Softwr

Game Development · head to head

Lumberyard vs MonoGame

Lumberyard logo

Lumberyard

Game Development

Build AAA games with a free, cross-platform engine

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
MonoGame logo

MonoGame

Game Development

Create games using C# and MonoGame

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Lumberyard aWS Lumberyard free tier has restricted access and is intended for getting started only; MonoGame console targets for PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch require platform authorisation rather than being openly available
  • They diverge on capability: Lumberyard covers CryEngine foundation, MonoGame covers C# language support.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Lumberyard and MonoGame actually diverge.

Attributes where Lumberyard and MonoGame differ
AttributeLumberyardMonoGame
PlatformsWindows, Playstation, Xbox, LinuxWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox
Founded20062009

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 Lumberyard

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

Only in MonoGame

  • C# language support
  • Graphics rendering
  • Audio engine
  • Physics integration
  • Content pipeline
  • Input handling
  • Sprite system
  • 2D and 3D support

Both cover

  • Visual Studio
  • Local deployment
  • Console deployment
  • 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 MonoGame
  • Cloud-connected multiplayer game backendsnot MonoGame
  • Twitch integration for streamed gameplay featuresnot MonoGame

MonoGame

  • Cross-platform game development in C# and .NETnot Lumberyard
  • Shipping to Windows, macOS and Linux from one codebasenot Lumberyard
  • Mobile releases on Android, iOS and iPadOSnot Lumberyard
  • Commercial indie titles with no royalty or runtime feenot Lumberyard

Where each one falls short

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

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

MonoGame

  • Console targets for PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch require platform authorisation rather than being openly available
  • A code-first framework in C# with no bundled editor or visual scene tooling

Pricing, plan by plan

Lumberyard

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

MonoGame

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full framework
    • C# support
    • Cross-platform

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.
Lumberyard review

Choose MonoGame if

  • You need c# language support.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox.
  • You also want graphics rendering.
MonoGame review

Questions people ask

Is Lumberyard or MonoGame better?
Neither clearly leads. Lumberyard starts at Free and MonoGame at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Lumberyard or MonoGame?
Lumberyard starts at Free and MonoGame at Free.
Does Lumberyard or MonoGame run on more platforms?
Lumberyard runs on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux. MonoGame runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox.
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 MonoGame is typically brought in for.
What can Lumberyard do that MonoGame cannot?
Lumberyard covers CryEngine foundation, Lua scripting, Flowgraph editor, Advanced graphics. MonoGame covers C# language support, Graphics rendering, Audio engine, Physics integration. Both handle Visual Studio, Local deployment, Console deployment, 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
MonoGame: How much does MonoGame cost?

MonoGame is completely free with no subscription model, royalty payments, licensing costs, or runtime fees.

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
MonoGame: What funding model does MonoGame use?

MonoGame Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization supported by voluntary community donations rather than user fees.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on Lumberyard

More on MonoGame

Keep looking

Other head to heads