Game Development · head to head
Raylib vs Cocos2d-x
Raylib
Game Development
A simple and easy-to-use library for game development
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Raylib free and open source with no commercial tier, per the vendor site features section; 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: Raylib covers Graphics rendering, Cocos2d-x covers 2D rendering.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Raylib 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 Raylib
- Graphics rendering
- Audio system
- Input handling
- Shapes drawing
- Sprite management
- Collision detection
- Font rendering
- Text input
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
- Mobile 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.
Raylib
- Simple 2D gamesnot Cocos2d-x
- Game prototypingnot Cocos2d-x
- Educational gamesnot Cocos2d-x
- Learning game developmentnot Cocos2d-x
Cocos2d-x
- Mobile game developmentnot Raylib
- 2D gamesnot Raylib
- Lightweight gamesnot Raylib
- Cross-platform gamesnot Raylib
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Raylib
- Free and open source with no commercial tier, per the vendor site features section
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
Raylib
Free- FreeFree
- Full library
- C/C++ support
- Graphics rendering
Cocos2d-x
Free- FreeFree
- Full engine source
- MIT License
- Community support
Which should you pick?
Choose Raylib if
- You need graphics rendering.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Android, Web.
- You also want audio system.
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 Raylib or Cocos2d-x better?
- Neither clearly leads. Raylib 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, Raylib or Cocos2d-x?
- Raylib starts at Free and Cocos2d-x at Free.
- Does Raylib or Cocos2d-x run on more platforms?
- Raylib runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Android, Web. Cocos2d-x runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android.
- Can I use Raylib for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Raylib best used for?
- Raylib is most often used for simple 2d games, game prototyping, educational games, learning game development. Of those, simple 2d games and game prototyping are not what Cocos2d-x is typically brought in for.
- What can Raylib do that Cocos2d-x cannot?
- Raylib covers Graphics rendering, Audio system, Input handling, Shapes drawing. Cocos2d-x covers 2D rendering, Physics engine (Chipmunk), Particle effects, Animation system. Both handle Local deployment, Mobile deployment, Windows support, Macos support.