Game Development · head to head
Raylib vs Construct 3
Raylib
Game Development
A simple and easy-to-use library for game development
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Construct 3
Game Development
Create games without coding. Powered by the Scirra engine.
- 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; Construct 3 the free version caps projects at 50 events, or 25 when used without an account
- They diverge on capability: Raylib covers Graphics rendering, Construct 3 covers Visual event system.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Raylib and Construct 3 actually diverge.
| Attribute | Raylib | Construct 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | free | freemium |
| Platforms | Windows, Macos, Linux, Android, Web | Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web |
| Founded | 2013 | 2007 |
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 Raylib
- Graphics rendering
- Audio system
- Input handling
- Shapes drawing
- Sprite management
- Collision detection
- Font rendering
- Text input
Only in Construct 3
- Visual event system
- Drag-and-drop editor
- Physics engine
- Sprite editor
- Particle effects
- Sound effects
- Web-based
- HTML5 support
Both cover
- Local deployment
- Web deployment
- Mobile deployment
- Windows support
- Macos support
- Linux support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Raylib
- Simple 2D gamesnot Construct 3
- Game prototypingnot Construct 3
- Educational gamesnot Construct 3
- Learning game developmentnot Construct 3
Construct 3
- Building 2D browser games without writing codenot Raylib
- Publishing HTML5 games to the web, desktop and mobile stores from one projectnot 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
Construct 3
- The free version caps projects at 50 events, or 25 when used without an account
- Free projects are limited to 2 layers, 2 special effects, 1 timeline animation of up to 5 seconds and 1 web font
- The free version can only publish to HTML5 and the Construct Arcade, so desktop, Android, iOS and Facebook Instant Games all need a paid plan
- Licences are per seat and annual, at $129.99 for Personal, $168.99 for Startup Business and $468.99 for Business
Pricing, plan by plan
Raylib
Free- FreeFree
- Full library
- C/C++ support
- Graphics rendering
Construct 3
Free- FreeFree
- Web-based editor
- HTML5 export
- Asset library
- Personal$99/year
- All Free features
- Offline editor
- Advanced export
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 Construct 3 if
- You need visual event system.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
- You also want drag-and-drop editor.
Questions people ask
- Is Raylib or Construct 3 better?
- Neither clearly leads. Raylib starts at Free and Construct 3 at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Raylib or Construct 3?
- Raylib starts at Free and Construct 3 at Free.
- Does Raylib or Construct 3 run on more platforms?
- Raylib runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Android, Web. Construct 3 runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
- 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 Construct 3 is typically brought in for.
- What can Raylib do that Construct 3 cannot?
- Raylib covers Graphics rendering, Audio system, Input handling, Shapes drawing. Construct 3 covers Visual event system, Drag-and-drop editor, Physics engine, Sprite editor. Both handle Local deployment, Web deployment, Mobile deployment, Windows support.