Software · head to head
Flax Engine vs jMonkeyEngine
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Flax Engine flax charges a 4% royalty on game earnings above $250,000, assessed per calendar quarter; jMonkeyEngine jMonkeyEngine is a code-first Java library with no bundled editor; the engine itself ships no scene editor
- They diverge on capability: Flax Engine covers Visual editor, jMonkeyEngine covers Physics engine (Bullet).
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Flax Engine and jMonkeyEngine actually diverge.
| Attribute | Flax Engine | jMonkeyEngine |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows, Linux, Playstation, Xbox | Windows, Macos, Linux, Android |
| Founded | 2017 | 2003 |
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 Flax Engine
- Visual editor
- C# scripting
- Physics engine
- Lighting system
- C#
- .NET
- Visual Studio
- Console deployment
Only in jMonkeyEngine
- Physics engine (Bullet)
- Scene editor
- Lighting and shadows
- Java
- Bullet Physics
- Maven
- Mobile deployment
- Macos support
Both cover
- 3D graphics rendering
- Audio system
- Particle effects
- Skeletal animation
- Material system
- Open-source
- Local deployment
- Windows support
- Linux support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Flax Engine
- Building 3D games in C# and C++ with full engine source accessnot jMonkeyEngine
- Multi-platform deployment from one editornot jMonkeyEngine
- Prototyping with the bundled Flax Samples projectsnot jMonkeyEngine
jMonkeyEngine
- Writing 3D games in Java against a BSD-licensed open source enginenot Flax Engine
- Using the engine as a plain Java library inside an existing Gradle or Maven buildnot Flax Engine
- Building desktop 3D applications with LWJGL renderingnot Flax Engine
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Flax Engine
- Flax charges a 4% royalty on game earnings above $250,000, assessed per calendar quarter
- Free use is granted for non-commercial or educational usage; commercial releases fall under the royalty
- Users must accept the Flax Engine End-User License Agreement before using the engine or its tools, so it is not an OSI open source licence despite the source being on GitHub
- Non-game uses such as in-house tools or SaaS products need a custom licence negotiated with the vendor, and no rate card is published for per-seat or flat-fee options
jMonkeyEngine
- jMonkeyEngine is a code-first Java library with no bundled editor; the engine itself ships no scene editor
- The optional jMonkeyEngine SDK is a NetBeans-based tool maintained separately from the engine, so it lags the engine release cycle
- Projects must be written in Java and wired up through Gradle, Maven or a hand-rolled build
- Choosing the DIY route means providing your own build, source layout, editor, runtime packaging and workflow
- Support runs through community Discussions and Discord rather than a vendor channel
Pricing, plan by plan
Flax Engine
Free- FreeFree
- Full engine
- Visual editor
- C# scripting
jMonkeyEngine
Free- FreeFree
- Full engine
- Java support
- 3D graphics
Which should you pick?
Choose Flax Engine if
- You need visual editor.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Linux, Playstation, Xbox.
- You also want c# scripting.
Choose jMonkeyEngine if
- You need physics engine (bullet).
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Android.
- You also want scene editor.
Questions people ask
- Is Flax Engine or jMonkeyEngine better?
- Neither clearly leads. Flax Engine starts at Free and jMonkeyEngine at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Flax Engine or jMonkeyEngine?
- Flax Engine starts at Free and jMonkeyEngine at Free.
- Does Flax Engine or jMonkeyEngine run on more platforms?
- Flax Engine runs on Windows, Linux, Playstation, Xbox. jMonkeyEngine runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Android.
- Can I use Flax Engine for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Flax Engine best used for?
- Flax Engine is most often used for building 3d games in c# and c++ with full engine source access, multi-platform deployment from one editor, prototyping with the bundled flax samples projects. Of those, building 3d games in c# and c++ with full engine source access and multi-platform deployment from one editor are not what jMonkeyEngine is typically brought in for.
- What can Flax Engine do that jMonkeyEngine cannot?
- Flax Engine covers Visual editor, C# scripting, Physics engine, Lighting system. jMonkeyEngine covers Physics engine (Bullet), Scene editor, Lighting and shadows, Java. Both handle 3D graphics rendering, Audio system, Particle effects, Skeletal animation.