Catherine HuSummary: This guide covers everything you need to know about modding Stardew Valley in 2025, including what essential mods are, how to install them on PC, and where to find the 40 best mods—complete with free download options through Xmod.
Stardew Valley may have launched years ago, but in 2025, it’s more alive than ever—thanks to a passionate modding community that continues to breathe new life into the game. Whether you’re a newcomer looking to enhance your farming experience or a veteran returning for a fresh start, mods are the key to customizing, upgrading, and expanding your adventure in Pelican Town.
This guide will walk you through what makes a mod essential, showcase the 40 best Stardew Valley mods for PC in 2025, and show you how to install them, including how to download mods for free using Xmod.
Table of contents
- What are essential Stardew Valley mods
- 40 best mods for Stardew Valley in 2025
- How to Add Mods to Stardew Valley on PC？
- How to get free mods from Xmod?
- Conclusion
What Are Essential Stardew Valley Mods?
Generic Mod Config Menu is a necessity for modding, basically just a mod that allows you to change the settings of other mods without having to reset your game every time.
Then there’s a bunch of quality of life mods that are often used
NPC Map Locations – shows you where people are on a map (contrary to the name, also includes players, horses, and such)
Gift Taste Helper – when hovering over NPC’s tells you their loved gifts (useful if you don’t want to constantly check the wiki)
Bigger Backpack– get an extra backpack upgrade
The main Stardew Valley mod that many people use is Stardew Valley Expanded, it adds new content to the game and stays quite similar to the vibe of the original.
Then there’s the most common “cheaty” mods. These are also quite popular and trivialize certain grindy parts of the game,
Tractor Mod – adds a tractor that waters, tills, cuts down trees, weeds and rocks, spreads seeds ect, in an area around the player automatically when a tool is selected
Automate – self-explanatory, automated machines
Chests Anywhere – self-explanatory, access your chests anywhere
Wear More Rings – adds more ring slots and an extra trinket slot
40 Best Stardew Valley Mods for PC in 2025
Here’s a curated list of 40 must-have mods, each with a brief description and a direct download link：
Stardew Modding API
SMAPI is the mod loader for Stardew Valley. It works fine with GOG and Steam achievements.
Created by: Pathoschild
Where to get: Nexus Mods
Content Patcher
This mod can load content packs that change the game’s data, images, and maps without replacing XNB files.
Created by: Pathoschild
Where to get: Nexus Mods
Stardew Valley Expanded
Stardew Valley Expanded is a fan-made expansion for ConcernedApe’s Stardew Valley. This mod adds 28 new NPCs, 58 locations, 278 character events, 43 fish, reimagined vanilla areas, three farm maps, a reimagined world map reflecting all changes, new music, questlines, objects, crops, festivals, and many miscellaneous additions.
Created by: FlashShifter
Where to get: Nexus Mods
NPC Map Locations
This mod can help you see NPCs and players on the map, with an optional minimap.
Created by: Bouhm
Where to get: Nexus Mods
Generic Mod Config Menu
This mod adds an in-game UI to edit other mods’ config options.
Created by: spacechase0
Where to get: Nexus Mods
CJB Cheats Menu
This mod is a simple in-game cheats menu with lots of cheats.
Created by: Pathoschild
Where to get: Nexus Mods
Farm Type Manager
Farm Type Manager is a framework that lets other mods spawn objects and monsters anywhere in the game, with various controls and customization options.
Created by: EscaMMC
Where to get: Nexus Mods
Lookup Anything
This mod can help you see live info about whatever’s under your cursor when you press F1. Learn a villager’s favourite gifts, when a crop will be ready to harvest, how long a fence will last, why your farm animals are unhappy, and more.
Created by: Pathoschild
Where to get: Nexus Mods
CJB Item Spawner
An easy-to-use in-game item spawner menu mod.
Created by: Pathoschild
Where to get: Nexus Mods
StardewValley Anime Mods
A mod created for love interests and villagers portraits.
Created by: ohodavi
Where to get: Nexus Mods
Expanded Preconditions Utility
This mod provides a conditions system mod authors can use, based on the game’s event preconditions.
