Quake

Quake at 30 is in a strange place: a fresh expansion just landed, the Nightdive Enhanced release keeps updating, and yet the community’s actual playtime is still overwhelmingly on the source ports the modding scene built. Those ports fix everything id Software never patched, run cleanly on modern hardware, and open the door to 30 years of custom maps, mods, and multiplayer variants that never quite fit the vanilla client.

We tested seven of the most-used Quake source ports on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Every one is free. Every one runs the original PAK files (bring your own; a Steam or GOG purchase is the easiest source), and most also run the recent Nightdive expansions.

What to look for in a Quake source port

Source ports diverge in surprising places. Pick based on what you actually play:

Quick comparison

App Best for Platforms Renderer License Netcode
QuakeSpasm Vanilla-plus single-player Windows, macOS, Linux OpenGL GPL NetQuake
vkQuake High-fidelity vanilla Windows, macOS, Linux Vulkan GPL NetQuake
Ironwail Modern QuakeSpasm fork Windows, Linux OpenGL 4.6 GPL NetQuake
DarkPlaces Mods and total conversions Windows, macOS, Linux OpenGL GPL NetQuake
Quakespasm-Spiked Coop-focused fork Windows, macOS, Linux OpenGL GPL NetQuake
FTEQW Everything, with tradeoffs Windows, macOS, Linux OpenGL, Vulkan GPL NetQuake, QW
Nightdive Quake Enhanced Official modernized client Windows, macOS, Linux Vulkan Commercial KEX netcode

The apps

1. QuakeSpasm — Best vanilla-plus single-player

QuakeSpasm is where most single-player players still live. It’s a faithful modernization of the original client with modern OpenGL rendering, high resolution and widescreen support, and none of the “new feature” bloat. Custom map compatibility is the highest on the list because most mappers target QuakeSpasm as the reference client.

Where it falls short: No advanced rendering (no bloom, no dynamic lighting). NetQuake netcode isn’t ideal for high-ping multiplayer.

License: GPL, free

Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux

Download: QuakeSpasm from quakespasm.sourceforge.io · Source on SourceForge

Bottom line: The default pick for single-player and custom map hunting.

2. vkQuake — Best high-fidelity vanilla

vkQuake takes QuakeSpasm’s philosophy and adds a Vulkan renderer with modern lighting, shadows, and MSAA. It’s the pick for players with modern GPUs who want the vanilla feel at 165 Hz with anti-aliasing that actually works.

Where it falls short: Vulkan means macOS on Apple Silicon runs through MoltenVK, which is still slightly less stable than native Metal.

License: GPL, free

Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux

Download: vkQuake on GitHub

Bottom line: The best-looking way to play stock Quake and Nightdive Enhanced maps.

3. Ironwail — Best modern QuakeSpasm fork

Ironwail is a QuakeSpasm fork focused on performance for the megamap era. Modern custom Quake maps push polygon counts far beyond what 1996 hardware imagined, and Ironwail’s rewritten renderer handles them without frame drops. Also adds an in-game menu system that’s significantly less punishing than the original.

Where it falls short: Windows and Linux only. macOS support is unmaintained.

License: GPL, free

Platforms: Windows, Linux

Download: Ironwail on GitHub

Bottom line: The pick for custom-map hunters who play modern high-poly maps.

4. DarkPlaces — Best for mods and total conversions

DarkPlaces is the engine that most Quake-derived total conversions ship on. Xonotic, Alien Arena, and Nexuiz all run on DarkPlaces. If you want to play mods that extend Quake’s game code, this is the engine.

Where it falls short: The renderer is dated compared to vkQuake. Some vanilla-purist single-player maps look different (usually brighter and flatter) than they do in QuakeSpasm.

License: GPL, free

Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux

Download: DarkPlaces on icculus.org · DarkPlaces on GitHub

Bottom line: The engine for mod-heavy play.

5. Quakespasm-Spiked — Best coop-focused fork

Quakespasm-Spiked is what to run when you’re playing single-player maps cooperatively. Adds bots, better networking than base QuakeSpasm, and coop-friendly quality-of-life like shared inventories and revive-on-death.

Where it falls short: Coop focus means the client is a beat behind vanilla QuakeSpasm on some renderer fixes.

License: GPL, free

Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux

Download: Quakespasm-Spiked builds on fte.triptohell.info

Bottom line: Grab friends and play custom map packs cooperatively.

6. FTEQW — Best “everything” client

FTEQW is the Swiss Army knife of Quake engines. Multiple renderers (OpenGL and Vulkan), support for NetQuake and QuakeWorld netcode, real Quake III BSP support, Quake II compatibility, and even Half-Life BSP loading. It’s the pick when you want one client that plays everything id-adjacent.

Where it falls short: The configuration surface is enormous. Defaults aren’t as friendly as QuakeSpasm’s.

License: GPL, free

Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux

Download: FTEQW from fte.triptohell.info

Bottom line: For players who own the whole id catalogue and want one binary to run all of it.

7. Nightdive Quake Enhanced — Best official modernized client

Nightdive Quake Enhanced is the official 2021 re-release, updated regularly with new expansions (including the recent 30th-anniversary drop). Modern KEX-engine renderer, native cross-play multiplayer, and QoL like an in-game menu that doesn’t scare newcomers away.

Where it falls short: Not open source, closed netcode, and mod support is limited to what Nightdive whitelists. The custom-map scene mostly still runs on the community source ports.

License: Commercial (requires purchase of Quake Enhanced)

Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux via Proton, plus consoles

Download: Quake Enhanced on Steam

Bottom line: The right pick for casual players who want the official experience with cross-play multiplayer.

How to pick the right one

If you just want to play the original Quake and its expansions: QuakeSpasm.

If you have a modern GPU and want everything looking sharp: vkQuake.

If you love the huge modern custom maps: Ironwail.

If you want to play total conversions like Xonotic or Alien Arena: DarkPlaces.

If you and a group of friends want to run through custom episodes cooperatively: Quakespasm-Spiked.

If you own Quake, Quake II, and Quake III and want one client: FTEQW.

If you don’t care about mods and just want the official experience with cross-play multiplayer: Nightdive’s Quake Enhanced.

Purists usually keep QuakeSpasm and Ironwail installed together, plus DarkPlaces for the mod scene. Casual players can start and end with vkQuake.

FAQ

Which is the best Quake source port for beginners?

QuakeSpasm. The defaults are sensible, custom maps just work, and the client is stable across every OS. If you have a modern GPU, vkQuake is an equally beginner-friendly alternative with better lighting.

Can I play Quake source ports online?

Yes. Every port on this list supports NetQuake multiplayer. FTEQW and Quakespasm-Spiked add coop-specific improvements. Nightdive Enhanced runs cross-play across PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch.

Do source ports work with the Steam version of Quake?

Yes. Point the source port at the id1 directory inside your Steam Quake install (either the original or Enhanced edition), and every port on this list reads the assets directly.

Which port handles the 2021 Enhanced expansion maps?

vkQuake and Ironwail both handle Nightdive’s Dimensions of the Machine and other Enhanced expansions cleanly. QuakeSpasm handles them with a minor version bump. DarkPlaces may need conversion for some new-format assets.

Can I run these source ports on Steam Deck?

Yes. QuakeSpasm and vkQuake both have Linux builds that run natively on Steam Deck. Nightdive Enhanced also runs on Steam Deck via Proton.

The engines themselves are GPL-licensed and freely distributed. The game data (.pak files) is proprietary; use your own copy from Steam, GOG, or an original CD.