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Software · head to head

Construct 3 vs LightWave 3D

Construct 3 logo

Construct 3

Software

Create games without coding. Powered by the Scirra engine.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
LightWave 3D logo

LightWave 3D

Software

Complete 3D production suite

From
$999/one-time
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; LightWave 3D user interface appears dated compared to modern competitors
  • They diverge on capability: Construct 3 covers Visual event system, LightWave 3D covers Modeler.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Construct 3 and LightWave 3D actually diverge.

Attributes where Construct 3 and LightWave 3D differ
AttributeConstruct 3LightWave 3D
Starting priceFree$999/one-time
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, WebWindows, macOS, Linux
Founded20071990

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 LightWave 3D

  • Modeler
  • Layout
  • Animation
  • Rendering
  • VPR
  • FiberFX
  • Dynamics
  • Unity

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 LightWave 3D
  • Publishing HTML5 games to the web, desktop and mobile stores from one projectnot LightWave 3D

LightWave 3D

  • Animationnot Construct 3
  • VFXnot Construct 3
  • Product visualizationnot 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

LightWave 3D

  • User interface appears dated compared to modern competitors
  • Smaller community than Blender or Maya, resulting in fewer learning resources
  • Less industry adoption in some sectors, potentially affecting job market relevance

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

LightWave 3D

$999/one-time

No published plan breakdown. See the LightWave 3D 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 LightWave 3D if

  • You need modeler.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want layout.
LightWave 3D review

Questions people ask

Is Construct 3 or LightWave 3D better?
Neither clearly leads. Construct 3 starts at Free and LightWave 3D at $999/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Construct 3 or LightWave 3D?
Construct 3 has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Construct 3 and $999/one-time for LightWave 3D.
Does Construct 3 or LightWave 3D run on more platforms?
Construct 3 runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web. LightWave 3D runs on Windows, macOS, Linux.
Can I use Construct 3 for free?
Yes. Construct 3 has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. LightWave 3D starts at $999/one-time.
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 LightWave 3D is typically brought in for.
What can Construct 3 do that LightWave 3D cannot?
Construct 3 covers Visual event system, Drag-and-drop editor, Physics engine, Sprite editor. LightWave 3D covers Modeler, Layout, Animation, Rendering. Both handle Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

LightWave 3D: What is the cost of LightWave 3D?

LightWave 3D 2026 license costs $1,096 USD. Upgrades from previous versions cost $620-$758 USD. There are no subscription fees, only one-time purchase costs.

Source
LightWave 3D: Is there a free trial available?

Yes. LightWave 3D offers a 30-day free full-feature trial, allowing users to evaluate all capabilities before purchase.

Source
LightWave 3D: What rendering engines does it include?

LightWave 2026 includes RiPR2, a next-generation viewport renderer with physically-based global illumination built on Nvidia OptiX and CUDA, plus traditional rendering options.

Source
LightWave 3D: What new features are in LightWave 2026?

LightWave 2026 adds Advanced Placement for physics-based object scattering, MotoRig for vehicle animation, THOR for lightning effects, Fracture tool, Snow Falling 3D, 3D Camera Tracker, and built-in asset browser.

Source
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