Game Development · head to head
libGDX vs GDevelop
The short version
- Each has a real cost: libGDX libGDX is a Java framework built on OpenGL ES, so projects are tied to the JVM toolchain; GDevelop the free tier allows 3 cloud projects and one desktop or Android build per day
- They diverge on capability: libGDX covers Java language support, GDevelop covers Visual event editor.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which libGDX and GDevelop actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (free), free tier (Yes), platforms (Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Game Development), founded (2010).
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 libGDX
- Java language support
- Graphics rendering
- Audio engine
- Input handling
- Physics integration (Box2D)
- Animation system
- 2D and 3D rendering
- Java
Only in GDevelop
- Visual event editor
- Drag-and-drop interface
- Physics engine
- Sprite editor
- Sound editor
- Scene editor
- Extensions support
- GitHub
Both cover
- Particle effects
- Open-source
- Local deployment
- Mobile deployment
- Web deployment
- Windows support
- Macos support
- Linux support
- Ios support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
libGDX
- Writing 2D or 3D games in Java from a single codebasenot GDevelop
- Publishing a Java game to desktop, Android, iOS and HTML5not GDevelop
- Rapid prototyping where an opinionated engine workflow is unwantednot GDevelop
GDevelop
- Building 2D games with visual event logic rather than codenot libGDX
- Exporting one project to web, desktop, Android and iOSnot libGDX
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
libGDX
- libGDX is a Java framework built on OpenGL ES, so projects are tied to the JVM toolchain
- Publishing targets are limited to Windows, macOS, Linux including Raspberry Pi, Android, iOS and HTML5
- libGDX is a community-maintained Apache 2.0 project with no vendor and no paid support tier
- libGDX ships as a framework rather than an editor, so there is no visual scene editor included
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
libGDX
Free- FreeFree
- Full framework
- Java support
- Cross-platform
GDevelop
Free- FreeFree
- Full editor
- Cross-platform export
- Asset library
Which should you pick?
Choose libGDX if
- You need java language support.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
- You also want graphics rendering.
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 libGDX or GDevelop better?
- Neither clearly leads. libGDX 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, libGDX or GDevelop?
- libGDX starts at Free and GDevelop at Free.
- Does libGDX or GDevelop run on more platforms?
- Both run on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
- Can I use libGDX for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is libGDX best used for?
- libGDX is most often used for writing 2d or 3d games in java from a single codebase, publishing a java game to desktop, android, ios and html5, rapid prototyping where an opinionated engine workflow is unwanted. Of those, writing 2d or 3d games in java from a single codebase and publishing a java game to desktop, android, ios and html5 are not what GDevelop is typically brought in for.
- What can libGDX do that GDevelop cannot?
- libGDX covers Java language support, Graphics rendering, Audio engine, Input handling. GDevelop covers Visual event editor, Drag-and-drop interface, Physics engine, Sprite editor. Both handle Particle effects, Open-source, Local deployment, Mobile deployment.