SmartFoxServer 3

Introduction

SmartFoxServer 3 (aka SFS3) expands the capabilities of its predecessor (SmartFoxServer 2X) with a host of important new features, support for the latest Java runtime, improved performance, new API and management tools:

  • Built on Java 25 LTS: leverages the latest Java features for performance and scalability
  • BitSwarm Engine 4.0: updated TCP/UDP socket engine with new architecture supporting virtual threads and multiple UDP channels
  • Simplified architecture: virtual threads take care of scalability complexity, making SFS3 easier to use and configure. The default settings are ready for production.
  • Improved protocol: less overhead and more efficient serializer provides even higher throughput than its predecessor (typically 10-15%, higher on larger data structures)
  • Reliable UDP: low-latency, multi-channel implementation with configurable quality of service (QoS). Provides both reliable/ordered and unreliable/ordered options, in addition to raw UDP
  • Real-time live audio streaming: allows in-game chats, messenger type applications and more. Currently supported only by .Net clients. More support will come with later updates
  • New data types: supported across the board in SFSObject/Array and User/Room/Buddy Variables
  • New logging system: now based on Logback
  • New and faster database pooling system: now based on HikariCP
  • Extension languages support : beyond Java, server side Extensions can be developed in Kotlin, Scala and Groovy (compiled and scripts). Server-side Javascript might be reintroduced at later time
  • New class loading mechanism : avoids dependency conflicts between Extensions and relative .jar libraries
  • New real-time Analytics: included at no extra cost, provides complete access to all server data with live metrics analysis
  • New AdminTool: a new, expanded Admintool with lots of new features, live metrics and configuration options
  • Persistent Performance History: allows to go back in time and analyze prior states and performance of the server
  • Reconnection for Websockets: unified system for TCP and Websocket clients
  • Strict Mode Security: enhanced protocol security with stricter rules and low tolerance for protocol errors. Insta-disconnection for any non conforming requests to avoid bots, scrapers or hacked clients
  • Sync/Async Extensions processing: allows for async requests from the same client to be processed in parallel if not dependent on specific ordering
  • Rewritten client API: all client API have been rewritten from scratch using the relative latest SDKs (.Net, Javascript, Java, Swift) and runtimes.
  • New Example packages: provide several tutorial to get started and learn multiplayer development using the latest release of Unity and Godot
  • Removed CCU/NPC limitations NPCs no longer count as CCUs for licensing limits

Licensing

The SmartFoxServer 3 licensing system is based on the number of concurrent users (CCU) allowed to connect to the server. We start from the free Community Edition allowing 100 CCU, up to the Unlimited Users version.

Community Edition

SmartFoxServer 3 Community Edition is the ideal tool for anyone to evaluate and get started with one of the most sophisticated multiplayer frameworks available.

Developers, indie game studios, students, educational institutes... anyone can enjoy developing for free with SFS3. The Community Edition is full-featured and you will be able to evaluate it as long as you wish, develop your own projects and put them in production at no additional cost.

Important: the Community Edition can be used in both non-profit and commercial projects provided that you show a readable "Powered by SmartFoxServer" notice in your main screen or application GUI.

You can get SFS3 CE directly from the download page.

Commercial licenses

In case you need more than 100 users to connect at the same time, or if you just want to remove the "Powered by" notice from the CE version, you can choose among very affordable commercial licenses for all project sizes and with a friendly upgrade fee.

Please visit the Buy page for additional information.

Resources

DownloadGet SmartFoxServer 3 Community Edition, examples, add-ons and more
DocumentationAccess the SmartFoxServer 3 extensive documentation set which includes tens of articles and examples illustrating all the technical details of the server: features, architecture, API usage, configuration, tuning, etc
SupportEnter our support forums, where we provide answers to questions and technical problems; you can also request new features or enhancements to already existing functionalities, or simply contribute to our active community
BuyPurchase the retail license that better fits your needs in terms of concurrent users and additional options
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