OpenRA vs Sapphire Server
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted game engines & frameworks options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Not the right match-up?
OpenRA
Open-source remake of classic RTS games
VS
Sapphire Server
Open-source server emulator for Final Fantasy XIV
| Feature | OpenRA | Sapphire Server |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Game Engines & Frameworks | Game Engines & Frameworks |
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | C# | C++ |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Hard |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 2,048 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal, binary, source | bare-metal, docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 17,194 | ★ 819 |
| First released | 2010 | 2017 |
| Replaces | Command & Conquer, Red Alert | official FFXIV servers |
Why pick each one
Choose Sapphire Server if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Written in C++
Frequently asked questions
Is OpenRA or Sapphire Server better?
OpenRA is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler medium setup. Consider Sapphire Server if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are OpenRA and Sapphire Server free and open-source?
Yes. OpenRA is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Sapphire Server under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run OpenRA and Sapphire Server with Docker?
OpenRA: yes. Sapphire Server: yes.