Game Development · head to head
jMonkeyEngine vs GDevelop
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; GDevelop the free tier allows 3 cloud projects and one desktop or Android build per day
- They diverge on capability: jMonkeyEngine covers 3D graphics rendering, GDevelop covers Visual event editor.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which jMonkeyEngine and GDevelop actually diverge.
| Attribute | jMonkeyEngine | GDevelop |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows, Macos, Linux, Android | Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web |
| Founded | 2003 | 2010 |
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 jMonkeyEngine
- 3D graphics rendering
- Physics engine (Bullet)
- Audio system
- Material system
- Lighting and shadows
- Skeletal animation
- Java
- Bullet Physics
Only in GDevelop
- Visual event editor
- Drag-and-drop interface
- Physics engine
- Sprite editor
- Sound editor
- Extensions support
- GitHub
- Firebase
Both cover
- Scene editor
- Particle effects
- 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.
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
GDevelop
- Building 2D games with visual event logic rather than codenot jMonkeyEngine
- Exporting one project to web, desktop, Android and iOSnot 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
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
Pricing, plan by plan
jMonkeyEngine
Free- FreeFree
- Full engine
- Java support
- 3D graphics
GDevelop
Free- FreeFree
- Full editor
- Cross-platform export
- Asset library
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 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.
Questions people ask
- Is jMonkeyEngine or GDevelop better?
- Neither clearly leads. jMonkeyEngine starts at Free and GDevelop at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, jMonkeyEngine or GDevelop?
- jMonkeyEngine starts at Free and GDevelop at Free.
- Does jMonkeyEngine or GDevelop run on more platforms?
- jMonkeyEngine runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Android. GDevelop runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
- 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 GDevelop is typically brought in for.
- What can jMonkeyEngine do that GDevelop cannot?
- jMonkeyEngine covers 3D graphics rendering, Physics engine (Bullet), Audio system, Material system. GDevelop covers Visual event editor, Drag-and-drop interface, Physics engine, Sprite editor. Both handle Scene editor, Particle effects, Open-source, Local deployment.