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Parlor vs Photon

Realtime netcode for Unity and more. Parlor gives your app finished games with opponents already there. Different job.

What you getParlorPhoton
Ships with playable gamesYes, a catalogNo
Opponents includedYes, shared poolNo
Server keeps scoreYes, built inYou build it
Time to a live 1v1An afternoonWeeks
Custom game logicOn the roadmapYes
Engine SDKsSwift todayYes, Unity and Unreal
Self-hostableNoNo
Best forReady games with a ready pool

Reading of public docs, July 2026. See something off? Tell us.

Questions

Is Photon a good fit for a chess game in my app?

It can do it, but you build the rules, the matchmaking, and the player base. Parlor hands you all three.

Does Photon include opponents?

No. Photon moves your players in real time. It does not supply players. Parlor pools them across apps.

Can I use both?

Sure. Photon for a bespoke game, Parlor for drop-in games with a ready pool.

Want ready games with a ready pool?