Game Development · head to head
CryEngine vs Godot Engine
CryEngine
Game Development
Build worlds, break limits. Professional game development engine.
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Godot Engine
Game Development
Free and open-source 2D and 3D game engine
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: CryEngine a royalty of 5% of Gross Receipts is payable to Crytek on every game built with CRYENGINE; Godot Engine no royalties or licensing fees, but requires self-hosting and maintenance of the engine builds
- They diverge on capability: CryEngine covers Advanced graphics, Godot Engine covers Scene system.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which CryEngine and Godot Engine actually diverge.
| Attribute | CryEngine | Godot Engine |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | free | open-source |
| Platforms | Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux | Linux, macOS, Windows, Android, iOS, Web, Consoles |
| Founded | 1999 | 2007 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Game Development).
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
- AI system
- Animation tools
- Flow Graph visual scripting
- C++ and Lua support
- Entity component system
- Sandbox editor
- Visual Studio
Only in Godot Engine
- Scene system
- GDScript language
- Visual shader editor
- 2D and 3D rendering
- Built-in animation tools
- Debugging tools
- Asset library
- Git
Both cover
- Physics engine
- Local deployment
- Console 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 Godot Engine
- Developing with full engine source code accessnot Godot Engine
- Sandbox based level design with what you see is what you get exportnot Godot Engine
Godot Engine
- 2D game developmentnot CryEngine
- 3D game developmentnot CryEngine
- Cross-platform game deploymentnot CryEngine
- VFX and simulation projectsnot 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
Godot Engine
- No royalties or licensing fees, but requires self-hosting and maintenance of the engine builds
- Console export support exists but requires additional SDK setup and licensing with each console manufacturer separately
Pricing, plan by plan
CryEngine
Free- FreeFree
- Full engine access
- Source code
- Asset library
Godot Engine
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Godot Engine review.
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 ai system.
Choose Godot Engine if
- You need scene system.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Linux, macOS, Windows, Android, iOS, Web, Consoles.
- You also want gdscript language.
Questions people ask
- Is CryEngine or Godot Engine better?
- Neither clearly leads. CryEngine starts at Free and Godot Engine at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, CryEngine or Godot Engine?
- CryEngine starts at Free and Godot Engine at Free.
- Does CryEngine or Godot Engine run on more platforms?
- CryEngine runs on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux. Godot Engine runs on Linux, macOS, Windows, Android, iOS, Web, 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 Godot Engine is typically brought in for.
- What can CryEngine do that Godot Engine cannot?
- CryEngine covers Advanced graphics, AI system, Animation tools, Flow Graph visual scripting. Godot Engine covers Scene system, GDScript language, Visual shader editor, 2D and 3D rendering. Both handle Physics engine, Local deployment, Console deployment, Windows support.