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CryEngine vs Instagram AR Effects

CryEngine logo

CryEngine

Software

Build worlds, break limits. Professional game development engine.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Instagram AR Effects logo

Instagram AR Effects

Software

Creative AR effects for Instagram Stories and Reels

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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; Instagram AR Effects meta shut down third party AR effect creation tools: "Meta Spark's platform of third party tools and content will no longer be available effective January 14, 2025"
  • They diverge on capability: CryEngine covers Advanced graphics, Instagram AR Effects covers Face effects.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which CryEngine and Instagram AR Effects actually diverge.

Attributes where CryEngine and Instagram AR Effects differ
AttributeCryEngineInstagram AR Effects
PlatformsWindows, Playstation, Xbox, LinuxAr, Ios, Android
Founded19992004

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (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 Instagram AR Effects

  • Face effects
  • World effects
  • Interactive filters
  • Beauty effects
  • Spark AR Studio
  • Instagram Stories
  • Reels
  • Ar 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 Instagram AR Effects
  • Developing with full engine source code accessnot Instagram AR Effects
  • Sandbox based level design with what you see is what you get exportnot Instagram AR Effects

Instagram AR Effects

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

Instagram AR Effects

  • Meta shut down third party AR effect creation tools: "Meta Spark's platform of third party tools and content will no longer be available effective January 14, 2025"

Pricing, plan by plan

CryEngine

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full engine access
    • Source code
    • Asset library

Instagram AR Effects

Free
  • FreeFree
    • AR effects library
    • Effect creation
    • Publishing

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.
CryEngine review

Choose Instagram AR Effects if

  • You need face effects.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Ar, Ios, Android.
  • You also want world effects.
Instagram AR Effects review

Questions people ask

Is CryEngine or Instagram AR Effects better?
Neither clearly leads. CryEngine starts at Free and Instagram AR Effects at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, CryEngine or Instagram AR Effects?
CryEngine starts at Free and Instagram AR Effects at Free.
Does CryEngine or Instagram AR Effects run on more platforms?
CryEngine runs on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux. Instagram AR Effects runs on Ar, Ios, Android.
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 Instagram AR Effects is typically brought in for.
What can CryEngine do that Instagram AR Effects cannot?
CryEngine covers Advanced graphics, Physics engine, AI system, Animation tools. Instagram AR Effects covers Face effects, World effects, Interactive filters, Beauty effects.
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