Software · head to head
Buildbox vs CryEngine
CryEngine
Software
Build worlds, break limits. Professional game development engine.
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
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); CryEngine a royalty of 5% of Gross Receipts is payable to Crytek on every game built with CRYENGINE
- They diverge on capability: Buildbox covers Visual game builder, CryEngine covers Advanced graphics.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Buildbox and CryEngine actually diverge.
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 Buildbox
- Visual game builder
- Drag-and-drop interface
- Animation system
- Monetization SDK
- Analytics integration
- Cloud compilation
- Template library
- AdMob
Only in CryEngine
- Advanced graphics
- AI system
- Animation tools
- Flow Graph visual scripting
- C++ and Lua support
- Entity component system
- Sandbox editor
- Visual Studio
Both cover
- Physics engine
- Windows support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Buildbox
- Mobile game creationnot CryEngine
- Casual gamesnot CryEngine
- Monetized gamesnot CryEngine
CryEngine
- Building photorealistic first person and open world games with real time global illuminationnot Buildbox
- Developing with full engine source code accessnot Buildbox
- Sandbox based level design with what you see is what you get exportnot 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)
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
Buildbox
Free- FreeFree
- Basic game creation
- Mobile export
- Community support
- Premium$19.99/month
- Advanced features
- Monetization tools
- Custom integrations
CryEngine
Free- FreeFree
- Full engine access
- Source code
- Asset library
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.
Choose CryEngine if
- You need advanced graphics.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux.
- You also want ai system.
Questions people ask
- Is Buildbox or CryEngine better?
- Neither clearly leads. Buildbox 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, Buildbox or CryEngine?
- Buildbox starts at Free and CryEngine at Free.
- Does Buildbox or CryEngine run on more platforms?
- Buildbox runs on Ios, Android, Windows, Macos. CryEngine runs on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux.
- 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 CryEngine is typically brought in for.
- What can Buildbox do that CryEngine cannot?
- Buildbox covers Visual game builder, Drag-and-drop interface, Animation system, Monetization SDK. CryEngine covers Advanced graphics, AI system, Animation tools, Flow Graph visual scripting. Both handle Physics engine, Windows support.