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Game Development · head to head

Bevy vs LÖVE

Bevy logo

Bevy

Game Development

A refreshingly simple data-driven game engine built in Rust

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
LÖVE logo

LÖVE

Game Development

Framework for making 2D games in Lua

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Bevy rust only, so it assumes a language most game teams do not already use; LÖVE lOVE is a 2D-only framework, with no 3D pipeline
  • They diverge on capability: Bevy covers Entity Component System, LÖVE covers Lua scripting.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Bevy and LÖVE actually diverge.

Attributes where Bevy and LÖVE differ
AttributeBevyLÖVE
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, WebglWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web
Founded20202008

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

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 Bevy

  • Entity Component System
  • 2D/3D rendering
  • Audio system
  • Asset pipeline
  • Hot reloading
  • Cross-platform
  • Modular architecture
  • Parallel systems

Only in LÖVE

  • Lua scripting
  • Graphics rendering
  • Physics engine (Box2D)
  • Audio support
  • Input handling
  • File I/O
  • Vector math
  • Animation support

Both cover

  • Local deployment
  • Web deployment
  • Windows support
  • Macos support
  • Linux support

What people use each for

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

Bevy

  • 2D and 3D game development in Rustnot LÖVE
  • Data-driven design using an entity component systemnot LÖVE
  • Shipping to Windows, macOS, Linux, web, iOS and Android from one codebasenot LÖVE
  • Projects wanting a permissive licence with no royalties or feesnot LÖVE

LÖVE

  • Making 2D games in Luanot Bevy
  • Rapid prototyping of 2D gameplaynot Bevy
  • Shipping small 2D games to desktop and mobile from one Lua codebasenot Bevy

Where each one falls short

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

Bevy

  • Rust only, so it assumes a language most game teams do not already use
  • No visual editor of the kind Unity or Godot provide, so scenes and logic are written in code
  • Built around ECS, which is a different mental model from the scene-graph engines most developers come from

LÖVE

  • LOVE is a 2D-only framework, with no 3D pipeline
  • Games must be written in Lua, with no other supported scripting language
  • Supported platforms are limited to Windows Vista and later, macOS 10.11 and later, Linux, Android and iOS
  • The iOS build is distributed as source and libraries rather than a ready installer
  • There is no commercial support offering; help is through community forums, Discord and a subreddit

Pricing, plan by plan

Bevy

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Full engine access
    • ECS architecture
    • Hot reloading

LÖVE

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full framework
    • Lua scripting
    • Cross-platform support

Which should you pick?

Choose Bevy if

  • You need entity component system.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Webgl.
  • You also want 2d/3d rendering.
Bevy review

Choose LÖVE if

  • You need lua scripting.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want graphics rendering.
LÖVE review

Questions people ask

Is Bevy or LÖVE better?
Neither clearly leads. Bevy starts at Free and LÖVE at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Bevy or LÖVE?
Bevy starts at Free and LÖVE at Free.
Does Bevy or LÖVE run on more platforms?
Bevy runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Webgl. LÖVE runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
Can I use Bevy for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Bevy best used for?
Bevy is most often used for 2d and 3d game development in rust, data-driven design using an entity component system, shipping to windows, macos, linux, web, ios and android from one codebase, projects wanting a permissive licence with no royalties or fees. Of those, 2d and 3d game development in rust and data-driven design using an entity component system are not what LÖVE is typically brought in for.
What can Bevy do that LÖVE cannot?
Bevy covers Entity Component System, 2D/3D rendering, Audio system, Asset pipeline. LÖVE covers Lua scripting, Graphics rendering, Physics engine (Box2D), Audio support. Both handle Local deployment, Web deployment, Windows support, Macos support.
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