Software · head to head
Phaser vs Cocos2d-x
Phaser
Software
Fast, free, and fun open source framework for Canvas and WebGL
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Phaser the Phaser framework is open source but Phaser Editor is a commercial product at $12 per month; Cocos2d-x cocos2d-x is MIT licensed with no commercial tier, and the vendor's own site directs users toward its newer engine, Cocos Creator, as the actively developed product, leaving Cocos2d-x without a first-party paid support or upgrade path.
- They diverge on capability: Phaser covers Canvas and WebGL rendering, Cocos2d-x covers 2D rendering.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Phaser and Cocos2d-x actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (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 Phaser
- Canvas and WebGL rendering
- Physics engine (Arcade)
- Input handling
- Audio support
- Tilemaps
- Event system
- JavaScript frameworks
- npm
Only in Cocos2d-x
- 2D rendering
- Physics engine (Chipmunk)
- Audio engine
- Touch input handling
- Tilemap support
- Sprite batching
- Visual Studio
- Xcode
Both cover
- Animation system
- Particle effects
- Mobile deployment
- Ios support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Phaser
- Building 2D HTML5 games that run in the browsernot Cocos2d-x
- Rapid browser game prototyping with a code editor, tilemap and atlas toolsnot Cocos2d-x
- Publishing web games with one click hostingnot Cocos2d-x
Cocos2d-x
- Mobile game developmentnot Phaser
- 2D gamesnot Phaser
- Lightweight gamesnot Phaser
- Cross-platform gamesnot Phaser
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Phaser
- The Phaser framework is open source but Phaser Editor is a commercial product at $12 per month
- Phaser Editor stops working when the licence expires
- No free trial of Phaser Editor is offered
- AI tools in the free Phaser suite require purchasing credits
- SSO through Google Workspace, private support and Editor source code availability are Enterprise only, which is custom priced and requires contacting sales
- No educational discounts are offered
- Subscription cancellations are not refunded pro rata
Cocos2d-x
- Cocos2d-x is MIT licensed with no commercial tier, and the vendor's own site directs users toward its newer engine, Cocos Creator, as the actively developed product, leaving Cocos2d-x without a first-party paid support or upgrade path.
Pricing, plan by plan
Phaser
Free- FreeFree
- Full source code
- Community support
- Game examples
Cocos2d-x
Free- FreeFree
- Full engine source
- MIT License
- Community support
Which should you pick?
Choose Phaser if
- You need canvas and webgl rendering.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android.
- You also want physics engine (arcade).
Choose Cocos2d-x if
- You need 2d rendering.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android.
- You also want physics engine (chipmunk).
Questions people ask
- Is Phaser or Cocos2d-x better?
- Neither clearly leads. Phaser starts at Free and Cocos2d-x at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Phaser or Cocos2d-x?
- Phaser starts at Free and Cocos2d-x at Free.
- Does Phaser or Cocos2d-x run on more platforms?
- Phaser runs on Web, Ios, Android. Cocos2d-x runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android.
- Can I use Phaser for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Phaser best used for?
- Phaser is most often used for building 2d html5 games that run in the browser, rapid browser game prototyping with a code editor, tilemap and atlas tools, publishing web games with one click hosting. Of those, building 2d html5 games that run in the browser and rapid browser game prototyping with a code editor, tilemap and atlas tools are not what Cocos2d-x is typically brought in for.
- What can Phaser do that Cocos2d-x cannot?
- Phaser covers Canvas and WebGL rendering, Physics engine (Arcade), Input handling, Audio support. Cocos2d-x covers 2D rendering, Physics engine (Chipmunk), Audio engine, Touch input handling. Both handle Animation system, Particle effects, Mobile deployment, Ios support.
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