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Cocos2d-x vs Corona Renderer

Cocos2d-x logo

Cocos2d-x

Software

Open-source, lightweight 2D game engine

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Corona Renderer logo

Corona Renderer

Software

Modern high-performance rendering

From
$414/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Cocos2d-x has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • 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.; Corona Renderer plugs into 3ds Max and Cinema 4D only, so it is not available for Blender, Maya or standalone use
  • They diverge on capability: Cocos2d-x covers 2D rendering, Corona Renderer covers Unbiased rendering.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Cocos2d-x and Corona Renderer actually diverge.

Attributes where Cocos2d-x and Corona Renderer differ
AttributeCocos2d-xCorona Renderer
Starting priceFree$414/year
Pricing modelfreesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, AndroidWindows, macOS
Founded20102009

Identical on both: 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)
  • Particle effects
  • Animation system
  • Audio engine
  • Touch input handling
  • Tilemap support
  • Sprite batching

Only in Corona Renderer

  • Unbiased rendering
  • Interactive rendering
  • LightMix
  • Scatter
  • Materials
  • 3ds Max
  • Cinema 4D
  • License management

Both cover

  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

Cocos2d-x

  • Mobile game developmentnot Corona Renderer
  • 2D gamesnot Corona Renderer
  • Lightweight gamesnot Corona Renderer
  • Cross-platform gamesnot Corona Renderer

Corona Renderer

  • Photorealistic architectural visualisation rendersnot Cocos2d-x
  • Interior and exterior stills from 3ds Maxnot Cocos2d-x
  • Motion graphics rendering from Cinema 4Dnot Cocos2d-x
  • Rendering with minimal setup thanks to defaults tuned for archviznot 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.

Corona Renderer

  • Plugs into 3ds Max and Cinema 4D only, so it is not available for Blender, Maya or standalone use
  • Sold by subscription rather than perpetual licence, from $414 a year for Corona Solo
  • Asset library access is metered by tier, at 15,000 assets on Solo against 18,500 on Premium
  • AI credits are capped monthly, at 100 on Solo and 500 on Premium
  • Real-time ray tracing through Vantage requires the Corona Collection tier at $994.80 a year

Pricing, plan by plan

Cocos2d-x

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full engine source
    • MIT License
    • Community support

Corona Renderer

$414/year

No published plan breakdown. See the Corona Renderer review.

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).
Cocos2d-x review

Choose Corona Renderer if

  • You need unbiased rendering.
  • You work on Windows, macOS.
  • You also want interactive rendering.
Corona Renderer review

Questions people ask

Is Cocos2d-x or Corona Renderer better?
Neither clearly leads. Cocos2d-x starts at Free and Corona Renderer at $414/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Cocos2d-x or Corona Renderer?
Cocos2d-x has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Cocos2d-x and $414/year for Corona Renderer.
Does Cocos2d-x or Corona Renderer run on more platforms?
Cocos2d-x runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android. Corona Renderer runs on Windows, macOS.
Can I use Cocos2d-x for free?
Yes. Cocos2d-x has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Corona Renderer starts at $414/year.
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 Corona Renderer is typically brought in for.
What can Cocos2d-x do that Corona Renderer cannot?
Cocos2d-x covers 2D rendering, Physics engine (Chipmunk), Particle effects, Animation system. Corona Renderer covers Unbiased rendering, Interactive rendering, LightMix, Scatter. Both handle Windows support.
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