Software · head to head
jMonkeyEngine vs Flax Engine
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; Flax Engine flax charges a 4% royalty on game earnings above $250,000, assessed per calendar quarter
- They diverge on capability: jMonkeyEngine covers Physics engine (Bullet), Flax Engine covers Visual editor.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which jMonkeyEngine and Flax Engine actually diverge.
| Attribute | jMonkeyEngine | Flax Engine |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows, Macos, Linux, Android | Windows, Linux, Playstation, Xbox |
| Founded | 2003 | 2017 |
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
- Physics engine (Bullet)
- Scene editor
- Lighting and shadows
- Java
- Bullet Physics
- Maven
- Mobile deployment
- Macos support
Only in Flax Engine
- Visual editor
- C# scripting
- Physics engine
- Lighting system
- C#
- .NET
- Visual Studio
- Console deployment
Both cover
- 3D graphics rendering
- Audio system
- Material system
- Skeletal animation
- 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.
jMonkeyEngine
- Writing 3D games in Java against a BSD-licensed open source enginenot Flax Engine
- Using the engine as a plain Java library inside an existing Gradle or Maven buildnot Flax Engine
- Building desktop 3D applications with LWJGL renderingnot Flax Engine
Flax Engine
- Building 3D games in C# and C++ with full engine source accessnot jMonkeyEngine
- Multi-platform deployment from one editornot jMonkeyEngine
- Prototyping with the bundled Flax Samples projectsnot 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
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
Pricing, plan by plan
jMonkeyEngine
Free- FreeFree
- Full engine
- Java support
- 3D graphics
Flax Engine
Free- FreeFree
- Full engine
- Visual editor
- C# scripting
Which should you pick?
Choose jMonkeyEngine if
- You need physics engine (bullet).
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Android.
- You also want scene editor.
Choose Flax Engine if
- You need visual editor.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Linux, Playstation, Xbox.
- You also want c# scripting.
Questions people ask
- Is jMonkeyEngine or Flax Engine better?
- Neither clearly leads. jMonkeyEngine starts at Free and Flax Engine at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, jMonkeyEngine or Flax Engine?
- jMonkeyEngine starts at Free and Flax Engine at Free.
- Does jMonkeyEngine or Flax Engine run on more platforms?
- jMonkeyEngine runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Android. Flax Engine runs on Windows, Linux, Playstation, Xbox.
- 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 Flax Engine is typically brought in for.
- What can jMonkeyEngine do that Flax Engine cannot?
- jMonkeyEngine covers Physics engine (Bullet), Scene editor, Lighting and shadows, Java. Flax Engine covers Visual editor, C# scripting, Physics engine, Lighting system. Both handle 3D graphics rendering, Audio system, Material system, Skeletal animation.