Software · head to head
jMonkeyEngine vs Bevy
Bevy
Software
A refreshingly simple data-driven game engine built in Rust
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: jMonkeyEngine jMonkeyEngine is a code-first Java library with no bundled editor; the engine itself ships no scene editor; Bevy rust only, so it assumes a language most game teams do not already use
- They diverge on capability: jMonkeyEngine covers 3D graphics rendering, Bevy covers Entity Component System.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which jMonkeyEngine and Bevy actually diverge.
| Attribute | jMonkeyEngine | Bevy |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows, Macos, Linux, Android | Windows, Macos, Linux, Webgl |
| Founded | 2003 | 2020 |
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 jMonkeyEngine
- 3D graphics rendering
- Physics engine (Bullet)
- Scene editor
- Material system
- Lighting and shadows
- Skeletal animation
- Particle effects
- Java
Only in Bevy
- Entity Component System
- 2D/3D rendering
- Asset pipeline
- Hot reloading
- Cross-platform
- Modular architecture
- Parallel systems
- Rust ecosystem
Both cover
- Audio system
- Local deployment
- Windows support
- Macos support
- Linux support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
jMonkeyEngine
- Writing 3D games in Java against a BSD-licensed open source enginenot Bevy
- Using the engine as a plain Java library inside an existing Gradle or Maven buildnot Bevy
- Building desktop 3D applications with LWJGL renderingnot Bevy
Bevy
- 2D and 3D game development in Rustnot jMonkeyEngine
- Data-driven design using an entity component systemnot jMonkeyEngine
- Shipping to Windows, macOS, Linux, web, iOS and Android from one codebasenot jMonkeyEngine
- Projects wanting a permissive licence with no royalties or feesnot jMonkeyEngine
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
Bevy
- Rust only, so it assumes a language most game teams do not already use
- No visual editor of the kind Unity or Godot provide, so scenes and logic are written in code
- Built around ECS, which is a different mental model from the scene-graph engines most developers come from
Pricing, plan by plan
jMonkeyEngine
Free- FreeFree
- Full engine
- Java support
- 3D graphics
Bevy
Free- Open SourceFree
- Full engine access
- ECS architecture
- Hot reloading
Which should you pick?
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).
Choose Bevy if
- You need entity component system.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Webgl.
- You also want 2d/3d rendering.
Questions people ask
- Is jMonkeyEngine or Bevy better?
- Neither clearly leads. jMonkeyEngine starts at Free and Bevy at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, jMonkeyEngine or Bevy?
- jMonkeyEngine starts at Free and Bevy at Free.
- Does jMonkeyEngine or Bevy run on more platforms?
- jMonkeyEngine runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Android. Bevy runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Webgl.
- Can I use jMonkeyEngine for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is jMonkeyEngine best used for?
- jMonkeyEngine is most often used for writing 3d games in java against a bsd-licensed open source engine, using the engine as a plain java library inside an existing gradle or maven build, building desktop 3d applications with lwjgl rendering. Of those, writing 3d games in java against a bsd-licensed open source engine and using the engine as a plain java library inside an existing gradle or maven build are not what Bevy is typically brought in for.
- What can jMonkeyEngine do that Bevy cannot?
- jMonkeyEngine covers 3D graphics rendering, Physics engine (Bullet), Scene editor, Material system. Bevy covers Entity Component System, 2D/3D rendering, Asset pipeline, Hot reloading. Both handle Audio system, Local deployment, Windows support, Macos support.