Softwr

Game Development · head to head

LDtk vs Raylib

LDtk logo

LDtk

Game Development

Modern 2D level editor from the creator of Dead Cells

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Raylib logo

Raylib

Game Development

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: LDtk no web, iOS, or Android build; it is an Electron desktop app for Windows/macOS/Linux only; Raylib raylib is entirely free and open source with no commercial support offered. Donations are encouraged but completely optional.
  • They diverge on capability: LDtk covers Auto-layers, Raylib covers Graphics rendering.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which LDtk and Raylib actually diverge.

Attributes where LDtk and Raylib differ
AttributeLDtkRaylib
Pricing modelopen-sourcefree
PlatformsWindows, macOS, LinuxWindows, Macos, Linux, Android, Web
Founded20202013

Identical on both: starting price (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 LDtk

  • Auto-layers
  • IntGrid layers
  • Entity system
  • Enums
  • World map
  • Rule-based tiling
  • JSON export
  • Hot reloading

Only in Raylib

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

Both cover

  • Local deployment
  • Windows support
  • Macos support
  • Linux support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

LDtk

  • 2D platformer and top-down level buildingnot Raylib
  • Placing customizable entities such as spawns, enemies, items, and triggersnot Raylib
  • Auto-tiling and auto-rendering via a visual rule systemnot Raylib
  • Multi-level 'worlds' with seamless level transitionsnot Raylib
  • Native Aseprite (.aseprite) import with live reloadingnot Raylib

Raylib

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

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

LDtk

  • No web, iOS, or Android build; it is an Electron desktop app for Windows/macOS/Linux only
  • Native format is JSON; use with other formats such as Tiled TMX requires a separate importer or custom parsing
  • Engine integration depends on separate official importers/libraries per engine (Unity, Godot, MonoGame, Bevy, GameMaker, Haxe, Playdate)
  • dev-x.y.z branches on GitHub are explicitly flagged as potentially unstable and not for production

Raylib

  • Raylib is entirely free and open source with no commercial support offered. Donations are encouraged but completely optional.

Pricing, plan by plan

LDtk

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the LDtk review.

Raylib

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

Which should you pick?

Choose LDtk if

  • You need auto-layers.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want intgrid layers.
LDtk review

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.
Raylib review

Questions people ask

Is LDtk or Raylib better?
Neither clearly leads. LDtk 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, LDtk or Raylib?
LDtk starts at Free and Raylib at Free.
Does LDtk or Raylib run on more platforms?
LDtk runs on Windows, macOS, Linux. Raylib runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Android, Web.
Can I use LDtk for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is LDtk best used for?
LDtk is most often used for 2d platformer and top-down level building, placing customizable entities such as spawns, enemies, items, and triggers, auto-tiling and auto-rendering via a visual rule system, multi-level 'worlds' with seamless level transitions. Of those, 2d platformer and top-down level building and placing customizable entities such as spawns, enemies, items, and triggers are not what Raylib is typically brought in for.
What can LDtk do that Raylib cannot?
LDtk covers Auto-layers, IntGrid layers, Entity system, Enums. Raylib covers Graphics rendering, Audio system, Input handling, Shapes drawing. Both handle Local deployment, Windows support, Macos support, Linux support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

LDtk: Does LDtk cost anything to use?

LDtk is completely free to use without any limitations. The license is Apache 2.0 open source.

Source
Raylib: Is Raylib free?

Yes. Raylib is completely free and open source. The project is licensed under a permissive license with no fees or costs to download, use, or modify.

Source
LDtk: Can I support LDtk development?

LDtk operates on a pay-what-you-want basis. Users can optionally purchase or become a direct sponsor to support the developer's work, but payment is not required.

Source
Raylib: Does Raylib require a paid license?

No. Raylib requires no paid license. Users can freely use it for personal, educational, and commercial projects without any licensing fees.

Source
Raylib: Does Raylib accept donations?

Yes. Raylib accepts voluntary donations through GitHub Sponsors, Patreon, Ko-fi, PayPal, and other platforms to support ongoing development. Donations are entirely optional.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on LDtk

More on Raylib

Keep looking

Other head to heads