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Cocos2d-x vs Unity

Cocos2d-x logo

Cocos2d-x

Software

Open-source, lightweight 2D game engine

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Unity logo

Unity

Software

Create beautiful interactive content with the world's leading real-time engine

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.; Unity unity Personal is free only for businesses with under $200,000 in funding or annual revenue; above that a Pro subscription is required
  • They diverge on capability: Cocos2d-x covers 2D rendering, Unity covers Visual editor.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Cocos2d-x and Unity differ
AttributeCocos2d-xUnity
Pricing modelfreefreemium
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, AndroidWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Webgl
Founded20102004

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

Only in Unity

  • Visual editor
  • Physics engine (PhysX)
  • Particle system
  • Built-in audio engine
  • Scripting with C#
  • Asset Store
  • Version control integration
  • Visual Studio Code

Both cover

  • Animation system
  • GitHub
  • Local deployment

What people use each for

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

Cocos2d-x

  • Mobile game developmentnot Unity
  • 2D gamesnot Unity
  • Lightweight gamesnot Unity
  • Cross-platform gamesnot Unity

Unity

  • Building 2D and 3D games for desktop, mobile, web, AR and VRnot Cocos2d-x
  • Shipping console titles under a Pro or Enterprise licencenot Cocos2d-x
  • Real time 3D for manufacturing, automotive and retail visualisationnot Cocos2d-x
  • Live operations and in-app purchase management for mobile gamesnot 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.

Unity

  • Unity Personal is free only for businesses with under $200,000 in funding or annual revenue; above that a Pro subscription is required
  • Unity Pro costs $210.00 per month or $2,310.00 per year per seat
  • Businesses with more than $25M in annual revenue are required to be on Unity Enterprise, which is custom priced and requires contacting sales
  • Deploying to game consoles and to Apple Vision Pro requires Unity Pro or above
  • Splash screen customization is not available on Unity Personal
  • Unity Personal is licensed for gaming and entertainment applications only
  • Read-only engine source code access is an Enterprise feature and carries an additional cost
  • Asset Manager storage on Personal is capped at 10 GB per organization
  • Unity AI tools are free for a 14 day trial on Personal, after which a paid subscription is required
  • Enterprise terms note that minimum subscription or spending commitments may apply

Pricing, plan by plan

Cocos2d-x

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

Unity

Free
  • PersonalFree
    • Full engine access
    • Asset Store access
    • Community support
  • Professional$399/month
    • All Personal features
    • Priority support
    • Advanced analytics

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 Unity if

  • You need visual editor.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Webgl.
  • You also want physics engine (physx).
Unity review

Questions people ask

Is Cocos2d-x or Unity better?
Neither clearly leads. Cocos2d-x starts at Free and Unity at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Cocos2d-x or Unity?
Cocos2d-x starts at Free and Unity at Free.
Does Cocos2d-x or Unity run on more platforms?
Cocos2d-x runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android. Unity runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Webgl.
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 Unity is typically brought in for.
What can Cocos2d-x do that Unity cannot?
Cocos2d-x covers 2D rendering, Physics engine (Chipmunk), Particle effects, Audio engine. Unity covers Visual editor, Physics engine (PhysX), Particle system, Built-in audio engine. Both handle Animation system, GitHub, Local deployment.
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