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Game Development · head to head

Construct 3 vs Spark AR Studio

Construct 3 logo

Construct 3

Game Development

Create games without coding. Powered by the Scirra engine.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Spark AR Studio logo

Spark AR Studio

Game Development

Professional AR effect creation for Meta platforms

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; Spark AR Studio 4MB file size limit compared to Lens Studio's 8MB
  • They diverge on capability: Construct 3 covers Visual event system, Spark AR Studio covers Visual programming.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Construct 3 and Spark AR Studio actually diverge.

Attributes where Construct 3 and Spark AR Studio differ
AttributeConstruct 3Spark AR Studio
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, WebDesktop
CategoryGame DevelopmentUnknown
Founded20072004

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Spark AR Studio

  • Visual programming
  • Face tracking
  • World effects
  • Scripting API
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Messenger
  • Meta Quest

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 Spark AR Studio
  • Publishing HTML5 games to the web, desktop and mobile stores from one projectnot Spark AR Studio

Spark AR Studio

  • VR Gamingnot Construct 3
  • AR Marketingnot Construct 3
  • Virtual Trainingnot Construct 3
  • 3D Visualizationnot Construct 3
  • Immersive Experiencesnot 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

Spark AR Studio

  • 4MB file size limit compared to Lens Studio's 8MB
  • No 3D body tracking capability unlike competing platforms
  • Limited to Instagram and Facebook ecosystem

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

Spark AR Studio

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Spark AR Studio 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 Spark AR Studio if

  • You need visual programming.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Desktop.
  • You also want face tracking.
Spark AR Studio review

Questions people ask

Is Construct 3 or Spark AR Studio better?
Neither clearly leads. Construct 3 starts at Free and Spark AR Studio at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Construct 3 or Spark AR Studio?
Construct 3 starts at Free and Spark AR Studio at Free.
Does Construct 3 or Spark AR Studio run on more platforms?
Construct 3 runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web. Spark AR Studio runs on Desktop.
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 Spark AR Studio is typically brought in for.
What can Construct 3 do that Spark AR Studio cannot?
Construct 3 covers Visual event system, Drag-and-drop editor, Physics engine, Sprite editor. Spark AR Studio covers Visual programming, Face tracking, World effects, Scripting API.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Spark AR Studio: Is Spark AR Studio still available?

No. Meta announced it would shutter Spark AR at the start of 2026, ending support for new effect submissions.

Source
Spark AR Studio: Was Spark AR Studio free?

Yes. Meta Spark Studio was available as a free download for creating AR effects.

Spark AR Studio: What platforms did Spark AR support?

Spark AR Studio enabled building AR effects for Instagram and Facebook with optional code-based scripting.

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