Software · head to head
GDevelop vs Godot Engine
The short version
- Each has a real cost: GDevelop the free tier allows 3 cloud projects and one desktop or Android build per day; Godot Engine no royalties or licensing fees, but requires self-hosting and maintenance of the engine builds
- They diverge on capability: GDevelop covers Visual event editor, Godot Engine covers Scene system.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which GDevelop and Godot Engine actually diverge.
| Attribute | GDevelop | Godot Engine |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | free | open-source |
| Platforms | Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web | Linux, macOS, Windows, Android, iOS, Web, Consoles |
| Founded | 2010 | 2007 |
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 GDevelop
- Visual event editor
- Drag-and-drop interface
- Particle effects
- Sprite editor
- Sound editor
- Scene editor
- Extensions support
- Firebase
Only in Godot Engine
- Scene system
- GDScript language
- Visual shader editor
- 2D and 3D rendering
- Built-in animation tools
- Debugging tools
- Asset library
- Git
Both cover
- Physics engine
- GitHub
- Local deployment
- Web deployment
- Windows support
- Macos support
- Linux support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
GDevelop
- Building 2D games with visual event logic rather than codenot Godot Engine
- Exporting one project to web, desktop, Android and iOSnot Godot Engine
Godot Engine
- 2D game developmentnot GDevelop
- 3D game developmentnot GDevelop
- Cross-platform game deploymentnot GDevelop
- VFX and simulation projectsnot GDevelop
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
GDevelop
- The free tier allows 3 cloud projects and one desktop or Android build per day
- Free accounts get one leaderboard per game
- Publishing to the iOS App Store requires the Gold plan, which caps those exports at 15 a month
- AI credits are metered per tier, from 40 a month on free to 3,000 a week on Pro
Godot Engine
- No royalties or licensing fees, but requires self-hosting and maintenance of the engine builds
- Console export support exists but requires additional SDK setup and licensing with each console manufacturer separately
Pricing, plan by plan
GDevelop
Free- FreeFree
- Full editor
- Cross-platform export
- Asset library
Godot Engine
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Godot Engine review.
Which should you pick?
Choose GDevelop if
- You need visual event editor.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
- You also want drag-and-drop interface.
Choose Godot Engine if
- You need scene system.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Linux, macOS, Windows, Android, iOS, Web, Consoles.
- You also want gdscript language.
Questions people ask
- Is GDevelop or Godot Engine better?
- Neither clearly leads. GDevelop starts at Free and Godot Engine at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, GDevelop or Godot Engine?
- GDevelop starts at Free and Godot Engine at Free.
- Does GDevelop or Godot Engine run on more platforms?
- GDevelop runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web. Godot Engine runs on Linux, macOS, Windows, Android, iOS, Web, Consoles.
- Can I use GDevelop for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is GDevelop best used for?
- GDevelop is most often used for building 2d games with visual event logic rather than code, exporting one project to web, desktop, android and ios. Of those, building 2d games with visual event logic rather than code and exporting one project to web, desktop, android and ios are not what Godot Engine is typically brought in for.
- What can GDevelop do that Godot Engine cannot?
- GDevelop covers Visual event editor, Drag-and-drop interface, Particle effects, Sprite editor. Godot Engine covers Scene system, GDScript language, Visual shader editor, 2D and 3D rendering. Both handle Physics engine, GitHub, Local deployment, Web deployment.