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Software · head to head

Construct 3 vs Tiled

Construct 3 logo

Construct 3

Software

Create games without coding. Powered by the Scirra engine.

From
Free
Rated
-
Tiled logo

Tiled

Software

Flexible level editor for 2D games

From
Free
Rated
-

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; Tiled no official iOS or Android builds; desktop-only distribution
  • They diverge on capability: Construct 3 covers Visual event system, Tiled covers Tile layers.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Construct 3 and Tiled differ
AttributeConstruct 3Tiled
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, WebWindows, macOS, Linux
Founded20072008

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 Tiled

  • Tile layers
  • Object layers
  • Terrain tool
  • Auto-mapping
  • Wang tiles
  • Custom properties
  • Scripting (JavaScript)
  • Multiple export formats

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

Tiled

  • Tile-based maps for RPGs, platformers, and Breakout-style gamesnot Construct 3
  • Orthogonal, isometric, and hexagonal map layoutsnot Construct 3
  • Object layers (rectangles, ellipses, polygons, points) for collision boxes, spawn points, and triggersnot Construct 3
  • Large 'infinite' maps and multi-map world projectsnot Construct 3
  • Export to game engines via built-in/scripted exporters using the open TMX formatnot 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

Tiled

  • No official iOS or Android builds; desktop-only distribution
  • No official browser-based version of the editor itself, despite exporting to many engine formats
  • Building from source requires a Qt 6.2+ / C++ / Qbs toolchain
  • Multi-license codebase (GPL 2.0 application plus Apache 2.0 and BSD components), so redistributors must track which license applies per file

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

Tiled

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Tiled 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.

Choose Tiled if

  • You need tile layers.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want object layers.

Questions people ask

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

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