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Cocos2d-x vs Three.js

Cocos2d-x logo

Cocos2d-x

Game Development

Open-source, lightweight 2D game engine

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Three.js logo

Three.js

AR VR

JavaScript 3D library for WebGL and WebXR

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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.; Three.js forward rendering pipeline only, no deferred rendering support
  • They diverge on capability: Cocos2d-x covers 2D rendering, Three.js covers WebGL rendering.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Cocos2d-x and Three.js actually diverge.

Attributes where Cocos2d-x and Three.js differ
AttributeCocos2d-xThree.js
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, AndroidWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
CategoryGame DevelopmentAR VR

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), founded (2010).

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
  • Audio engine
  • Touch input handling
  • Tilemap support
  • Sprite batching
  • Visual Studio

Only in Three.js

  • WebGL rendering
  • Scene graph
  • Materials system
  • WebXR
  • Post-processing
  • Physics
  • Loaders
  • Webgl support

Both cover

  • Animation system

What people use each for

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

Cocos2d-x

  • Mobile game developmentnot Three.js
  • 2D gamesnot Three.js
  • Lightweight gamesnot Three.js
  • Cross-platform gamesnot Three.js

Three.js

  • VR Gamingnot Cocos2d-x
  • AR Marketingnot Cocos2d-x
  • Virtual Trainingnot Cocos2d-x
  • 3D Visualizationnot Cocos2d-x
  • Immersive Experiencesnot 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.

Three.js

  • Forward rendering pipeline only, no deferred rendering support
  • No built-in collision detection or spatial indexing, requiring external physics libraries
  • WebGL dependency means no support for non-WebGL environments

Pricing, plan by plan

Cocos2d-x

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

Three.js

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full library
    • WebXR module
    • 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).
Cocos2d-x review

Choose Three.js if

  • You need webgl rendering.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android.
  • You also want scene graph.
Three.js review

Questions people ask

Is Cocos2d-x or Three.js better?
Neither clearly leads. Cocos2d-x starts at Free and Three.js at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Cocos2d-x or Three.js?
Cocos2d-x starts at Free and Three.js at Free.
Does Cocos2d-x or Three.js run on more platforms?
Cocos2d-x runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android. Three.js runs on Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, 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 Three.js is typically brought in for.
What can Cocos2d-x do that Three.js cannot?
Cocos2d-x covers 2D rendering, Physics engine (Chipmunk), Particle effects, Audio engine. Three.js covers WebGL rendering, Scene graph, Materials system, WebXR. Both handle Animation system.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Three.js: Is Three.js free to use?

Yes. Three.js is released under the MIT license, an open-source license that permits unlimited commercial and personal use with no licensing fees.

Source
Three.js: Does Three.js include physics simulation?

No. Three.js is a rendering library only. Physics, collision detection, and spatial indexing must be implemented with external libraries like Rapier, Ammo, or JoltPhysics.

Source
Three.js: Can I use Three.js for offline development?

Yes. Local development requires a local web server for CORS compliance. You can use npm with a build tool like Vite, or run a local Python server for development.

Source
Three.js: Does Three.js support WebXR for VR/AR?

Yes. Three.js documentation includes WebXR APIs for building VR and AR experiences in web browsers.

Source
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