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Buildbox vs Construct 3

Buildbox logo

Buildbox

Software

Game creation platform for everyone

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Construct 3 logo

Construct 3

Software

Create games without coding. Powered by the Scirra engine.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Buildbox buildbox splits its editor into two separate paid product lines, Buildbox Classic and Buildbox 3, priced and sold as different products rather than tiers of one app (archived pricing page, 8 March 2026); Construct 3 the free version caps projects at 50 events, or 25 when used without an account
  • They diverge on capability: Buildbox covers Visual game builder, Construct 3 covers Visual event system.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Buildbox and Construct 3 actually diverge.

Attributes where Buildbox and Construct 3 differ
AttributeBuildboxConstruct 3
PlatformsIos, Android, Windows, MacosWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web
Founded20152007

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), 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 Buildbox

  • Visual game builder
  • Drag-and-drop interface
  • Animation system
  • Monetization SDK
  • Analytics integration
  • Cloud compilation
  • Template library
  • AdMob

Only in Construct 3

  • Visual event system
  • Drag-and-drop editor
  • Sprite editor
  • Particle effects
  • Sound effects
  • Web-based
  • HTML5 support
  • GitHub

Both cover

  • Physics engine
  • Mobile deployment
  • Windows support
  • Macos support

What people use each for

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

Buildbox

  • Mobile game creationnot Construct 3
  • Casual gamesnot Construct 3
  • Monetized gamesnot Construct 3

Construct 3

  • Building 2D browser games without writing codenot Buildbox
  • Publishing HTML5 games to the web, desktop and mobile stores from one projectnot Buildbox

Where each one falls short

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

Buildbox

  • Buildbox splits its editor into two separate paid product lines, Buildbox Classic and Buildbox 3, priced and sold as different products rather than tiers of one app (archived pricing page, 8 March 2026)
  • Buildbox Classic Plus is $57.99 USD per year and Buildbox Classic Pro is $137.99 USD per year; Buildbox 3 Plus is $97.99 USD per year and Buildbox 3 Pro is $297.99 USD per year, with a companion audio tool Soundbox sold separately at $49.99 USD per year (archived pricing page, 8 March 2026)
  • The only bundle combining Buildbox 3 Pro, Buildbox Classic Pro, and Soundbox is a separate $447.99 USD per year Ultimate Bundle rather than a natural upgrade path (archived pricing page, 8 March 2026)

Construct 3

  • The free version caps projects at 50 events, or 25 when used without an account
  • Free projects are limited to 2 layers, 2 special effects, 1 timeline animation of up to 5 seconds and 1 web font
  • The free version can only publish to HTML5 and the Construct Arcade, so desktop, Android, iOS and Facebook Instant Games all need a paid plan
  • Licences are per seat and annual, at $129.99 for Personal, $168.99 for Startup Business and $468.99 for Business

Pricing, plan by plan

Buildbox

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Basic game creation
    • Mobile export
    • Community support
  • Premium$19.99/month
    • Advanced features
    • Monetization tools
    • Custom integrations

Construct 3

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Web-based editor
    • HTML5 export
    • Asset library
  • Personal$99/year
    • All Free features
    • Offline editor
    • Advanced export

Which should you pick?

Choose Buildbox if

  • You need visual game builder.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Ios, Android, Windows, Macos.
  • You also want drag-and-drop interface.
Buildbox review

Choose Construct 3 if

  • You need visual event system.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want drag-and-drop editor.
Construct 3 review

Questions people ask

Is Buildbox or Construct 3 better?
Neither clearly leads. Buildbox starts at Free and Construct 3 at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Buildbox or Construct 3?
Buildbox starts at Free and Construct 3 at Free.
Does Buildbox or Construct 3 run on more platforms?
Buildbox runs on Ios, Android, Windows, Macos. Construct 3 runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
Can I use Buildbox for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Buildbox best used for?
Buildbox is most often used for mobile game creation, casual games, monetized games. Of those, mobile game creation and casual games are not what Construct 3 is typically brought in for.
What can Buildbox do that Construct 3 cannot?
Buildbox covers Visual game builder, Drag-and-drop interface, Animation system, Monetization SDK. Construct 3 covers Visual event system, Drag-and-drop editor, Sprite editor, Particle effects. Both handle Physics engine, Mobile deployment, Windows support, Macos support.
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