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Construct 3 vs Pygame

Construct 3 logo

Construct 3

Software

Create games without coding. Powered by the Scirra engine.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Pygame logo

Pygame

Software

Python library 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; Pygame licensed under GNU LGPL v2.1, free to use even in closed-source and commercial games, no paid tier
  • They diverge on capability: Construct 3 covers Visual event system, Pygame covers Graphics rendering.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Construct 3 and Pygame differ
AttributeConstruct 3Pygame
Pricing modelfreemiumfree
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, WebWindows, Macos, Linux, Android
Founded20072000

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
  • Particle effects
  • Sound effects
  • Web-based
  • HTML5 support

Only in Pygame

  • Graphics rendering
  • Audio playback
  • Input handling
  • Sprite system
  • Collision detection
  • Font rendering
  • Animation support
  • Event system

Both cover

  • 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 Pygame
  • Publishing HTML5 games to the web, desktop and mobile stores from one projectnot Pygame

Pygame

  • 2D game developmentnot Construct 3
  • Game prototypingnot Construct 3
  • Educational gamesnot Construct 3
  • Learning game developmentnot 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

Pygame

  • Licensed under GNU LGPL v2.1, free to use even in closed-source and commercial games, 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

Pygame

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full library
    • Python support
    • Graphics rendering

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 Pygame if

  • You need graphics rendering.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Android.
  • You also want audio playback.
Pygame review

Questions people ask

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