Software · head to head
Cocos2d-x vs Construct 3
Construct 3
Software
Create games without coding. Powered by the Scirra engine.
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Cocos2d-x cocos2d-x is MIT licensed with no commercial tier, and the vendor's own site directs users toward its newer engine, Cocos Creator, as the actively developed product, leaving Cocos2d-x without a first-party paid support or upgrade path.; Construct 3 the free version caps projects at 50 events, or 25 when used without an account
- They diverge on capability: Cocos2d-x covers 2D rendering, Construct 3 covers Visual event system.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Cocos2d-x and Construct 3 actually diverge.
| Attribute | Cocos2d-x | Construct 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | free | freemium |
| Platforms | Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android | Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web |
| Founded | 2010 | 2007 |
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 Cocos2d-x
- 2D rendering
- Physics engine (Chipmunk)
- Animation system
- Audio engine
- Touch input handling
- Tilemap support
- Sprite batching
- Visual Studio
Only in Construct 3
- Visual event system
- Drag-and-drop editor
- Physics engine
- Sprite editor
- Sound effects
- Web-based
- HTML5 support
- Dropbox
Both cover
- Particle effects
- GitHub
- Local deployment
- Mobile deployment
- Windows support
- Macos support
- Linux support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Cocos2d-x
- Mobile game developmentnot Construct 3
- 2D gamesnot Construct 3
- Lightweight gamesnot Construct 3
- Cross-platform gamesnot Construct 3
Construct 3
- Building 2D browser games without writing codenot Cocos2d-x
- Publishing HTML5 games to the web, desktop and mobile stores from one projectnot Cocos2d-x
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Cocos2d-x
- Cocos2d-x is MIT licensed with no commercial tier, and the vendor's own site directs users toward its newer engine, Cocos Creator, as the actively developed product, leaving Cocos2d-x without a first-party paid support or upgrade path.
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
Cocos2d-x
Free- FreeFree
- Full engine source
- MIT License
- Community support
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 Cocos2d-x if
- You need 2d rendering.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android.
- You also want physics engine (chipmunk).
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.
Questions people ask
- Is Cocos2d-x or Construct 3 better?
- Neither clearly leads. Cocos2d-x 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, Cocos2d-x or Construct 3?
- Cocos2d-x starts at Free and Construct 3 at Free.
- Does Cocos2d-x or Construct 3 run on more platforms?
- Cocos2d-x runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android. Construct 3 runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
- Can I use Cocos2d-x for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Cocos2d-x best used for?
- Cocos2d-x is most often used for mobile game development, 2d games, lightweight games, cross-platform games. Of those, mobile game development and 2d games are not what Construct 3 is typically brought in for.
- What can Cocos2d-x do that Construct 3 cannot?
- Cocos2d-x covers 2D rendering, Physics engine (Chipmunk), Animation system, Audio engine. Construct 3 covers Visual event system, Drag-and-drop editor, Physics engine, Sprite editor. Both handle Particle effects, GitHub, Local deployment, Mobile deployment.