Software · head to head
CryEngine vs FMOD
CryEngine
Software
Build worlds, break limits. Professional game development engine.
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- They diverge on capability: CryEngine covers Advanced graphics, FMOD covers FMOD Studio.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which CryEngine and FMOD actually diverge.
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 CryEngine
- Advanced graphics
- Physics engine
- AI system
- Animation tools
- Flow Graph visual scripting
- C++ and Lua support
- Entity component system
- Sandbox editor
Only in FMOD
- FMOD Studio
- Real-time mixing
- Adaptive music
- 3D audio
- Occlusion
- DSP effects
- Live update
- Profiling tools
Both cover
- Local deployment
- Windows support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
CryEngine
- Building photorealistic first person and open world games with real time global illuminationnot FMOD
- Developing with full engine source code accessnot FMOD
- Sandbox based level design with what you see is what you get exportnot FMOD
FMOD
- Game audionot CryEngine
- Adaptive musicnot CryEngine
- Sound effectsnot CryEngine
- VR audionot CryEngine
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
CryEngine
- A royalty of 5% of Gross Receipts is payable to Crytek on every game built with CRYENGINE
- Royalties are waived only on the first USD 5,000.00 of Gross Receipts per year per game
- Royalties are calculated at source on gross receipts before any publisher or platform deductions, so a developer receiving 70% of USD 100,000 still owes USD 4,750
- Military projects, gambling, simulation, science, architecture and serious games are excluded from the standard licence and are not covered as Games
- The licence forbids combining CRYENGINE with code from other game engine providers
- Supported platforms are limited to those Crytek announces at its sole discretion, listed in the agreement as Windows, Linux, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One
- Support is only provided against payment of a separate Support Fee that Crytek may change at its sole discretion
- Crytek may modify the licence agreement at any time, with the only remedy for disagreement being to stop using CRYENGINE
FMOD
Nothing recorded yet. See the FMOD review.
Pricing, plan by plan
CryEngine
Free- FreeFree
- Full engine access
- Source code
- Asset library
FMOD
Free- IndieFree
- Full feature set
- Up to $200K budget
- All platforms
- Commercial$6000/project
- Full feature set
- Unlimited budget
- Priority support
Which should you pick?
Choose CryEngine if
- You need advanced graphics.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux.
- You also want physics engine.
Choose FMOD if
- You need fmod studio.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Consoles.
- You also want real-time mixing.
Questions people ask
- Is CryEngine or FMOD better?
- Neither clearly leads. CryEngine starts at Free and FMOD at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, CryEngine or FMOD?
- CryEngine starts at Free and FMOD at Free.
- Does CryEngine or FMOD run on more platforms?
- CryEngine runs on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux. FMOD runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Consoles.
- Can I use CryEngine for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is CryEngine best used for?
- CryEngine is most often used for building photorealistic first person and open world games with real time global illumination, developing with full engine source code access, sandbox based level design with what you see is what you get export. Of those, building photorealistic first person and open world games with real time global illumination and developing with full engine source code access are not what FMOD is typically brought in for.
- What can CryEngine do that FMOD cannot?
- CryEngine covers Advanced graphics, Physics engine, AI system, Animation tools. FMOD covers FMOD Studio, Real-time mixing, Adaptive music, 3D audio. Both handle Local deployment, Windows support.