Our verdict: r2modman is the go-to manager for games whose mods live on Thunderstore. It keeps mods in separate profiles, so the game itself stays vanilla when launched normally from Steam. It is free, open source and has no ads, but it only covers Thunderstore games.
About r2modman
r2modman is a free, open-source mod manager for games on Thunderstore, a mod site used by communities such as Lethal Company, Risk of Rain 2, Valheim, Dyson Sphere Program and GTFO. It was started by ebkr and is released under the MIT license. You pick a game, browse Thunderstore's online mod list inside the app and install mods together with their dependencies.
Mods are installed into profiles instead of the game folder, so starting the game normally through Steam runs it without mods, while Start modded runs the selected profile. Profiles can be exported as a code or file to share an identical mod list and configs with friends. The app shows outdated mods, edits mod config files and updates itself. The developer warns that only Thunderstore, GitHub and ebkr.dev are legitimate download sources.
What it does well
- Thunderstore integration. Browse, install and update Thunderstore mods with dependencies.
- Profiles. Keep separate mod sets per game and switch between them quickly.
- Share profiles. Export a profile as a code or file so friends get the same mods and configs.
- Config editor. Edit mod configuration files directly in the manager.
- Vanilla-safe installs. Launching from Steam normally runs the game without mods.
Who it is for
Good fit
Players modding Lethal Company, Valheim, Risk of Rain 2 or other Thunderstore games, especially with friends.
Look elsewhere
Games whose mods are on Nexus Mods or CurseForge.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free, open source, no ads
- Profiles keep the game vanilla
- Easy profile sharing with friends
- Built-in config editor
Cons
- Only Thunderstore games
- Fake download sites imitate it
- Some games need extra launch setup outside Steam
How to install r2modman
Download only from GitHub or Thunderstore: the developer warns about fake third-party sites. On first start choose your game and create a profile, then use Online to add mods. Start the game with Start modded; when playing with friends, export your profile and have them import the code so everyone has the same mods.
Questions about r2modman
Is r2modman free?
Yes. r2modman is open source under the MIT license, with no ads or paid version.
Where can I safely download r2modman?
The developer lists only Thunderstore, GitHub releases and ebkr.dev (for Flatpak builds) as legitimate sources.
What is the difference between r2modman and the Thunderstore Mod Manager?
Both manage Thunderstore mods. r2modman is the standalone open-source app; the Thunderstore Mod Manager runs on the Overwolf platform.
