Softwr

Game Development · head to head

PlayCanvas vs Armory3D

PlayCanvas logo

PlayCanvas

Game Development

Cloud-based WebGL game development platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Armory3D logo

Armory3D

Game Development

Open-source 3D game engine integrated with Blender

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: PlayCanvas private projects require a paid plan; the Free plan only allows public projects; Armory3D compiled binaries are sold to fund the project while the source code itself is free to build from scratch
  • They diverge on capability: PlayCanvas covers Cloud-based editor, Armory3D covers Blender integration.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which PlayCanvas and Armory3D actually diverge.

Attributes where PlayCanvas and Armory3D differ
AttributePlayCanvasArmory3D
Pricing modelfreemiumfree
PlatformsWeb, MobileWindows, Macos, Linux, Html5, Android
Founded20132016

Identical on both: starting price (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 PlayCanvas

  • Cloud-based editor
  • Real-time collaboration
  • WebGL rendering
  • Physics engine
  • Visual scripting
  • Asset library
  • Version control
  • Instant deployment

Only in Armory3D

  • Blender integration
  • 3D graphics rendering
  • Physics engine (Bullet)
  • Audio system
  • Haxe scripting
  • Particle effects
  • Skeletal animation
  • Material system

Both cover

  • Web deployment

What people use each for

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

PlayCanvas

  • Building WebGL games and interactive 3D that run in a browsernot Armory3D
  • Browser based collaborative 3D editing across a teamnot Armory3D
  • Web AR and VR experiences, product configurators and playable adsnot Armory3D

Armory3D

  • 3D game developmentnot PlayCanvas
  • Blender-based gamesnot PlayCanvas
  • Web gamesnot PlayCanvas

Where each one falls short

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

PlayCanvas

  • Private projects require a paid plan; the Free plan only allows public projects
  • The Free plan is capped at 1GB of storage, Personal at 10GB and Organization at 50GB
  • Personal costs $15 per month and Organization costs $50 per seat per month
  • Team management is only available on the Organization plan
  • Private projects become locked and inaccessible if the subscription is cancelled, unless they are made public
  • There is no formal educational discount
  • There is no self serve trial of the Personal or Organization plan; an upgrade code must be requested from sales

Armory3D

  • Compiled binaries are sold to fund the project while the source code itself is free to build from scratch

Pricing, plan by plan

PlayCanvas

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Cloud editor
    • WebGL export
    • Community projects
  • Pro$19/month
    • Private projects
    • Advanced features
    • Priority support

Armory3D

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full engine
    • Blender integration
    • 3D graphics

Which should you pick?

Choose PlayCanvas if

  • You need cloud-based editor.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile.
  • You also want real-time collaboration.
PlayCanvas review

Choose Armory3D if

  • You need blender integration.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Html5, Android.
  • You also want 3d graphics rendering.
Armory3D review

Questions people ask

Is PlayCanvas or Armory3D better?
Neither clearly leads. PlayCanvas starts at Free and Armory3D at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, PlayCanvas or Armory3D?
PlayCanvas starts at Free and Armory3D at Free.
Does PlayCanvas or Armory3D run on more platforms?
PlayCanvas runs on Web, Mobile. Armory3D runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Html5, Android.
Can I use PlayCanvas for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is PlayCanvas best used for?
PlayCanvas is most often used for building webgl games and interactive 3d that run in a browser, browser based collaborative 3d editing across a team, web ar and vr experiences, product configurators and playable ads. Of those, building webgl games and interactive 3d that run in a browser and browser based collaborative 3d editing across a team are not what Armory3D is typically brought in for.
What can PlayCanvas do that Armory3D cannot?
PlayCanvas covers Cloud-based editor, Real-time collaboration, WebGL rendering, Physics engine. Armory3D covers Blender integration, 3D graphics rendering, Physics engine (Bullet), Audio system. Both handle Web deployment.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on PlayCanvas

More on Armory3D

Keep looking

Other head to heads