Softwr

Game Development · head to head

CryEngine vs Panda3D

CryEngine logo

CryEngine

Game Development

Build worlds, break limits. Professional game development engine.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Panda3D logo

Panda3D

Game Development

Free, open-source 3D engine for game development

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: CryEngine a royalty of 5% of Gross Receipts is payable to Crytek on every game built with CRYENGINE; Panda3D completely free to use including for commercial projects, with source code available under the permissive BSD license, no paid tier
  • They diverge on capability: CryEngine covers Advanced graphics, Panda3D covers 3D graphics rendering.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which CryEngine and Panda3D actually diverge.

Attributes where CryEngine and Panda3D differ
AttributeCryEnginePanda3D
PlatformsWindows, Playstation, Xbox, LinuxWindows, Macos, Linux

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Game Development), founded (1999).

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 CryEngine

  • Advanced graphics
  • Physics engine
  • AI system
  • Animation tools
  • Flow Graph visual scripting
  • C++ and Lua support
  • Entity component system
  • Sandbox editor

Only in Panda3D

  • 3D graphics rendering
  • Physics engine (Bullet)
  • Audio system
  • Input handling
  • Skeletal animation
  • Particle effects
  • Shading
  • Scene management

Both cover

  • Local deployment
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

CryEngine

  • Game engine for indie and professional game developmentnot Panda3D
  • Real-time 3D rendering and visualizationnot Panda3D
  • VR and immersive experience creationnot Panda3D
  • Environmental and industrial simulationnot Panda3D

Panda3D

  • 3D game developmentnot CryEngine
  • 3D applicationsnot CryEngine
  • Game prototypingnot CryEngine
  • Visualizationnot CryEngine

Where each one falls short

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

CryEngine

  • A royalty of 5% of Gross Receipts is payable to Crytek on every game built with CRYENGINE
  • Royalties are waived only on the first USD 5,000.00 of Gross Receipts per year per game
  • Royalties are calculated at source on gross receipts before any publisher or platform deductions, so a developer receiving 70% of USD 100,000 still owes USD 4,750
  • Military projects, gambling, simulation, science, architecture and serious games are excluded from the standard licence and are not covered as Games
  • The licence forbids combining CRYENGINE with code from other game engine providers
  • Supported platforms are limited to those Crytek announces at its sole discretion, listed in the agreement as Windows, Linux, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One
  • Support is only provided against payment of a separate Support Fee that Crytek may change at its sole discretion
  • Crytek may modify the licence agreement at any time, with the only remedy for disagreement being to stop using CRYENGINE

Panda3D

  • Completely free to use including for commercial projects, with source code available under the permissive BSD license, no paid tier

Pricing, plan by plan

CryEngine

Free
  • Free CRYENGINEFree
    • Free download and use in development
    • 5% royalty on revenue after shipping
    • First $5,000 annual revenue per project royalty-free

Panda3D

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full engine
    • Python and C++
    • 3D graphics

Which should you pick?

Choose CryEngine if

  • You need advanced graphics.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux.
  • You also want physics engine.
CryEngine review

Choose Panda3D if

  • You need 3d graphics rendering.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux.
  • You also want physics engine (bullet).
Panda3D review

Questions people ask

Is CryEngine or Panda3D better?
Neither clearly leads. CryEngine starts at Free and Panda3D at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, CryEngine or Panda3D?
CryEngine starts at Free and Panda3D at Free.
Does CryEngine or Panda3D run on more platforms?
CryEngine runs on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux. Panda3D runs on Windows, Macos, Linux.
Can I use CryEngine for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is CryEngine best used for?
CryEngine is most often used for game engine for indie and professional game development, real-time 3d rendering and visualization, vr and immersive experience creation, environmental and industrial simulation. Of those, game engine for indie and professional game development and real-time 3d rendering and visualization are not what Panda3D is typically brought in for.
What can CryEngine do that Panda3D cannot?
CryEngine covers Advanced graphics, Physics engine, AI system, Animation tools. Panda3D covers 3D graphics rendering, Physics engine (Bullet), Audio system, Input handling. Both handle Local deployment, Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

CryEngine: Does CRYENGINE have a free version?

Yes, CRYENGINE is free to download and use for development. When you ship a project, a 5% royalty applies to revenue, but the first $5,000 annual revenue per project is royalty-free.

Source
Panda3D: Is Panda3D free to use?

Yes, Panda3D is completely free to use with no royalties, license payments, registration, or costs of any kind, even for commercial use.

Source
CryEngine: How much does CRYENGINE cost after launch?

CRYENGINE charges 5% royalty on revenue after your project ships. The first $5,000 in annual revenue per project is royalty-free; royalties apply only to revenue above that threshold.

Source
Panda3D: What license does Panda3D use?

Panda3D is distributed under a permissive BSD license, allowing users to study and modify the source code.

Source
CryEngine: What does CRYENGINE free tier include?

Free CRYENGINE access includes full source code, all engine features, and access to all supported platforms. No payment required for development; only per-revenue royalties apply after shipping.

Source
Panda3D: Are there any costs for deploying Panda3D applications?

No, the SDK includes deployment tools at no additional charge and has no external paid dependencies required for deployment.

Source
CryEngine: Does CRYENGINE offer custom enterprise licensing?

Yes, CRYENGINE offers custom-tailored enterprise licensing built around individual needs. Specific pricing is not disclosed and requires contacting the vendor.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on CryEngine

More on Panda3D

Keep looking

Other head to heads