMod; assembly patching uses Mono.Cecil with UnityDoorstop. Installation is manual: download the correct build and put its contents in the game’s root folder. The project lists Windows, Linux, and macOS, though supported versions and architectures depend on the build and game. Stable and bleeding edge binaries are available; the documentation recommends stable builds in most cases and says bleeding edge builds tend to be buggier. Compatibility has limits: only Unity Mono has stable releases, and BepInEx 6 documentation is still 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 installation, configuration, troubleshooting, and plugin development.
For and against
For
- Free and open source under LGPL-2.1.
- Includes configuration, logging, and runtime patching.
- Supports Windows, Linux, and macOS.
- User and developer guides are available.
Against
- Installation requires placing files in the game folder manually.
- Only Unity Mono has stable releases.
- BepInEx 5 plugins do not yet work with the 6.0.0 pre-release.
The verdict
BepInEx provides modding and plugin tools for several game technologies, with guides for setup and development. Check game and build compatibility before installing, and note the version gap between BepInEx 5 plugins and the 6.0.0 pre-release.
Who it suits
BepInEx suits people modding supported Unity or .NET Framework games, as well as developers writing game plugins. It is a fit for users comfortable with manual installation.
Plans and prices
BepInEx Free
Stable releases · bleeding-edge builds · Unity Mono, IL2CPP and .NET/XNA framework game targets
Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
BepInEx
open source · manual installation · stable and bleeding edge builds
Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Antivirus complaint
- A 2021 GitHub issue reports Norton deleting BepInEx.Preloader.dll as a threat, which the reporter associated with the loader's injection behavior.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Antivirus false positive
- A GitHub discussion records Gridinsoft flagging winhttp.dll and .doorstop_version in the 5.4.23.2 archive, with the reporter concluding it appeared benign after checking a related issue.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- API documentation
- The API reference documents namespaces for core plugin classes, configuration, paths, bootstrap access and logging.docs.bepinex.dev · read 15 Oct 2026
- Assembly patching
- Mono.Cecil and UnityDoorstop enable in-memory patching of game assemblies.docs.bepinex.dev · read 15 Oct 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 · read 30 Sep 2026
- BepInEx 6 limitation
- The BepInEx 6.0.0-pre.2 release warns that BepInEx 5 plugins do not yet work with it and that the prerelease has many issues.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Bleeding-edge builds
- The builds site publishes platform-specific archives for Windows, Linux and macOS Unity Mono and IL2CPP, plus .NET Framework and CoreCLR targets.builds.bepinex.dev · read 15 Oct 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 · read 30 Sep 2026
- Compatibility limit
- The repository says only Unity Mono has stable releases, and BepInEx 6 documentation is marked as work in progress.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Compatibility matrix
- The repository marks Unity Mono for Windows, macOS and Linux; Unity IL2CPP for Windows and Linux but not macOS; and .NET/XNA with Mono on macOS and Linux.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Configuration
- BepInEx includes a built-in configuration system for the framework and plugins.docs.bepinex.dev · read 15 Oct 2026
- Developer tooling
- The developer guide covers C# project setup, starter templates, logging, configuration files, preloader patchers and runtime method patching.docs.bepinex.dev · read 15 Oct 2026
- Drop-in installation
- The documentation lists drop-in installation as a core capability.docs.bepinex.dev · read 15 Oct 2026
- Ecosystem dependence
- PC Gamer says most Valheim mods require BepInEx and recommends installing its BepInExPack before additional mods.pcgamer.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Engine requirements
- Supported engines include Unity 3 or newer plus XNA, FNA, MonoGame and other .NET Framework engines.docs.bepinex.dev · read 15 Oct 2026
- Features
- It provides drop-in installation, built-in configuration and logging, runtime method patching, and in-memory assembly patching.docs.bepinex.dev · read 30 Sep 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 · read 30 Sep 2026
- Independent listing status
- SourceForge hosts an exact mirror, states it is not affiliated with BepInEx, and shows 430 downloads in the reported week.sourceforge.net · read 15 Oct 2026
