Game Development · head to head
GDevelop vs jMonkeyEngine
The short version
- Each has a real cost: GDevelop the free tier allows 3 cloud projects and one desktop or Android build per day; jMonkeyEngine jMonkeyEngine is a code-first Java library with no bundled editor; the engine itself ships no scene editor
- They diverge on capability: GDevelop covers Visual event editor, jMonkeyEngine covers 3D graphics rendering.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which GDevelop and jMonkeyEngine actually diverge.
| Attribute | GDevelop | jMonkeyEngine |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web | Windows, Macos, Linux, Android |
| Founded | 2010 | 2003 |
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 GDevelop
- Visual event editor
- Drag-and-drop interface
- Physics engine
- Sprite editor
- Sound editor
- Extensions support
- GitHub
- Firebase
Only in jMonkeyEngine
- 3D graphics rendering
- Physics engine (Bullet)
- Audio system
- Material system
- Lighting and shadows
- Skeletal animation
- Java
- Bullet Physics
Both cover
- Particle effects
- Scene editor
- Open-source
- Local deployment
- Mobile deployment
- Windows support
- Macos support
- Linux support
- Android 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 jMonkeyEngine
- Exporting one project to web, desktop, Android and iOSnot jMonkeyEngine
jMonkeyEngine
- Writing 3D games in Java against a BSD-licensed open source enginenot GDevelop
- Using the engine as a plain Java library inside an existing Gradle or Maven buildnot GDevelop
- Building desktop 3D applications with LWJGL renderingnot 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
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
GDevelop
Free- FreeFree
- Full editor
- Cross-platform export
- Asset library
jMonkeyEngine
Free- FreeFree
- Full engine
- Java support
- 3D graphics
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 jMonkeyEngine if
- You need 3d graphics rendering.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Android.
- You also want physics engine (bullet).
Questions people ask
- Is GDevelop or jMonkeyEngine better?
- Neither clearly leads. GDevelop 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, GDevelop or jMonkeyEngine?
- GDevelop starts at Free and jMonkeyEngine at Free.
- Does GDevelop or jMonkeyEngine run on more platforms?
- GDevelop runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web. jMonkeyEngine runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Android.
- 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 jMonkeyEngine is typically brought in for.
- What can GDevelop do that jMonkeyEngine cannot?
- GDevelop covers Visual event editor, Drag-and-drop interface, Physics engine, Sprite editor. jMonkeyEngine covers 3D graphics rendering, Physics engine (Bullet), Audio system, Material system. Both handle Particle effects, Scene editor, Open-source, Local deployment.