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8th Wall vs CryEngine

8

8th Wall

Software

WebAR platform for browser-based AR experiences

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
CryEngine logo

CryEngine

Software

Build worlds, break limits. Professional game development engine.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: 8th Wall platform shutdown as of February 2026, with hosted services ending; CryEngine a royalty of 5% of Gross Receipts is payable to Crytek on every game built with CRYENGINE
  • They diverge on capability: 8th Wall covers SLAM tracking, CryEngine covers Advanced graphics.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which 8th Wall and CryEngine actually diverge.

Attributes where 8th Wall and CryEngine differ
Attribute8th WallCryEngine
Pricing modelUnknownfree
PlatformsWeb (WebXR), Mobile browsers, Open source (local deployment)Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux
Founded20161999

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in 8th Wall

  • SLAM tracking
  • Image targets
  • Face effects
  • World tracking
  • Three.js
  • A-Frame
  • Babylon.js
  • PlayCanvas

Only in CryEngine

  • Advanced graphics
  • Physics engine
  • AI system
  • Animation tools
  • Flow Graph visual scripting
  • C++ and Lua support
  • Entity component system
  • Sandbox editor

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

8th Wall

  • VR Gamingnot CryEngine
  • AR Marketingnot CryEngine
  • Virtual Trainingnot CryEngine
  • 3D Visualizationnot CryEngine
  • Immersive Experiencesnot CryEngine

CryEngine

  • Building photorealistic first person and open world games with real time global illuminationnot 8th Wall
  • Developing with full engine source code accessnot 8th Wall
  • Sandbox based level design with what you see is what you get exportnot 8th Wall

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

8th Wall

  • Platform shutdown as of February 2026, with hosted services ending
  • WebAR performance limitations compared to native app AR experiences
  • Requires internet connection for all AR experiences to function
  • Limited browser support; Firefox and Safari do not support WebXR on desktop and mobile

CryEngine

  • A royalty of 5% of Gross Receipts is payable to Crytek on every game built with CRYENGINE
  • Royalties are waived only on the first USD 5,000.00 of Gross Receipts per year per game
  • Royalties are calculated at source on gross receipts before any publisher or platform deductions, so a developer receiving 70% of USD 100,000 still owes USD 4,750
  • Military projects, gambling, simulation, science, architecture and serious games are excluded from the standard licence and are not covered as Games
  • The licence forbids combining CRYENGINE with code from other game engine providers
  • Supported platforms are limited to those Crytek announces at its sole discretion, listed in the agreement as Windows, Linux, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One
  • Support is only provided against payment of a separate Support Fee that Crytek may change at its sole discretion
  • Crytek may modify the licence agreement at any time, with the only remedy for disagreement being to stop using CRYENGINE

Pricing, plan by plan

8th Wall

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the 8th Wall review.

CryEngine

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full engine access
    • Source code
    • Asset library

Which should you pick?

Choose 8th Wall if

  • You need slam tracking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web (WebXR), Mobile browsers, Open source (local deployment).
  • You also want image targets.
8th Wall review

Choose CryEngine if

  • You need advanced graphics.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux.
  • You also want physics engine.
CryEngine review

Questions people ask

Is 8th Wall or CryEngine better?
Neither clearly leads. 8th Wall starts at Free and CryEngine at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, 8th Wall or CryEngine?
8th Wall starts at Free and CryEngine at Free.
Does 8th Wall or CryEngine run on more platforms?
8th Wall runs on Web (WebXR), Mobile browsers, Open source (local deployment). CryEngine runs on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux.
Can I use 8th Wall for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is 8th Wall best used for?
8th Wall is most often used for vr gaming, ar marketing, virtual training, 3d visualization. Of those, vr gaming and ar marketing are not what CryEngine is typically brought in for.
What can 8th Wall do that CryEngine cannot?
8th Wall covers SLAM tracking, Image targets, Face effects, World tracking. CryEngine covers Advanced graphics, Physics engine, AI system, Animation tools.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

8th Wall: What is 8th Wall and how does it work?

8th Wall was a WebAR platform enabling AR experiences in web browsers without native app installation. As of February 2026, it transitioned to open source at 8thwall.org with free MIT-licensed technology.

Source
8th Wall: Is 8th Wall still available?

The paid hosted platform shut down February 28, 2026. The core technology was released as open source at 8thwall.org. Existing published projects remain online until February 28, 2027, when all hosted content will be permanently deleted.

Source
8th Wall: What licensing is available for 8th Wall?

8th Wall is now released under the MIT open source license at no cost for commercial use. Previously, commercial licensing started at $700 per month per project.

Source
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