Created by: CherryChain
Where to get: Nexus Mods
Automate
Place a chest next to a machine (like a furnace or crystalarium), and the machine will automatically pull raw items from the chest and push processed items into it. Connect multiple machines with a chest to link them.
Created by: Pathoschild
Where to get: Nexus Mods
Tractor Mod
This mod can help you buy a tractor to more efficiently work with crops, clear twigs and rocks, etc.
Created by: Pathoschild
Where to get: Nexus Mods
Skull Cavern Elevator
This mod can adds an elevator to the Skull Cavern.
Created by: Bifibi
Where to get: Nexus Mods
Platonymous Toolkit
A toolkit for Smapi Mods.
Created by: Platonymous
Where to get: Nexus Mods
StardewHack
A library mod used by other mods. Doesn’t do much on its own.
Created by: bcmpinc
Where to get: Nexus Mods
Mail Framework Mod
A framework to use the in game mailbox. Console commands to adjust the mail. Code and Content Pack interfaces.
Created by: Digus
Where to get: Nexus Mods
Download link
Shop Tile Framwork
This content packs create fully customizable shops and animal shops, and make them interactable in-game via tile properties.
Created by: CherryChain
Where to get: Nexus Mods
Seasonal Outfits – Slightly Cuter Aesthetic
Overhauls all character sprites and portraits for a slightly cuter aesthetic
Created by: Poltergeister
Where to get: Nexus Mods
Ridgeside Village
Ridgeside Village adds over 50 new NPCs, a new location, new items, new shops, new festivals, custom music, custom quests, and more.
Created by: Rafseazz
Where to get: Nexus Mods
Custom NPC Exclusions
This mod allows other mods to exclude NPCs from certain quests and events, especially those that randomly select NPCs.
Created by: EscaMMC
Where to get: Nexus Mods
TMXL Map Toolkit
Toolkit for adding/editing/replacing maps and creating buildables.
Created by: Platonymous
Where to get: Nexus Mods
Cheats Anywhere
Access your chests, dressers, fridge, shipping bin, and Junimo huts from anywhere and organise them your way. Transfer items without having to run around, from the comfort of your bed to the deepest mine level. Includes optional balanced mode.
Created by: Pathoschild
Where to get: Nexus Mods
Extra Map Layers
This mod can help you display extra layers added to map mods.
Created by: aedenthorn
Where to get: Nexus Mods
Fashion Sense
A framework which allows for bigger accessories, hairstyles, hats, shirts, sleeves, pants and shoes, as well as animation support and more.
Created by: PeacefulEnd
Where to get: Nexus Mods
Custom Companions
A framework for creating custom entities that can be spawned on maps or follow you around in Stardew Valley.
Created by: PeacefulEnd
Where to get: Nexus Mods
Skip Fishing Minigame
This mod can help ou can catch fish without any struggle.
Created by: dewmods
Where to get: Nexus Mods
Visible Fish
This mod shows fish that are currently catchable in the water. Works with modded locations + fish.
Created by: shekurika
Where to get: Nexus Mods
Gift Taste Helper
This mod displays a helpful tooltip that shows an NPC’s favourite gifts when hovering over their birthday on the calendar or the social page.
Created by: tstaples
Where to get: Nexus Mods
CJB Show Item Sell Price
This mod helps you see the sell price of items in your inventory.
Created by: Pathoschild
Where to get: Nexus Mods
Wear More Rings
This mod configure the amount of ring slots in your inventory. By default adds 6 additional ring slots.
Created by: bcmpinc
Where to get: Nexus Mods
Portraiture
This mod add higher resolution portraits and easily switch between different Portrait Mods.
Created by: Platonymous
Where to get: Nexus Mods
Bigger Packpack
With this mod, you can buy a bigger backpack at Pierre’s for only 50,000g.
Created by: spacechase0
Where to get: Nexus Mods
DaisyNiko’s Earthy Recolour
A framework of a warm, earth-toned recolour that’s easy on the eyes.
Created by: DaisyNiko
Where to get: Nexus Mods
Winter Grass
This mod makes grass survive through winter.
