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CryEngine vs Raylib

CryEngine logo

CryEngine

Software

Build worlds, break limits. Professional game development engine.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Raylib logo

Raylib

Software

A simple and easy-to-use library for game development

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; Raylib free and open source with no commercial tier, per the vendor site features section
  • They diverge on capability: CryEngine covers Advanced graphics, Raylib covers Graphics rendering.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which CryEngine and Raylib actually diverge.

Attributes where CryEngine and Raylib differ
AttributeCryEngineRaylib
PlatformsWindows, Playstation, Xbox, LinuxWindows, Macos, Linux, Android, Web
Founded19992013

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 Raylib

  • Graphics rendering
  • Audio system
  • Input handling
  • Shapes drawing
  • Sprite management
  • Collision detection
  • Font rendering
  • Text input

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

Raylib

  • Simple 2D gamesnot CryEngine
  • Game prototypingnot CryEngine
  • Educational gamesnot CryEngine
  • Learning game developmentnot 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

Raylib

  • Free and open source with no commercial tier, per the vendor site features section

Pricing, plan by plan

CryEngine

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

Raylib

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full library
    • C/C++ support
    • Graphics rendering

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 Raylib if

  • You need graphics rendering.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Android, Web.
  • You also want audio system.
Raylib review

Questions people ask

Is CryEngine or Raylib better?
Neither clearly leads. CryEngine starts at Free and Raylib at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, CryEngine or Raylib?
CryEngine starts at Free and Raylib at Free.
Does CryEngine or Raylib run on more platforms?
CryEngine runs on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux. Raylib runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Android, Web.
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 Raylib is typically brought in for.
What can CryEngine do that Raylib cannot?
CryEngine covers Advanced graphics, Physics engine, AI system, Animation tools. Raylib covers Graphics rendering, Audio system, Input handling, Shapes drawing. Both handle Local deployment, Windows support.
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