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Game Development · head to head

Cocos2d-x vs Tiled

Cocos2d-x logo

Cocos2d-x

Game Development

Open-source, lightweight 2D game engine

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Tiled logo

Tiled

Game Development

Flexible level editor for 2D games

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.; Tiled no official iOS or Android builds; desktop-only distribution
  • They diverge on capability: Cocos2d-x covers 2D rendering, Tiled covers Tile layers.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Cocos2d-x and Tiled differ
AttributeCocos2d-xTiled
Pricing modelfreeUnknown
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, AndroidWindows, macOS, Linux
Founded20102008

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

Only in Tiled

  • Tile layers
  • Object layers
  • Terrain tool
  • Auto-mapping
  • Wang tiles
  • Custom properties
  • Scripting (JavaScript)
  • Multiple export formats

Both cover

  • Local 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 Tiled
  • 2D gamesnot Tiled
  • Lightweight gamesnot Tiled
  • Cross-platform gamesnot Tiled

Tiled

  • Tile-based maps for RPGs, platformers, and Breakout-style gamesnot Cocos2d-x
  • Orthogonal, isometric, and hexagonal map layoutsnot Cocos2d-x
  • Object layers (rectangles, ellipses, polygons, points) for collision boxes, spawn points, and triggersnot Cocos2d-x
  • Large 'infinite' maps and multi-map world projectsnot Cocos2d-x
  • Export to game engines via built-in/scripted exporters using the open TMX formatnot 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.

Tiled

  • No official iOS or Android builds; desktop-only distribution
  • No official browser-based version of the editor itself, despite exporting to many engine formats
  • Building from source requires a Qt 6.2+ / C++ / Qbs toolchain
  • Multi-license codebase (GPL 2.0 application plus Apache 2.0 and BSD components), so redistributors must track which license applies per file

Pricing, plan by plan

Cocos2d-x

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

Tiled

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Tiled 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 Tiled if

  • You need tile layers.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want object layers.
Tiled review

Questions people ask

Is Cocos2d-x or Tiled better?
Neither clearly leads. Cocos2d-x starts at Free and Tiled at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Cocos2d-x or Tiled?
Cocos2d-x starts at Free and Tiled at Free.
Does Cocos2d-x or Tiled run on more platforms?
Cocos2d-x runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android. Tiled runs on Windows, macOS, Linux.
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 Tiled is typically brought in for.
What can Cocos2d-x do that Tiled cannot?
Cocos2d-x covers 2D rendering, Physics engine (Chipmunk), Particle effects, Animation system. Tiled covers Tile layers, Object layers, Terrain tool, Auto-mapping. Both handle Local deployment, Windows support, Macos support, Linux support.
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