Software · head to head
Lumberyard vs Buildbox
Lumberyard
Software
Build AAA games with a free, cross-platform engine
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Lumberyard aws.amazon.com/lumberyard now redirects to the AWS homepage; Amazon Lumberyard is no longer offered as an AWS product; 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)
- They diverge on capability: Lumberyard covers CryEngine foundation, Buildbox covers Visual game builder.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Lumberyard and Buildbox actually diverge.
| Attribute | Lumberyard | Buildbox |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | free | freemium |
| Platforms | Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux | Ios, Android, Windows, Macos |
| Founded | 2006 | 2015 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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 Lumberyard
- CryEngine foundation
- Lua scripting
- Flowgraph editor
- Advanced graphics
- Physics simulation
- AWS GameLift integration
- Multiplayer support
- VR capabilities
Only in Buildbox
- Visual game builder
- Drag-and-drop interface
- Physics engine
- Animation system
- Monetization SDK
- Analytics integration
- Cloud compilation
- Template library
Both cover
- Windows support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Lumberyard
- Building 3D games with an AWS-integrated enginenot Buildbox
- Cloud-connected multiplayer game backendsnot Buildbox
- Twitch integration for streamed gameplay featuresnot Buildbox
Buildbox
- Mobile game creationnot Lumberyard
- Casual gamesnot Lumberyard
- Monetized gamesnot Lumberyard
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Lumberyard
- aws.amazon.com/lumberyard now redirects to the AWS homepage; Amazon Lumberyard is no longer offered as an AWS product
- The engine's successor is the Open 3D Engine, governed by the Open 3D Foundation rather than AWS, so migration means moving to a differently governed project
- No Lumberyard-branded documentation, download or support commitment remains at the original AWS product URL
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)
Pricing, plan by plan
Lumberyard
Free- FreeFree
- Full engine source
- AWS integration
- Lua scripting
Buildbox
Free- FreeFree
- Basic game creation
- Mobile export
- Community support
- Premium$19.99/month
- Advanced features
- Monetization tools
- Custom integrations
Which should you pick?
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.
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.
Questions people ask
- Is Lumberyard or Buildbox better?
- Neither clearly leads. Lumberyard starts at Free and Buildbox at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Lumberyard or Buildbox?
- Lumberyard starts at Free and Buildbox at Free.
- Does Lumberyard or Buildbox run on more platforms?
- Lumberyard runs on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux. Buildbox runs on Ios, Android, Windows, Macos.
- Can I use Lumberyard for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Lumberyard best used for?
- Lumberyard is most often used for building 3d games with an aws-integrated engine, cloud-connected multiplayer game backends, twitch integration for streamed gameplay features. Of those, building 3d games with an aws-integrated engine and cloud-connected multiplayer game backends are not what Buildbox is typically brought in for.
- What can Lumberyard do that Buildbox cannot?
- Lumberyard covers CryEngine foundation, Lua scripting, Flowgraph editor, Advanced graphics. Buildbox covers Visual game builder, Drag-and-drop interface, Physics engine, Animation system. Both handle Windows support.