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CryEngine vs PlayCanvas

CryEngine logo

CryEngine

Software

Build worlds, break limits. Professional game development engine.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
PlayCanvas logo

PlayCanvas

Software

Cloud-based WebGL game development platform

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; PlayCanvas private projects require a paid plan; the Free plan only allows public projects
  • They diverge on capability: CryEngine covers Advanced graphics, PlayCanvas covers Cloud-based editor.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which CryEngine and PlayCanvas actually diverge.

Attributes where CryEngine and PlayCanvas differ
AttributeCryEnginePlayCanvas
Pricing modelfreefreemium
PlatformsWindows, Playstation, Xbox, LinuxWeb, Mobile
Founded19992013

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
  • AI system
  • Animation tools
  • Flow Graph visual scripting
  • C++ and Lua support
  • Entity component system
  • Sandbox editor
  • Visual Studio

Only in PlayCanvas

  • Cloud-based editor
  • Real-time collaboration
  • WebGL rendering
  • Visual scripting
  • Asset library
  • Version control
  • Instant deployment
  • GitHub

Both cover

  • Physics engine

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 PlayCanvas
  • Developing with full engine source code accessnot PlayCanvas
  • Sandbox based level design with what you see is what you get exportnot PlayCanvas

PlayCanvas

  • Building WebGL games and interactive 3D that run in a browsernot CryEngine
  • Browser based collaborative 3D editing across a teamnot CryEngine
  • Web AR and VR experiences, product configurators and playable adsnot 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

PlayCanvas

  • Private projects require a paid plan; the Free plan only allows public projects
  • The Free plan is capped at 1GB of storage, Personal at 10GB and Organization at 50GB
  • Personal costs $15 per month and Organization costs $50 per seat per month
  • Team management is only available on the Organization plan
  • Private projects become locked and inaccessible if the subscription is cancelled, unless they are made public
  • There is no formal educational discount
  • There is no self serve trial of the Personal or Organization plan; an upgrade code must be requested from sales

Pricing, plan by plan

CryEngine

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

PlayCanvas

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Cloud editor
    • WebGL export
    • Community projects
  • Pro$19/month
    • Private projects
    • Advanced features
    • 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 ai system.
CryEngine review

Choose PlayCanvas if

  • You need cloud-based editor.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile.
  • You also want real-time collaboration.
PlayCanvas review

Questions people ask

Is CryEngine or PlayCanvas better?
Neither clearly leads. CryEngine starts at Free and PlayCanvas at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, CryEngine or PlayCanvas?
CryEngine starts at Free and PlayCanvas at Free.
Does CryEngine or PlayCanvas run on more platforms?
CryEngine runs on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux. PlayCanvas runs on Web, Mobile.
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 PlayCanvas is typically brought in for.
What can CryEngine do that PlayCanvas cannot?
CryEngine covers Advanced graphics, AI system, Animation tools, Flow Graph visual scripting. PlayCanvas covers Cloud-based editor, Real-time collaboration, WebGL rendering, Visual scripting. Both handle Physics engine.
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