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Game Development · head to head

Phaser vs Three.js

Phaser logo

Phaser

Game Development

Fast, free, and fun open source framework for Canvas and WebGL

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Three.js logo

Three.js

AR VR

JavaScript 3D library for WebGL and WebXR

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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; Three.js forward rendering pipeline only, no deferred rendering support
  • They diverge on capability: Phaser covers Canvas and WebGL rendering, Three.js covers WebGL rendering.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Phaser and Three.js actually diverge.

Attributes where Phaser and Three.js differ
AttributePhaserThree.js
Pricing modelfreemiumfree
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
CategoryGame DevelopmentAR VR
Founded20132010

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

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
  • Particle effects
  • Tilemaps
  • Event system
  • JavaScript frameworks

Only in Three.js

  • WebGL rendering
  • Scene graph
  • Materials system
  • WebXR
  • Post-processing
  • Physics
  • Loaders
  • Webgl support

Both cover

  • Animation system
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Phaser

  • Game development with JavaScriptnot Three.js
  • Interactive creative tools for developersnot Three.js
  • Professional game engine for studiosnot Three.js

Three.js

  • VR Gamingnot Phaser
  • AR Marketingnot Phaser
  • Virtual Trainingnot Phaser
  • 3D Visualizationnot Phaser
  • Immersive Experiencesnot 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

Three.js

  • Forward rendering pipeline only, no deferred rendering support
  • No built-in collision detection or spatial indexing, requiring external physics libraries
  • WebGL dependency means no support for non-WebGL environments

Pricing, plan by plan

Phaser

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 25+ creative & coding tools
    • AI tools require credit purchases
  • Phaser Editor$12/month
    • professional development tools
    • requires active subscription

Three.js

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full library
    • WebXR module
    • Examples

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).
Phaser review

Choose Three.js if

  • You need webgl rendering.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android.
  • You also want scene graph.
Three.js review

Questions people ask

Is Phaser or Three.js better?
Neither clearly leads. Phaser starts at Free and Three.js at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Phaser or Three.js?
Phaser starts at Free and Three.js at Free.
Does Phaser or Three.js run on more platforms?
Phaser runs on Web, Ios, Android. Three.js runs on Web, macOS, Windows, 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 game development with javascript, interactive creative tools for developers, professional game engine for studios. Of those, game development with javascript and interactive creative tools for developers are not what Three.js is typically brought in for.
What can Phaser do that Three.js cannot?
Phaser covers Canvas and WebGL rendering, Physics engine (Arcade), Input handling, Audio support. Three.js covers WebGL rendering, Scene graph, Materials system, WebXR. Both handle Animation system, Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Phaser: How much does Phaser Editor cost?

$12 per month. Users must have an active subscription to use the editor.

Source
Three.js: Is Three.js free to use?

Yes. Three.js is released under the MIT license, an open-source license that permits unlimited commercial and personal use with no licensing fees.

Source
Phaser: Is there a free trial for Phaser Editor?

No, Phaser does not provide a free trial. Access begins immediately upon subscription.

Source
Three.js: Does Three.js include physics simulation?

No. Three.js is a rendering library only. Physics, collision detection, and spatial indexing must be implemented with external libraries like Rapier, Ammo, or JoltPhysics.

Source
Phaser: Can I cancel my subscription and get a refund?

Subscriptions can be cancelled anytime. Access continues until the end of the billing period, but no pro-rata refunds are issued.

Source
Three.js: Can I use Three.js for offline development?

Yes. Local development requires a local web server for CORS compliance. You can use npm with a build tool like Vite, or run a local Python server for development.

Source
Phaser: Can I transfer my Phaser license to someone else?

Yes, users can transfer an active license or subscription to another registered Phaser user completely free.

Source
Three.js: Does Three.js support WebXR for VR/AR?

Yes. Three.js documentation includes WebXR APIs for building VR and AR experiences in web browsers.

Source
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