Game Development · head to head
Cocos2d-x vs Phaser
Phaser
Game Development
Fast, free, and fun open source framework for Canvas and WebGL
- 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.; Phaser the Phaser framework is open source but Phaser Editor is a commercial product at $12 per month
- They diverge on capability: Cocos2d-x covers 2D rendering, Phaser covers Canvas and WebGL rendering.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Cocos2d-x and Phaser actually diverge.
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 Cocos2d-x
- 2D rendering
- Physics engine (Chipmunk)
- Audio engine
- Touch input handling
- Tilemap support
- Sprite batching
- Visual Studio
- Xcode
Only in Phaser
- Canvas and WebGL rendering
- Physics engine (Arcade)
- Input handling
- Audio support
- Tilemaps
- Event system
- JavaScript frameworks
- npm
Both cover
- Particle effects
- Animation system
- Mobile deployment
- Ios support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Cocos2d-x
- Mobile game developmentnot Phaser
- 2D gamesnot Phaser
- Lightweight gamesnot Phaser
- Cross-platform gamesnot Phaser
Phaser
- Building 2D HTML5 games that run in the browsernot Cocos2d-x
- Rapid browser game prototyping with a code editor, tilemap and atlas toolsnot Cocos2d-x
- Publishing web games with one click hostingnot 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.
Phaser
- The Phaser framework is open source but Phaser Editor is a commercial product at $12 per month
- Phaser Editor stops working when the licence expires
- No free trial of Phaser Editor is offered
- AI tools in the free Phaser suite require purchasing credits
- SSO through Google Workspace, private support and Editor source code availability are Enterprise only, which is custom priced and requires contacting sales
- No educational discounts are offered
- Subscription cancellations are not refunded pro rata
Pricing, plan by plan
Cocos2d-x
Free- FreeFree
- Full engine source
- MIT License
- Community support
Phaser
Free- FreeFree
- Full source code
- Community support
- Game examples
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 Phaser if
- You need canvas and webgl rendering.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android.
- You also want physics engine (arcade).
Questions people ask
- Is Cocos2d-x or Phaser better?
- Neither clearly leads. Cocos2d-x starts at Free and Phaser at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Cocos2d-x or Phaser?
- Cocos2d-x starts at Free and Phaser at Free.
- Does Cocos2d-x or Phaser run on more platforms?
- Cocos2d-x runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android. Phaser runs on Web, Ios, Android.
- 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 Phaser is typically brought in for.
- What can Cocos2d-x do that Phaser cannot?
- Cocos2d-x covers 2D rendering, Physics engine (Chipmunk), Audio engine, Touch input handling. Phaser covers Canvas and WebGL rendering, Physics engine (Arcade), Input handling, Audio support. Both handle Particle effects, Animation system, Mobile deployment, Ios support.
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