Unity Shader Keywords: shader_feature vs multi_compile — Complete Comparison Table and Usage Guide

Many Unity Shader developers often get confused about the differences between shader_feature and multi_compile, and when to use each one. I’ve encountered similar confusion myself, so I’ve put together this comparison table and practical guide to help everyone quickly understand the correct usage.

Keyword Type	Variant Depends on Material	Global Scope	Material Keyword State Saved	Runtime Dynamic Switch	Typical Usage
shader_feature	✔️ (Yes)	✔️ (Global)	✔️	❌	Static config, lean build
shader_feature_local	✔️ (Yes)	❌ (Local)	✔️	❌	Static config, lean build
multi_compile	❌ (No)	✔️ (Global)	❌	✔️	Runtime switching
multi_compile_local	❌ (No)	❌ (Local)	❌	✔️	Runtime switching