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Game Development · head to head

Flax Engine vs libGDX

Flax Engine logo

Flax Engine

Game Development

Modern 3D game engine with visual editor

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
libGDX logo

libGDX

Game Development

Java-based game development framework

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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; libGDX libGDX is a Java framework built on OpenGL ES, so projects are tied to the JVM toolchain
  • They diverge on capability: Flax Engine covers 3D graphics rendering, libGDX covers Java language support.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Flax Engine and libGDX actually diverge.

Attributes where Flax Engine and libGDX differ
AttributeFlax EnginelibGDX
PlatformsWindows, Linux, Playstation, XboxWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web
Founded20172010

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (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 Flax Engine

  • 3D graphics rendering
  • Visual editor
  • C# scripting
  • Physics engine
  • Audio system
  • Skeletal animation
  • Material system
  • Lighting system

Only in libGDX

  • Java language support
  • Graphics rendering
  • Audio engine
  • Input handling
  • Physics integration (Box2D)
  • Animation system
  • 2D and 3D rendering
  • Java

Both cover

  • Particle effects
  • 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 libGDX
  • Multi-platform deployment from one editornot libGDX
  • Prototyping with the bundled Flax Samples projectsnot libGDX

libGDX

  • Writing 2D or 3D games in Java from a single codebasenot Flax Engine
  • Publishing a Java game to desktop, Android, iOS and HTML5not Flax Engine
  • Rapid prototyping where an opinionated engine workflow is unwantednot 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

libGDX

  • libGDX is a Java framework built on OpenGL ES, so projects are tied to the JVM toolchain
  • Publishing targets are limited to Windows, macOS, Linux including Raspberry Pi, Android, iOS and HTML5
  • libGDX is a community-maintained Apache 2.0 project with no vendor and no paid support tier
  • libGDX ships as a framework rather than an editor, so there is no visual scene editor included

Pricing, plan by plan

Flax Engine

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full engine
    • Visual editor
    • C# scripting

libGDX

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full framework
    • Java support
    • Cross-platform

Which should you pick?

Choose Flax Engine if

  • You need 3d graphics rendering.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Linux, Playstation, Xbox.
  • You also want visual editor.
Flax Engine review

Choose libGDX if

  • You need java language support.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want graphics rendering.
libGDX review

Questions people ask

Is Flax Engine or libGDX better?
Neither clearly leads. Flax Engine starts at Free and libGDX at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Flax Engine or libGDX?
Flax Engine starts at Free and libGDX at Free.
Does Flax Engine or libGDX run on more platforms?
Flax Engine runs on Windows, Linux, Playstation, Xbox. libGDX runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
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 libGDX is typically brought in for.
What can Flax Engine do that libGDX cannot?
Flax Engine covers 3D graphics rendering, Visual editor, C# scripting, Physics engine. libGDX covers Java language support, Graphics rendering, Audio engine, Input handling. Both handle Particle effects, Open-source, Local deployment, Windows support.
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