Software · head to head
Pygame vs Flax Engine
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; Flax Engine flax charges a 4% royalty on game earnings above $250,000, assessed per calendar quarter
- They diverge on capability: Pygame covers Graphics rendering, Flax Engine covers 3D graphics rendering.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Pygame and Flax Engine actually diverge.
| Attribute | Pygame | Flax Engine |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows, Macos, Linux, Android | Windows, Linux, Playstation, Xbox |
| Founded | 2000 | 2017 |
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 Pygame
- Graphics rendering
- Audio playback
- Input handling
- Sprite system
- Collision detection
- Font rendering
- Animation support
- Event system
Only in Flax Engine
- 3D graphics rendering
- Visual editor
- C# scripting
- Physics engine
- Audio system
- Particle effects
- Skeletal animation
- Material system
Both cover
- Open-source
- Local deployment
- Windows support
- Linux support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Pygame
- 2D game developmentnot Flax Engine
- Game prototypingnot Flax Engine
- Educational gamesnot Flax Engine
- Learning game developmentnot Flax Engine
Flax Engine
- Building 3D games in C# and C++ with full engine source accessnot Pygame
- Multi-platform deployment from one editornot Pygame
- Prototyping with the bundled Flax Samples projectsnot 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
Flax Engine
- Flax charges a 4% royalty on game earnings above $250,000, assessed per calendar quarter
- Free use is granted for non-commercial or educational usage; commercial releases fall under the royalty
- Users must accept the Flax Engine End-User License Agreement before using the engine or its tools, so it is not an OSI open source licence despite the source being on GitHub
- Non-game uses such as in-house tools or SaaS products need a custom licence negotiated with the vendor, and no rate card is published for per-seat or flat-fee options
Pricing, plan by plan
Pygame
Free- FreeFree
- Full library
- Python support
- Graphics rendering
Flax Engine
Free- FreeFree
- Full engine
- Visual editor
- C# scripting
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 Flax Engine if
- You need 3d graphics rendering.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Linux, Playstation, Xbox.
- You also want visual editor.
Questions people ask
- Is Pygame or Flax Engine better?
- Neither clearly leads. Pygame starts at Free and Flax Engine at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Pygame or Flax Engine?
- Pygame starts at Free and Flax Engine at Free.
- Does Pygame or Flax Engine run on more platforms?
- Pygame runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Android. Flax Engine runs on Windows, Linux, Playstation, Xbox.
- 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 Flax Engine is typically brought in for.
- What can Pygame do that Flax Engine cannot?
- Pygame covers Graphics rendering, Audio playback, Input handling, Sprite system. Flax Engine covers 3D graphics rendering, Visual editor, C# scripting, Physics engine. Both handle Open-source, Local deployment, Windows support, Linux support.