Software · head to head
MonoGame vs Substance 3D Painter
The short version
- Only MonoGame has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: MonoGame console targets for PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch require platform authorisation rather than being openly available; Substance 3D Painter the Internet Archive's capture of Adobe's Substance 3D Painter page on 23 June 2021 priced the Substance 3D Collection plan (which bundles Painter, Stager, Sampler, Designer and Modeler) at US$39.99/month for the first year.
- They diverge on capability: MonoGame covers C# language support, Substance 3D Painter covers 3D painting.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which MonoGame and Substance 3D Painter actually diverge.
| Attribute | MonoGame | Substance 3D Painter |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $29/month |
| Pricing model | free | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox | Windows, MacOS, Linux |
| Founded | 2009 | 1982 |
Identical on both: 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 MonoGame
- C# language support
- Graphics rendering
- Audio engine
- Physics integration
- Content pipeline
- Input handling
- Sprite system
- 2D and 3D support
Only in Substance 3D Painter
- 3D painting
- Smart materials
- Generators
- PBR workflow
- Baking
- Export presets
- Scripting
- Maya
Both cover
- Windows support
- Linux support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
MonoGame
- Cross-platform game development in C# and .NETnot Substance 3D Painter
- Shipping to Windows, macOS and Linux from one codebasenot Substance 3D Painter
- Mobile releases on Android, iOS and iPadOSnot Substance 3D Painter
- Commercial indie titles with no royalty or runtime feenot Substance 3D Painter
Substance 3D Painter
- Game texturingnot MonoGame
- Film assetsnot MonoGame
- Product visualizationnot MonoGame
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
Substance 3D Painter
- The Internet Archive's capture of Adobe's Substance 3D Painter page on 23 June 2021 priced the Substance 3D Collection plan (which bundles Painter, Stager, Sampler, Designer and Modeler) at US$39.99/month for the first year.
Pricing, plan by plan
MonoGame
Free- FreeFree
- Full framework
- C# support
- Cross-platform
Substance 3D Painter
$29/month- Substance 3D Texturing$19.99/month
- Painter + Sampler
- Substance 3D Collection$49.99/month
- All Substance apps
Which should you pick?
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.
Choose Substance 3D Painter if
- You need 3d painting.
- You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
- You also want smart materials.
Questions people ask
- Is MonoGame or Substance 3D Painter better?
- Neither clearly leads. MonoGame starts at Free and Substance 3D Painter at $29/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, MonoGame or Substance 3D Painter?
- MonoGame has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for MonoGame and $29/month for Substance 3D Painter.
- Does MonoGame or Substance 3D Painter run on more platforms?
- MonoGame runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox. Substance 3D Painter runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
- Can I use MonoGame for free?
- Yes. MonoGame has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Substance 3D Painter starts at $29/month.
- What is MonoGame best used for?
- MonoGame is most often used for cross-platform game development in c# and .net, shipping to windows, macos and linux from one codebase, mobile releases on android, ios and ipados, commercial indie titles with no royalty or runtime fee. Of those, cross-platform game development in c# and .net and shipping to windows, macos and linux from one codebase are not what Substance 3D Painter is typically brought in for.
- What can MonoGame do that Substance 3D Painter cannot?
- MonoGame covers C# language support, Graphics rendering, Audio engine, Physics integration. Substance 3D Painter covers 3D painting, Smart materials, Generators, PBR workflow. Both handle Windows support, Linux support.
Related pages
More on Substance 3D Painter
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