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Construct 3 vs Panda3D

Construct 3 logo

Construct 3

Software

Create games without coding. Powered by the Scirra engine.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Panda3D logo

Panda3D

Software

Free, open-source 3D engine for game development

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; Panda3D completely free to use including for commercial projects, with source code available under the permissive BSD license, no paid tier
  • They diverge on capability: Construct 3 covers Visual event system, Panda3D covers 3D graphics rendering.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Construct 3 and Panda3D actually diverge.

Attributes where Construct 3 and Panda3D differ
AttributeConstruct 3Panda3D
Pricing modelfreemiumfree
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, WebWindows, Macos, Linux
Founded20071999

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 Construct 3

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

Only in Panda3D

  • 3D graphics rendering
  • Physics engine (Bullet)
  • Audio system
  • Input handling
  • Skeletal animation
  • Shading
  • Scene management
  • Python

Both cover

  • Particle effects
  • Local deployment
  • Windows support
  • Macos support
  • Linux 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 Panda3D
  • Publishing HTML5 games to the web, desktop and mobile stores from one projectnot Panda3D

Panda3D

  • 3D game developmentnot Construct 3
  • 3D applicationsnot Construct 3
  • Game prototypingnot Construct 3
  • 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

Panda3D

  • Completely free to use including for commercial projects, with source code available under the permissive BSD license, no paid tier

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

Panda3D

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full engine
    • Python and C++
    • 3D graphics

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 Panda3D if

  • You need 3d graphics rendering.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux.
  • You also want physics engine (bullet).
Panda3D review

Questions people ask

Is Construct 3 or Panda3D better?
Neither clearly leads. Construct 3 starts at Free and Panda3D at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Construct 3 or Panda3D?
Construct 3 starts at Free and Panda3D at Free.
Does Construct 3 or Panda3D run on more platforms?
Construct 3 runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web. Panda3D runs on Windows, Macos, Linux.
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 Panda3D is typically brought in for.
What can Construct 3 do that Panda3D cannot?
Construct 3 covers Visual event system, Drag-and-drop editor, Physics engine, Sprite editor. Panda3D covers 3D graphics rendering, Physics engine (Bullet), Audio system, Input handling. Both handle Particle effects, Local deployment, Windows support, Macos support.
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