When it comes to 3D software, Unreal Engine 5 is one of the most dynamic and accessible platforms on the market today. You’re probably interested in UE5 because of the inspirational games it has produced. But even with its reputation for creating iconic games, Unreal Engine 5 still offers plugins that extend the software's power. Below, we’ll break down the best plugins for Unreal Engine 5 that can help you develop the next memorable game developed on the platform.
What is Unreal Engine?
Unreal Engine 5 is a 3D game engine and creation software developed by Epic Games. It features a range of tools for creating immersive 3D environments, including advanced graphics and rendering capabilities, and physics simulations.
UE5 also supports virtual reality and augmented reality development, making it a popular choice for creating cutting-edge immersive experiences. Its user-friendly interface and intuitive workflows enable creators of all skill levels to design, develop, and deploy their own games and interactive experiences across a variety of platforms.
Short on time? Here’s our list of the best plugins for Unreal Engine 5 in 2024.
1. Cargo
2. Datasmith
3. Niagara
4. SpeedTree
5. Substance 3D
6. Procedural Nature Pack
7. Oceanology
8. Head Mounted VR
9. BlueprintUE
Best plugins for Unreal Engine 5 in 2024.
1. Cargo
Every game needs an immersive world. With Cargo, you can build a rich environment in Unreal Engine 5 for your themed fantasy, sci-fi, historical, or modern game.
Cargo is an asset browser plugin that gives you access to over 15,000 premium 3D models and materials from KitBash3D (that’s us). With 1-click import to Unreal Engine 5, powerful search and filtering, and a vast library of 3D assets from a wide variety of genres, Cargo houses one of the largest asset libraries for Unreal Engine 5. This is what makes it number one on our list of best plugins for Unreal Engine 5 in 2024.
Free Version: Yes, there’s a free version of Cargo that includes a selection of assets that can be used under a non-commercial license
Cost: Cargo is a subscription tool with three levels of access, Personal ($19), Professional ($49), and Teams ($99)
How It Helps: Cargo gives you access to 15,000 3D models and materials for any creative project
2. Datasmith
Datasmith is a core Unreal Engine 5 plugin that will set up your project for success from the get-go.
It’s a tool that allows you to import 3D models from a variety of sources, including CAD software, without losing any data or quality. This plugin also provides real-time updates, so you can see your changes immediately. Datasmith is a great choice for those who want to speed up their workflow and avoid the hassle of manually importing assets and for this reason, it's one of our best plugins for Unreal Engine 5 in 2024.
Free Version: Yes, Datasmith is part of UE5, so you can download it right away
Cost: No cost to Unreal Engine users
How It Helps: Datasmith saves time importing data into Unreal Engine
3. Niagara
Another core Unreal Engine 5 plugin is Niagara, which creates particle visual effects in real time. Its tools produce natural environmental effects like rain, snow, and fog.
Free Version: Yes, Niagara is a core plugin of UE5
Cost: No cost to Unreal Engine users. Enable by Edit > Plugins > FX > Check “Niagara”
How It Helps: Niagara is an in-house UE5 tool to create visual effects
4. SpeedTree
Now that you can create rain, it’s time to add some greenery with SpeedTree.
SpeedTree is a vegetation modeling and rendering software that can help you create stunning and realistic environments for your games. The SpeedTree plugin for Unreal Engine 5 brings all of the features of SpeedTree directly into the game engine, allowing you to easily create and modify trees, plants, and other foliage in real time. This plugin is a must-have for those who want to create vegetation for immersive game environments.
Free Version: Yes, SpeedTree has both a free trial pro license and a learning edition
Cost: Indie version ($19.99 per month), Pro version ($999 annually)
How It Helps: SpeedTree helps create vegetation for your game environment
5. Substance 3D
Do you want your 3D design to be as realistic as a AAA game? Substance 3D can help you add the special touches to make your world lifelike.
Substance 3D is a suite of tools from Adobe for creating and texturing 3D assets. The Substance plugin for Unreal Engine 5 provides a seamless integration between the two software, allowing you to import Substance materials directly into Unreal Engine. This plugin also supports real-time updates, so you can make changes to your materials and see the results immediately. Substance is an excellent choice for those who want to create high-quality textures for their game assets.
Free Version: Yes, through Adobe, you can get a free trial
Cost: Adobe Substance 3D Texturing ($19.99 per month), Adobe Substance 3D Collection ($49.99 per month)
How It Helps: Substance 3D helps model, texture, and render 3D assets and scenes
6. Procedural Nature Pack
Fill out your game environment with the Procedural Nature Pack.
The Procedural Nature Pack is a collection of assets that can help you create beautiful and realistic natural environments for your games. This plugin includes a variety of assets, including rocks, trees, and foliage, that are procedurally generated, which means that you can modify them in real time. The Procedural Nature Pack is a great choice for those who want to create stunning natural environments without spending hours on asset creation.
Free Version: No
Cost: $79.99 if you directly download the plugin from Pure Polygon’s site
How It Helps: Procedural Nature Pack quickly generates natural environments
7. Oceanology
Nothing sets up a gaming adventure like open water. With Oceanology, you can create ocean surfaces, waterlines, and underwater scenes.
The Oceanology Unreal Engine 5 plugin makes a historically difficult animation technique as easy as a long walk on the beach. The plugin will help you create realistic ocean behavior, immersive soundscapes, accurate physics and interactions, and swimming actions for characters. If water is in your world, you’ll need Oceanology to make it happen, and why it landed on our list of best plugins for Unreal Engine in 2024.
Free Version: No, so make sure the big blue is necessary for your game design
Cost: $249.99
How It Helps: Oceanology helps create realistic oceans from the waterfront to the depths of the sea
8. Head Mounted VR
Are you hoping to build the next immersive virtual reality (VR) game? With Head Mounted VR you can adapt physical interactions for VR.
Head Mounted VR is an Unreal Engine 5 plugin that takes functions of physical interactions and adapts them for a player using a VR headset. With Head Mounted VR, you can transform interactions with doors, buttons, equipment, weapons, and more into a VR headset format. Plus, the plugin's sound support will make your game seamlessly fit with a VR headset experience.
Free Version: No
Cost: $116.99
How It Helps: Head Mounted VR helps adapt your game interactions to a VR headset
9. BlueprintUE
Collaboration is critical when you’re building an original game independently or with a team.
BlueprintUE is a plugin for Unreal Engine 5 that allows you to share and collaborate on Blueprint scripts. This plugin provides a web-based interface where you can easily share your scripts with others and get feedback. BlueprintUE is a great choice for those who want to collaborate with other game developers or get feedback on their scripts.
Free Version: Yes
Cost: No cost
How It Helps: BlueprintUE helps you collaborate with developers by sharing Blueprint scripts
Free Unreal Engine 5 Tutorial
Unreal Engine 5 is the potential future of game development, and learning it can provide you with valuable skills and career opportunities. With this list of the best plugins for Unreal Engine 5, and the engine's advanced graphics and physics systems, large community support, cross-platform development, and easy-to-learn user interface make it an excellent choice for anyone looking to get into game development.
So, if you're new to Unreal Engine 5, start by familiarizing yourself with the interface and the basic tools for creating and manipulating 3D objects. Then, pick up our free Mission to Minerva Kit to follow along with our free Unreal Engine 5 tutorial.
