Comparison of Open-Source Networking Libraries for Unity Engine in Higher Education

Abstract

This study presents a comparative analysis of Open-Source Software networking libraries for the Unity 3D engine in developing Virtual Reality applications for higher education. The performance of three OSS libraries—Mirror, FishNet, and Netcode—against the commercial Photon Fusion were evaluated. Performance measurement such as user capacity, performance and cross-platform capability were used as comparison. While Photon Fusion excels in performance compared to other OSS libraries, alternatives like FishNet present a cost-effective and customizable option, ideal for educational settings with particular needs or constrained budgets. The result of this study assists in selecting suitable networking solutions for VR educational applications, promoting their broader adoption in learning environments.