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Game Development · head to head

LÖVE vs Raylib

LÖVE logo

LÖVE

Game Development

Framework for making 2D games in Lua

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: LÖVE lOVE is a 2D-only framework, with no 3D pipeline; Raylib raylib is entirely free and open source with no commercial support offered. Donations are encouraged but completely optional.
  • They diverge on capability: LÖVE covers Lua scripting, Raylib covers Audio system.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which LÖVE and Raylib actually diverge.

Attributes where LÖVE and Raylib differ
AttributeLÖVERaylib
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, WebWindows, Macos, Linux, Android, Web
Founded20082013

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 LÖVE

  • Lua scripting
  • Physics engine (Box2D)
  • Audio support
  • File I/O
  • Vector math
  • Animation support
  • Lua
  • Git

Only in Raylib

  • Audio system
  • Shapes drawing
  • Sprite management
  • Collision detection
  • Font rendering
  • Text input
  • C/C++
  • Python bindings

Both cover

  • Graphics rendering
  • Input handling
  • Open-source
  • Local deployment
  • Web 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.

LÖVE

  • Making 2D games in Luanot Raylib
  • Rapid prototyping of 2D gameplaynot Raylib
  • Shipping small 2D games to desktop and mobile from one Lua codebasenot Raylib

Raylib

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

Where each one falls short

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

LÖVE

  • LOVE is a 2D-only framework, with no 3D pipeline
  • Games must be written in Lua, with no other supported scripting language
  • Supported platforms are limited to Windows Vista and later, macOS 10.11 and later, Linux, Android and iOS
  • The iOS build is distributed as source and libraries rather than a ready installer
  • There is no commercial support offering; help is through community forums, Discord and a subreddit

Raylib

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

Pricing, plan by plan

LÖVE

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full framework
    • Lua scripting
    • Cross-platform support

Raylib

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

Which should you pick?

Choose LÖVE if

  • You need lua scripting.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want physics engine (box2d).
LÖVE review

Choose Raylib if

  • You need audio system.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Android, Web.
  • You also want shapes drawing.
Raylib review

Questions people ask

Is LÖVE or Raylib better?
Neither clearly leads. LÖVE 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, LÖVE or Raylib?
LÖVE starts at Free and Raylib at Free.
Does LÖVE or Raylib run on more platforms?
LÖVE runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web. Raylib runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Android, Web.
Can I use LÖVE for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is LÖVE best used for?
LÖVE is most often used for making 2d games in lua, rapid prototyping of 2d gameplay, shipping small 2d games to desktop and mobile from one lua codebase. Of those, making 2d games in lua and rapid prototyping of 2d gameplay are not what Raylib is typically brought in for.
What can LÖVE do that Raylib cannot?
LÖVE covers Lua scripting, Physics engine (Box2D), Audio support, File I/O. Raylib covers Audio system, Shapes drawing, Sprite management, Collision detection. Both handle Graphics rendering, Input handling, Open-source, Local deployment.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
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
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