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Software · head to head

GDevelop vs Raylib

GDevelop logo

GDevelop

Software

Create games without coding

From
Free
Rated
-
Raylib logo

Raylib

Software

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

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: GDevelop the free tier allows 3 cloud projects and one desktop or Android build per day; Raylib free and open source with no commercial tier, per the vendor site features section
  • They diverge on capability: GDevelop covers Visual event editor, Raylib covers Graphics rendering.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which GDevelop and Raylib actually diverge.

Attributes where GDevelop and Raylib differ
AttributeGDevelopRaylib
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, WebWindows, Macos, Linux, Android, Web
Founded20102013

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 GDevelop

  • Visual event editor
  • Drag-and-drop interface
  • Physics engine
  • Particle effects
  • Sprite editor
  • Sound editor
  • Scene editor
  • Extensions support

Only in Raylib

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

Both cover

  • Open-source
  • Local deployment
  • Web 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 Raylib
  • Exporting one project to web, desktop, Android and iOSnot Raylib

Raylib

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

Raylib

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

Pricing, plan by plan

GDevelop

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full editor
    • Cross-platform export
    • Asset library

Raylib

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

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 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.

Questions people ask

Is GDevelop or Raylib better?
Neither clearly leads. GDevelop 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, GDevelop or Raylib?
GDevelop starts at Free and Raylib at Free.
Does GDevelop or Raylib run on more platforms?
GDevelop runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web. Raylib runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Android, Web.
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 Raylib is typically brought in for.
What can GDevelop do that Raylib cannot?
GDevelop covers Visual event editor, Drag-and-drop interface, Physics engine, Particle effects. Raylib covers Graphics rendering, Audio system, Input handling, Shapes drawing. Both handle Open-source, Local deployment, Web deployment, Mobile deployment.

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