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Game Development · head to head

PlayCanvas vs Three.js

PlayCanvas logo

PlayCanvas

Game Development

Cloud-based WebGL game development platform

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: PlayCanvas private projects require a paid plan; the Free plan only allows public projects; Three.js forward rendering pipeline only, no deferred rendering support
  • They diverge on capability: PlayCanvas covers Cloud-based editor, Three.js covers Scene graph.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where PlayCanvas and Three.js differ
AttributePlayCanvasThree.js
Pricing modelfreemiumfree
PlatformsWeb, MobileWeb, 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 PlayCanvas

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

Only in Three.js

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

Both cover

  • WebGL rendering
  • Web support

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 Three.js
  • Browser based collaborative 3D editing across a teamnot Three.js
  • Web AR and VR experiences, product configurators and playable adsnot Three.js

Three.js

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

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

PlayCanvas

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 1GB storage
    • Unlimited public projects
    • Free app hosting
  • Personal$15/month
    • 10GB storage
    • Unlimited private projects
    • REST API access
  • Organization$50/per seat/month
    • 50GB storage
    • Team management
    • Full feature access

Three.js

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full library
    • WebXR module
    • Examples

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 Three.js if

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

Questions people ask

Is PlayCanvas or Three.js better?
Neither clearly leads. PlayCanvas 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, PlayCanvas or Three.js?
PlayCanvas starts at Free and Three.js at Free.
Does PlayCanvas or Three.js run on more platforms?
PlayCanvas runs on Web, Mobile. Three.js runs on Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, 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 Three.js is typically brought in for.
What can PlayCanvas do that Three.js cannot?
PlayCanvas covers Cloud-based editor, Real-time collaboration, Physics engine, Visual scripting. Three.js covers Scene graph, Materials system, Animation system, WebXR. Both handle WebGL rendering, Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

PlayCanvas: How much does PlayCanvas cost?

PlayCanvas is free to start with 1GB storage and unlimited public projects. Personal plans cost $15/month with 10GB storage and unlimited private projects. Organization plans are $50 per seat/month with 50GB storage and team management features.

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
PlayCanvas: Does PlayCanvas have a free version?

Yes, PlayCanvas offers a free plan with 1GB storage, unlimited public projects, and free app hosting. Private projects and additional storage require a paid 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
PlayCanvas: What happens to my projects if I cancel my PlayCanvas subscription?

Private projects become locked upon subscription cancellation unless you switch them to public. Public projects remain accessible and editable.

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
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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