#1. Enhanced Player Model Selector (Best)

Enhanced Player Model Menu.

This is an easy-to-use add-on for creating and saving player models for all game modes. This mod can be accessed anywhere and will not be overwritten. Created by “Libertyforce” the Gmod community would give this mod the Stamp of Approval.

This add-on brings out more of the creative aspect of an already creative game, enhancing your Gmod experience further by providing additional tools and options for creating, customizing, and experimenting. 

Its various features and functionalities can open up new possibilities for players to express their creativity and imagination in a fun and unique way.

Enhanced Player Model Selector features:

• Enforce your player model even in game modes or maps that overwrite it.
• A menu function in sandboxes and other game modes.
• Store your preferred model/body group combination with the favorites list.
• Applies your customization instantly, removing the need to respawn!

Learn more here

#2. WireMod (Excellent)

Creating a computer using the WireMod.

An expansive and user-friendly mod for all the builders and engineers who want to take their crafts further, the “WireMod” is a great tool for you. This add-on has become a community favorite for its versatility and functionality, allowing players to create complex contraptions and mechanisms.

If you’ve never heard of this add-on, you may wonder why a simple wiring mod is such a big deal. The WireMod greatly improves ‌creativity and interactivity and provides a hands-on way for players to learn about basic programming and electronics.

WireMod Features:

• Can be used for improving RP experiences.
• Creating a fun and interactive building system.
• Teaches logic-based thinking.
• Many more.

Learn more here

#3. Star Wars Light Sabers (Excellent)

A taste of what's to come!

Want the Galaxy at your fingertips; Do you want to feel like a Jedi or a Sith lord? If so, then STOP SCROLLING! This is a super fun and popular add-on for solo or multiplayer servers who want to add a bit more fun to their world.

This mod became such a community favorite because of its customization, providing many different sabers and special attacks. It conjures up memories for many players, allowing them to play as their favorite characters, bringing the excitement from Star Wars to Garry’s Mod.

Star Wars Light Sabers Features:

• 9 different hum sounds.
• 3 different swing sounds.
• Custom crystal colors.
• A SWEP and SENT.

Learn more here

#4. Chuck’s Weaponry 2.0 (Good)

Guns, accessories, and clips are what separate the men from boys.

Chuck’s Weaponry 2.0 is a popular choice for many players in the Gmod community because of its extensive arsenal of weapons and highly customizable features. This is the perfect choice for players who want to add more realism to their experience.

The kind of weapons you can expect from this mod is a wide range of firearms, explosives, melee weapons, and more. This add-on gives weapons realistic mechanics such as accurate reloading, recoil, and weapon handling. 

Chuck’s Weaponry 2.0 Features:

• Dynamic recoil and accuracy.
• Custom model movement.
• Fire Modes.
• Weapon holstering on weapon change.
• Many more.

Learn more here

#5. VJ Base (Best)

Control your environment... wield the power!

Okay, so Garry’s Mod is a great game, but let's face it… the NPC behavior could be much better. With VJ base, it allows you to create intelligent NPCs within the game. This highly popular mod became a crucial tool for content creators, allowing them to implement advanced NPC behavior and interactions.

With VJ Base, players can create engaging encounters with NPCs that react intelligently to their actions. You can design elaborate scenarios, intense battles, and engaging stories using the add-on's features.

VJ Base Features:

• Automatically adds SNPCs, weapons, entities, etc to the VJ Base spawn menu.
• Developers can add icons for different categories in the spawn menu!
• Organized and easy-to-use spawn menu.
• All settings and options are convars that can also be changed through the console.
• Many more.

Learn more here

#6. [SIMFPHYS] LUA Vehicles - Base (Best)

The "Pimp My Ride" of Garry's Mod.

“What the heck is “simfphys” and why does it look so cool?” Is what I said when I first saw this on the Steam workshop. Simfphys stands for “simulated (Sim) fake (F) physics (Phys)”, and simply put… it’s awesome. This add-on provides realistic vehicle physics to spice up your driving experience.

With this mod, you can design and customize your vehicle all from scratch, including its appearance, performance, and functionality. Players can fine-tune vehicles that handle and perform according to their specifications. LUA Vehicles is an excellent mod for car enthusiasts or anyone who wants to spend hours relaxing and driving.

LUA Vehicles - Base Features:

• Highly customizable and detailed.
• Share your custom builds with your friends.
• Supports joysticks.
• Many more.

Learn more here

#7. M9K Assault Rifles (Best)

The most popular weapons mod for Gmod.

The add-on includes a wide range of assault rifles, each offering unique features, statistics, and visual designs. Players can choose from various weapons to suit their preferences and play styles.

M9K is used on many servers, chiefly Dark RP (in my experience), and makes the diversity in weapons more realistic and fun when engaging in intense firefights. Despite some of the weapons being unbalanced… (AN-94 *cough *cough), this add-on is a must for your modlist.

M9k Assault Rifles Features:

• Ammo boxes, which can explode if damaged.
• Selective Fire.
• Silencing.
• Many More.

Learn more here

#8. Gmod Legs 3 (good)

Stand on your own 2 legs...3.

Sometimes simpler is better, and with Gmod Legs 3, this adds a tiny tweak to the game that plays a huge part in your immersion. Looking down and not being able to see your player model's lower body can be quite disturbing; this mod changes that.

This mod adds realistic leg animations and movements to your in-game character. Gmod Legs 3 highlights physics that seamlessly interacts with the environment, responding to different terrains, and adding an extra layer of realism to your game.

Gmod Legs 3 Features:

• Immersive gameplay.
• Realistic Physics.
• Actively maintained.
• Much more.

Learn more here

#9. Black Mesa Xenians Weapons (good)

Transform your arsenal into alien weapons.

Although this add-on isn't as popular as the rest, I believe it deserves a spot on this list. Xenians Weapons introduces unique weapons inspired by the Xen aliens from the “Black Mesa Research Facility”.

Black Mesa Xenians Weapons brings a vast selection of alien-inspired firearms, tools, and unique aesthetics. From organic and otherworldly-looking energy weapons to biomechanical melee instruments with special abilities tied to specific weapons.

With all that being said,  it’s hard not to be intrigued; give it a try.

Black Mesa Xenians Weapons Features:

• Custom HUD.
• Screen effects.
• Dynamic sprint animations.
• Aesthetic animation.
• Many more.

Learn more here

#10. Wheatley’s Parkour (excellent)

kicks, flips, and more...

Last but certainly not least, I’ll introduce “Wheatley’s Parkour” It brings that excitement and adrenaline of parkour to your Garry’s mod. This challenging and dynamic add-on offers a new and engaging way to explore and test your skills and creativity. Wheatley’s Parkour is also inspired by the Portal game series. You may come across familiar props and audio that give off the atmosphere of the Portal games.

This mod integrates a ‌parkour system offering a series of courses designed to test a player's agility, precision, and timing. "Wheatley’s Parkour"  includes interactive factors such as moving platforms, portal surfaces, bounce pads, and gravity-defying sections that add complexity to the parkour experience.

Wheatley’s Parkour Features:

• Configure Tricks, HUD, and Visual Effects.
• Interactive environment.
• Challenging Levels.
• Nostalgia.
• Many more.

Learn more here