Game Development · head to head
Pygame vs Cocos2d-x
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Pygame licensed under GNU LGPL v2.1, free to use even in closed-source and commercial games, no paid tier; 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: Pygame covers Graphics rendering, Cocos2d-x covers 2D rendering.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Pygame and Cocos2d-x actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (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 Pygame
- Graphics rendering
- Audio playback
- Input handling
- Sprite system
- Collision detection
- Font rendering
- Animation support
- Event system
Only in Cocos2d-x
- 2D rendering
- Physics engine (Chipmunk)
- Particle effects
- Animation system
- Audio engine
- Touch input handling
- Tilemap support
- Sprite batching
Both cover
- Local deployment
- Windows support
- Macos support
- Linux support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Pygame
- 2D game developmentnot Cocos2d-x
- Game prototypingnot Cocos2d-x
- Educational gamesnot Cocos2d-x
- Learning game developmentnot Cocos2d-x
Cocos2d-x
- Mobile game developmentnot Pygame
- 2D gamesnot Pygame
- Lightweight gamesnot Pygame
- Cross-platform gamesnot Pygame
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Pygame
- Licensed under GNU LGPL v2.1, free to use even in closed-source and commercial games, no paid tier
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
Pygame
Free- FreeFree
- Full library
- Python support
- Graphics rendering
Cocos2d-x
Free- FreeFree
- Full engine source
- MIT License
- Community support
Which should you pick?
Choose Pygame if
- You need graphics rendering.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Android.
- You also want audio playback.
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 Pygame or Cocos2d-x better?
- Neither clearly leads. Pygame 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, Pygame or Cocos2d-x?
- Pygame starts at Free and Cocos2d-x at Free.
- Does Pygame or Cocos2d-x run on more platforms?
- Pygame runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Android. Cocos2d-x runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android.
- Can I use Pygame for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Pygame best used for?
- Pygame is most often used for 2d game development, game prototyping, educational games, learning game development. Of those, 2d game development and game prototyping are not what Cocos2d-x is typically brought in for.
- What can Pygame do that Cocos2d-x cannot?
- Pygame covers Graphics rendering, Audio playback, Input handling, Sprite system. Cocos2d-x covers 2D rendering, Physics engine (Chipmunk), Particle effects, Animation system. Both handle Local deployment, Windows support, Macos support, Linux support.