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Construct 3 vs Corona Renderer

Construct 3 logo

Construct 3

Software

Create games without coding. Powered by the Scirra engine.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Corona Renderer logo

Corona Renderer

Software

Modern high-performance rendering

From
$414/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Construct 3 has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Construct 3 the free version caps projects at 50 events, or 25 when used without an account; Corona Renderer plugs into 3ds Max and Cinema 4D only, so it is not available for Blender, Maya or standalone use
  • They diverge on capability: Construct 3 covers Visual event system, Corona Renderer covers Unbiased rendering.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Construct 3 and Corona Renderer actually diverge.

Attributes where Construct 3 and Corona Renderer differ
AttributeConstruct 3Corona Renderer
Starting priceFree$414/year
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, WebWindows, macOS
Founded20072009

Identical on both: 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
  • Physics engine
  • Sprite editor
  • Particle effects
  • Sound effects
  • Web-based
  • HTML5 support

Only in Corona Renderer

  • Unbiased rendering
  • Interactive rendering
  • LightMix
  • Scatter
  • Materials
  • 3ds Max
  • Cinema 4D
  • License management

Both cover

  • Windows 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 Corona Renderer
  • Publishing HTML5 games to the web, desktop and mobile stores from one projectnot Corona Renderer

Corona Renderer

  • Photorealistic architectural visualisation rendersnot Construct 3
  • Interior and exterior stills from 3ds Maxnot Construct 3
  • Motion graphics rendering from Cinema 4Dnot Construct 3
  • Rendering with minimal setup thanks to defaults tuned for archviznot 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

Corona Renderer

  • Plugs into 3ds Max and Cinema 4D only, so it is not available for Blender, Maya or standalone use
  • Sold by subscription rather than perpetual licence, from $414 a year for Corona Solo
  • Asset library access is metered by tier, at 15,000 assets on Solo against 18,500 on Premium
  • AI credits are capped monthly, at 100 on Solo and 500 on Premium
  • Real-time ray tracing through Vantage requires the Corona Collection tier at $994.80 a year

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

Corona Renderer

$414/year

No published plan breakdown. See the Corona Renderer review.

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 Corona Renderer if

  • You need unbiased rendering.
  • You work on Windows, macOS.
  • You also want interactive rendering.
Corona Renderer review

Questions people ask

Is Construct 3 or Corona Renderer better?
Neither clearly leads. Construct 3 starts at Free and Corona Renderer at $414/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Construct 3 or Corona Renderer?
Construct 3 has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Construct 3 and $414/year for Corona Renderer.
Does Construct 3 or Corona Renderer run on more platforms?
Construct 3 runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web. Corona Renderer runs on Windows, macOS.
Can I use Construct 3 for free?
Yes. Construct 3 has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Corona Renderer starts at $414/year.
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 Corona Renderer is typically brought in for.
What can Construct 3 do that Corona Renderer cannot?
Construct 3 covers Visual event system, Drag-and-drop editor, Physics engine, Sprite editor. Corona Renderer covers Unbiased rendering, Interactive rendering, LightMix, Scatter. Both handle Windows support.
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