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Game Development · head to head

LDtk vs Roku

LDtk logo

LDtk

Game Development

Modern 2D level editor from the creator of Dead Cells

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Roku logo

Roku

Entertainment

Streaming made simple

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; Roku roku takes a 20 percent cut of all revenue channel publishers receive through Roku Pay (purchases, subscriptions, ads), paying out the remaining 80 percent no later than 60 days after the end of the month the payment was received, with non-US partners restricted to PayPal or wire transfer (ACH/direct deposit is US-only) and bank fees applying to wire and ACH payouts (archived developer documentation, 2 May 2021)
  • They diverge on capability: LDtk covers Auto-layers, Roku covers Streaming aggregation.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which LDtk and Roku actually diverge.

Attributes where LDtk and Roku differ
AttributeLDtkRoku
Pricing modelopen-sourcefreemium
PlatformsWindows, macOS, LinuxRoku-devices, Smart-tv, Ios, Android
CategoryGame DevelopmentEntertainment
Founded20202002

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Roku

  • Streaming aggregation
  • Free content
  • Voice search
  • Private listening
  • All major streaming apps
  • Smart home
  • PIN protection
  • Parental controls

What people use each for

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

LDtk

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

Roku

  • TV streamingnot LDtk
  • Content discoverynot LDtk
  • Free entertainmentnot 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

Roku

  • Roku takes a 20 percent cut of all revenue channel publishers receive through Roku Pay (purchases, subscriptions, ads), paying out the remaining 80 percent no later than 60 days after the end of the month the payment was received, with non-US partners restricted to PayPal or wire transfer (ACH/direct deposit is US-only) and bank fees applying to wire and ACH payouts (archived developer documentation, 2 May 2021)

Pricing, plan by plan

LDtk

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the LDtk review.

Roku

Free
  • FreeFree
    • The Roku Channel
    • Free content
    • Ad-supported

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 Roku if

  • You need streaming aggregation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Roku-devices, Smart-tv, Ios, Android.
  • You also want free content.
Roku review

Questions people ask

Is LDtk or Roku better?
Neither clearly leads. LDtk starts at Free and Roku at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, LDtk or Roku?
LDtk starts at Free and Roku at Free.
Does LDtk or Roku run on more platforms?
LDtk runs on Windows, macOS, Linux. Roku runs on Roku-devices, Smart-tv, Ios, Android.
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 Roku is typically brought in for.
What can LDtk do that Roku cannot?
LDtk covers Auto-layers, IntGrid layers, Entity system, Enums. Roku covers Streaming aggregation, Free content, Voice search, Private listening.

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
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
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