VCMI vs shapez.io

A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted game servers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.

Not the right match-up?
FeatureVCMIshapez.io
CategoryGame ServersGame Servers
LicenseGPL-2.0GPL-3.0
LanguageC++JavaScript
Setup difficultyMediumEasy
Min. RAM512 MB256 MB
Deploymentbare-metal, binary, sourcebare-metal, source
GitHub stars★ 5,775★ 6,932
First released20072020
ReplacesHeroes of Might and Magic III originalFactorio

Why pick each one

Choose VCMI if…

  • Plays HoMM III everywhere
  • Active development
VCMI details

Choose shapez.io if…

  • Self-host the browser game
  • Lightweight
shapez.io details

Frequently asked questions

Is VCMI or shapez.io better?

shapez.io is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider VCMI if its specific feature set fits your needs better.

Are VCMI and shapez.io free and open-source?

Yes. VCMI is licensed under GPL-2.0 and shapez.io under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.

Can I run VCMI and shapez.io with Docker?

VCMI: check the project docs for container support. shapez.io: check the project docs for container support.

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