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Game Development · head to head

Bevy vs MonoGame

Bevy logo

Bevy

Game Development

A refreshingly simple data-driven game engine built in Rust

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
MonoGame logo

MonoGame

Game Development

Create games using C# and MonoGame

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; MonoGame console targets for PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch require platform authorisation rather than being openly available
  • They diverge on capability: Bevy covers Entity Component System, MonoGame covers C# language support.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Bevy and MonoGame actually diverge.

Attributes where Bevy and MonoGame differ
AttributeBevyMonoGame
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, WebglWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox
Founded20202009

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 MonoGame

  • C# language support
  • Graphics rendering
  • Audio engine
  • Physics integration
  • Content pipeline
  • Input handling
  • Sprite system
  • 2D and 3D support

Both cover

  • Local 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 MonoGame
  • Data-driven design using an entity component systemnot MonoGame
  • Shipping to Windows, macOS, Linux, web, iOS and Android from one codebasenot MonoGame
  • Projects wanting a permissive licence with no royalties or feesnot MonoGame

MonoGame

  • Cross-platform game development in C# and .NETnot Bevy
  • Shipping to Windows, macOS and Linux from one codebasenot Bevy
  • Mobile releases on Android, iOS and iPadOSnot Bevy
  • Commercial indie titles with no royalty or runtime feenot 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

MonoGame

  • Console targets for PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch require platform authorisation rather than being openly available
  • A code-first framework in C# with no bundled editor or visual scene tooling

Pricing, plan by plan

Bevy

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

MonoGame

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full framework
    • C# support
    • Cross-platform

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 MonoGame if

  • You need c# language support.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox.
  • You also want graphics rendering.
MonoGame review

Questions people ask

Is Bevy or MonoGame better?
Neither clearly leads. Bevy starts at Free and MonoGame at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Bevy or MonoGame?
Bevy starts at Free and MonoGame at Free.
Does Bevy or MonoGame run on more platforms?
Bevy runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Webgl. MonoGame runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox.
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 MonoGame is typically brought in for.
What can Bevy do that MonoGame cannot?
Bevy covers Entity Component System, 2D/3D rendering, Audio system, Asset pipeline. MonoGame covers C# language support, Graphics rendering, Audio engine, Physics integration. Both handle Local deployment, Windows support, Macos support, Linux support.
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