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.
OpenTTD
Open-source transport simulation game with servers
VS
Simutrans
Open-source transport and economy simulation game
| Feature | OpenTTD | Simutrans |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 89 · Excellent | 71 · Good |
| 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 | ★ 8,297 | ★ 100 |
| First released | 2004 | 1999 |
| Replaces | Transport Tycoon | Transport Tycoon |
What are OpenTTD and Simutrans?
OpenTTD
OpenTTD is a free, open-source business simulation game inspired by Transport Tycoon Deluxe. It includes a dedicated server mode for hosting multiplayer transport empire games.
- Dedicated multiplayer server
- Transport tycoon gameplay
- Extensive mod and NewGRF support
- Cross-platform
Simutrans
Simutrans is a free, open-source transport simulation game where players build networks of rail, road, and shipping routes. It includes a network mode for cooperative or competitive multiplayer.
- Transport network building
- Network multiplayer
- Pak-based content sets
- Cross-platform
OpenTTD vs Simutrans: key differences
Both projects are written in C++. Licensing differs — GPL-2.0 for OpenTTD versus Artistic-1.0 for Simutrans. OpenTTD is the lighter option, starting around 256 MB of RAM against 512 MB for Simutrans. Simutrans is the more established project (first released 1999), while OpenTTD arrived in 2004. OpenTTD has the considerably larger community, at 8,297 GitHub stars versus 100. OpenTTD lists first-class Docker deployment; Simutrans does not.
Why pick each one
Choose OpenTTD if…
- Very lightweight server
- Active modding community
Watch out for
- Niche genre
- Server setup is command-line
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.
Which is lighter on resources, OpenTTD or Simutrans?
OpenTTD has the smaller minimum footprint at 256 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for Simutrans. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.