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Construct 3 vs Raylib

Construct 3 logo

Construct 3

Software

Create games without coding. Powered by the Scirra engine.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Raylib logo

Raylib

Software

A simple and easy-to-use 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; Raylib free and open source with no commercial tier, per the vendor site features section
  • They diverge on capability: Construct 3 covers Visual event system, Raylib covers Graphics rendering.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Construct 3 and Raylib differ
AttributeConstruct 3Raylib
Pricing modelfreemiumfree
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, WebWindows, Macos, Linux, Android, Web
Founded20072013

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 Raylib

  • Graphics rendering
  • Audio system
  • Input handling
  • Shapes drawing
  • Sprite management
  • Collision detection
  • Font rendering
  • Text input

Both cover

  • Local deployment
  • Web deployment
  • Mobile 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 Raylib
  • Publishing HTML5 games to the web, desktop and mobile stores from one projectnot Raylib

Raylib

  • Simple 2D gamesnot 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

Raylib

  • Free and open source with no commercial tier, per the vendor site features section

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

Raylib

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full library
    • C/C++ 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 Raylib if

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

Questions people ask

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