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Game Development · head to head

Buildbox vs Lumberyard

Buildbox logo

Buildbox

Game Development

Game creation platform for everyone

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Lumberyard logo

Lumberyard

Game Development

Build AAA games with a free, cross-platform engine

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Buildbox buildbox splits its editor into two separate paid product lines, Buildbox Classic and Buildbox 3, priced and sold as different products rather than tiers of one app (archived pricing page, 8 March 2026); Lumberyard aWS Lumberyard free tier has restricted access and is intended for getting started only
  • They diverge on capability: Buildbox covers Visual game builder, Lumberyard covers CryEngine foundation.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Buildbox and Lumberyard actually diverge.

Attributes where Buildbox and Lumberyard differ
AttributeBuildboxLumberyard
Pricing modelfreemiumfree
PlatformsIos, Android, Windows, MacosWindows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux
Founded20152006

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 Buildbox

  • Visual game builder
  • Drag-and-drop interface
  • Physics engine
  • Animation system
  • Monetization SDK
  • Analytics integration
  • Cloud compilation
  • Template library

Only in Lumberyard

  • CryEngine foundation
  • Lua scripting
  • Flowgraph editor
  • Advanced graphics
  • Physics simulation
  • AWS GameLift integration
  • Multiplayer support
  • VR capabilities

Both cover

  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

Buildbox

  • Mobile game creationnot Lumberyard
  • Casual gamesnot Lumberyard
  • Monetized gamesnot Lumberyard

Lumberyard

  • Building 3D games with an AWS-integrated enginenot Buildbox
  • Cloud-connected multiplayer game backendsnot Buildbox
  • Twitch integration for streamed gameplay featuresnot Buildbox

Where each one falls short

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

Buildbox

  • Buildbox splits its editor into two separate paid product lines, Buildbox Classic and Buildbox 3, priced and sold as different products rather than tiers of one app (archived pricing page, 8 March 2026)
  • Buildbox Classic Plus is $57.99 USD per year and Buildbox Classic Pro is $137.99 USD per year; Buildbox 3 Plus is $97.99 USD per year and Buildbox 3 Pro is $297.99 USD per year, with a companion audio tool Soundbox sold separately at $49.99 USD per year (archived pricing page, 8 March 2026)
  • The only bundle combining Buildbox 3 Pro, Buildbox Classic Pro, and Soundbox is a separate $447.99 USD per year Ultimate Bundle rather than a natural upgrade path (archived pricing page, 8 March 2026)

Lumberyard

  • AWS Lumberyard free tier has restricted access and is intended for getting started only
  • Production use requires pay-as-you-go costs that scale with usage
  • Exact pricing depends on specific AWS services consumed and usage levels

Pricing, plan by plan

Buildbox

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Basic game creation
    • Mobile export
    • Community support
  • Premium$19.99/month
    • Advanced features
    • Monetization tools
    • Custom integrations

Lumberyard

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full engine source
    • AWS integration
    • Lua scripting

Which should you pick?

Choose Buildbox if

  • You need visual game builder.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Ios, Android, Windows, Macos.
  • You also want drag-and-drop interface.
Buildbox review

Choose Lumberyard if

  • You need cryengine foundation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux.
  • You also want lua scripting.
Lumberyard review

Questions people ask

Is Buildbox or Lumberyard better?
Neither clearly leads. Buildbox starts at Free and Lumberyard at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Buildbox or Lumberyard?
Buildbox starts at Free and Lumberyard at Free.
Does Buildbox or Lumberyard run on more platforms?
Buildbox runs on Ios, Android, Windows, Macos. Lumberyard runs on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux.
Can I use Buildbox for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Buildbox best used for?
Buildbox is most often used for mobile game creation, casual games, monetized games. Of those, mobile game creation and casual games are not what Lumberyard is typically brought in for.
What can Buildbox do that Lumberyard cannot?
Buildbox covers Visual game builder, Drag-and-drop interface, Physics engine, Animation system. Lumberyard covers CryEngine foundation, Lua scripting, Flowgraph editor, Advanced graphics. Both handle Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Lumberyard: Does AWS Lumberyard cost money?

AWS Lumberyard is not free for production use. The service offers a free tier for getting started, hands-on experience, and development. Production deployments use AWS's pay-as-you-go pricing model where costs scale with your usage.

Source
Lumberyard: How is AWS Lumberyard priced?

Lumberyard uses AWS's flexible consumption-based pricing. Customers can use the free tier to explore services, then pay for what they use in production. AWS also offers Savings Plans for lower prices on committed usage.

Source
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