Created by: CatCattyCat
Where to get: Nexus Mods
Baldur’s Village
This mod adds 20+ new beautifully drawn characters, 6 new locations, new shops with special items, events, and more.
Created by: baldursvillage
Where to get: Nexus Mods
Animal Husbandry
This mod improves animal husbandry by adding new tools to the game. Adds a way to give treats to your animals, impregnate them, harvest meat, cook new meat-based recipes, watch a new animal-themed TV channel for tips, and participate in a new Animal Contest event.
Created by: Digus
Where to get: Nexus Mods
Skateboard
This mod let you craft a skateboard that you can ride, enabling fluid, skateboard-like movement.
Created by: aedenthorn
Where to get: Nexus Mods
The Love of Cooking
This mod is for people who really do love cooking and want it to matter more in Stardew Valley. It adds new recipes, a search function, and the ability to toggle using high-quality ingredients. It even changes healing so that eating foods heals over time instead of instantly. There’s even a new community center challenge that unlocks kitchen upgrades.
Created by: bbluberry
Where to get: Nexus Mods
Zenith Farm
Modder DaisyNiko over on Nexus Mods creates some awfully pretty Stardew Valley maps, but their Zenith Farm has to be one of their best. The map puts your farmhouse high atop a mountain overlooking the valley, with a little ravine splitting it down the middle. The split makes it an easy map to manage and organize, plus it comes with seasonal forage, berries, and a handy Warp Totem.
Created by: DaisyNiko
Where to get: Nexus Mods
How to Add Mods to Stardew Valley on PC
Modding Stardew Valley on PC is simple once you know the basics. Most mods require a tool called SMAPI (Stardew Modding API) to run, and installation only takes a few minutes.
Step-by-Step Guide to Installing Mods on PC
1: Install SMAPI
SMAPI is the core mod loader for Stardew Valley and is required for most modern mods.
- Go to the official SMAPI website:
- Download the latest version for Windows.
- Run the installer and follow the prompts.
- After installation, launch Stardew Valley through SMAPI, not Steam (you can re-add SMAPI as a shortcut to Steam if you prefer).
2: Locate Your Game Folder
You’ll need access to the game’s files to install mods manually.
- Open Steam
- Right-click Stardew Valley > Click Manage > Browse Local Files
- This opens your Stardew Valley root folder. Inside it, you’ll see a folder called
Mods. SMAPI creates this automatically.
3: Download Mods
Get mods from trusted sources:
- Nexus Mods – Stardew Valley
- Xmod Stardew Page
Download the .zip or .rar file for each mod.
4: Install Mods
- Extract the mod file using tools like WinRAR or 7-Zip.
- Place the extracted mod folder directly into the
Modsfolder you found in Step 2. - Each mod should have its own folder (do not put all files into the same folder).
5: Launch the Game
- Run Stardew Valley using SMAPI (not the default Steam shortcut).
- If installed correctly, you’ll see a mod console window appear before the game starts.
- Enjoy your modded gameplay!
How to Get Free Mods from Xmod
Xmod is a growing mod platform that offers free, curated mod packs and one-click installation.
Xmod provides various popular mods, with a clear view and easy installation. It even categorized the mods just for the users’ convenience. Moreover, Xmod has this Mod Installation Guide that can help you install the mods step by step without any mistakes.
Other than that, Xmod also has multiple cheats for you to choose. For instance, Always-Critical-Hit, Unlimited Stamina, Easy Fishing, and Super Walkspeed.
How to use Xmod:
- Download the Xmod client from the official website.
- Search for Stardew Valley inside the client.
- Browse mod packs or individual mods.
- Click “Install” — Xmod handles all dependencies and file placements.
- Launch your game from Xmod for best compatibility.
Conclusion
With a thriving modding scene and powerful tools available in 2025, Stardew Valley can be customized in more ways than ever before. From quality-of-life enhancements to complete game expansions, the 40 mods listed here represent the best of what the community has to offer. And whether you’re installing via SMAPI, Nexus, or the beginner-friendly Xmod platform, it’s easier than ever to dive in.
