# s&box: Free Open Source Alternative to Unity, Unreal Engine

Canonical: https://caniforkit.com/fork/sbox
Last updated: 2026-11-07

s&box (Open Source, Open Source) replaces Unity, Unreal Engine. A game creation platform built on Valve's Source 2 engine, letting you build, share, and play games without leaving the environment.

## Tool Specifications
- **Tool Name**: s&box
- **Type**: Open Source Project
- **License**: Open Source
- **Official Website**: https://sbox.game/
- **GitHub Repository**: https://github.com/facepunch/sbox-public
- **GitHub Stars**: ★ 6.5k
- **Runs On**: Local
- **Maintenance Status**: nov 2026
- **Platforms**: desktop, cross-platform, one-click install
- **Data Storage**: All application data lives locally on your own machine.
- **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/facepunch/sbox-public or deploy with Docker Compose
- **Setup Requirements**: Download the native package or installer for your operating system.
- **The Catch / Limitation**: Community-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.

## Paid SaaS Applications Replaced (2)
Replacing these paid tools with s&box saves up to $30/mo ($360/yr) in software subscriptions:

| Replaced Software | Category | SaaS Price | Comparison Guide |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Unity](https://caniforkit.com/unity) | [forms](https://caniforkit.com/category/forms) | $15/mo | [Compare Unity vs s&box](https://caniforkit.com/vs/unity-vs-sbox) |
| [Unreal Engine](https://caniforkit.com/unreal-engine) | [forms](https://caniforkit.com/category/forms) | $15/mo | [Compare Unreal Engine vs s&box](https://caniforkit.com/vs/unreal-engine-vs-sbox) |

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Is s&box free and open source?
s&box is an open source tool licensed under Open Source that runs on local. A game creation platform built on Valve's Source 2 engine, letting you build, share, and play games without leaving the environment.

### What is the trade-off or limitation of using s&box?
Community-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.

## Related

- [Self-Hosted Open Source Directory](https://caniforkit.com/self-hosted)
- [All Paid SaaS Alternatives Index](https://caniforkit.com/alternatives)
- [Software Categories Directory](https://caniforkit.com/categories)
- [Homepage](https://caniforkit.com)