OpenTTD vs Simutrans
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?
OpenTTD
Open-source transport simulation game with servers
VS
Simutrans
Open-source transport and economy simulation game
| Feature | OpenTTD | Simutrans |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Game Servers | Game Servers |
| License | GPL-2.0 | Artistic-1.0 |
| Language | C++ | C++ |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 256 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal, binary, source | binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 8,150 | ★ 93 |
| First released | 2004 | 1999 |
| Replaces | Transport Tycoon | Transport Tycoon |
Why pick each one
Choose Simutrans if…
- Released under the Artistic-1.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- Written in C++
- Lightweight — runs in 512 MB RAM
Frequently asked questions
Is OpenTTD or Simutrans better?
Neither is universally better. OpenTTD has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are OpenTTD and Simutrans free and open-source?
Yes. OpenTTD is licensed under GPL-2.0 and Simutrans under Artistic-1.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run OpenTTD and Simutrans with Docker?
OpenTTD: yes. Simutrans: check the project docs for container support.