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Construct 3 vs Buildbox

Construct 3 logo

Construct 3

Software

Create games without coding. Powered by the Scirra engine.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Buildbox logo

Buildbox

Software

Game creation platform for everyone

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Construct 3 the free version caps projects at 50 events, or 25 when used without an account; Buildbox buildbox splits its editor into two separate paid product lines, Buildbox Classic and Buildbox 3, priced and sold as different products rather than tiers of one app (archived pricing page, 8 March 2026)
  • They diverge on capability: Construct 3 covers Visual event system, Buildbox covers Visual game builder.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Construct 3 and Buildbox actually diverge.

Attributes where Construct 3 and Buildbox differ
AttributeConstruct 3Buildbox
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, WebIos, Android, Windows, Macos
Founded20072015

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), 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 Construct 3

  • Visual event system
  • Drag-and-drop editor
  • Sprite editor
  • Particle effects
  • Sound effects
  • Web-based
  • HTML5 support
  • GitHub

Only in Buildbox

  • Visual game builder
  • Drag-and-drop interface
  • Animation system
  • Monetization SDK
  • Analytics integration
  • Cloud compilation
  • Template library
  • AdMob

Both cover

  • Physics engine
  • Mobile deployment
  • Windows support
  • Macos support

What people use each for

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

Construct 3

  • Building 2D browser games without writing codenot Buildbox
  • Publishing HTML5 games to the web, desktop and mobile stores from one projectnot Buildbox

Buildbox

  • Mobile game creationnot Construct 3
  • Casual gamesnot Construct 3
  • Monetized gamesnot Construct 3

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Construct 3

  • The free version caps projects at 50 events, or 25 when used without an account
  • Free projects are limited to 2 layers, 2 special effects, 1 timeline animation of up to 5 seconds and 1 web font
  • The free version can only publish to HTML5 and the Construct Arcade, so desktop, Android, iOS and Facebook Instant Games all need a paid plan
  • Licences are per seat and annual, at $129.99 for Personal, $168.99 for Startup Business and $468.99 for Business

Buildbox

  • Buildbox splits its editor into two separate paid product lines, Buildbox Classic and Buildbox 3, priced and sold as different products rather than tiers of one app (archived pricing page, 8 March 2026)
  • Buildbox Classic Plus is $57.99 USD per year and Buildbox Classic Pro is $137.99 USD per year; Buildbox 3 Plus is $97.99 USD per year and Buildbox 3 Pro is $297.99 USD per year, with a companion audio tool Soundbox sold separately at $49.99 USD per year (archived pricing page, 8 March 2026)
  • The only bundle combining Buildbox 3 Pro, Buildbox Classic Pro, and Soundbox is a separate $447.99 USD per year Ultimate Bundle rather than a natural upgrade path (archived pricing page, 8 March 2026)

Pricing, plan by plan

Construct 3

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Web-based editor
    • HTML5 export
    • Asset library
  • Personal$99/year
    • All Free features
    • Offline editor
    • Advanced export

Buildbox

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Basic game creation
    • Mobile export
    • Community support
  • Premium$19.99/month
    • Advanced features
    • Monetization tools
    • Custom integrations

Which should you pick?

Choose Construct 3 if

  • You need visual event system.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want drag-and-drop editor.
Construct 3 review

Choose Buildbox if

  • You need visual game builder.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Ios, Android, Windows, Macos.
  • You also want drag-and-drop interface.
Buildbox review

Questions people ask

Is Construct 3 or Buildbox better?
Neither clearly leads. Construct 3 starts at Free and Buildbox at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Construct 3 or Buildbox?
Construct 3 starts at Free and Buildbox at Free.
Does Construct 3 or Buildbox run on more platforms?
Construct 3 runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web. Buildbox runs on Ios, Android, Windows, Macos.
Can I use Construct 3 for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Construct 3 best used for?
Construct 3 is most often used for building 2d browser games without writing code, publishing html5 games to the web, desktop and mobile stores from one project. Of those, building 2d browser games without writing code and publishing html5 games to the web, desktop and mobile stores from one project are not what Buildbox is typically brought in for.
What can Construct 3 do that Buildbox cannot?
Construct 3 covers Visual event system, Drag-and-drop editor, Sprite editor, Particle effects. Buildbox covers Visual game builder, Drag-and-drop interface, Animation system, Monetization SDK. Both handle Physics engine, Mobile deployment, Windows support, Macos support.
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