Game Development · head to head
Raylib vs Flax Engine
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; Flax Engine flax charges a 4% royalty on game earnings above $250,000, assessed per calendar quarter
- They diverge on capability: Raylib covers Graphics rendering, Flax Engine covers 3D graphics rendering.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Raylib and Flax Engine actually diverge.
| Attribute | Raylib | Flax Engine |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows, Macos, Linux, Android, Web | Windows, Linux, Playstation, Xbox |
| Founded | 2013 | 2017 |
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
- Input handling
- Shapes drawing
- Sprite management
- Collision detection
- Font rendering
- Text input
- C/C++
Only in Flax Engine
- 3D graphics rendering
- Visual editor
- C# scripting
- Physics engine
- Particle effects
- Skeletal animation
- Material system
- Lighting system
Both cover
- Audio system
- Open-source
- Local deployment
- Windows support
- Linux support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Raylib
- Simple 2D gamesnot 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 Raylib
- Multi-platform deployment from one editornot Raylib
- Prototyping with the bundled Flax Samples projectsnot 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
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
Raylib
Free- FreeFree
- Full library
- C/C++ support
- Graphics rendering
Flax Engine
Free- FreeFree
- Full engine
- Visual editor
- C# scripting
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 input handling.
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 Raylib or Flax Engine better?
- Neither clearly leads. Raylib 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, Raylib or Flax Engine?
- Raylib starts at Free and Flax Engine at Free.
- Does Raylib or Flax Engine run on more platforms?
- Raylib runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Android, Web. Flax Engine runs on Windows, Linux, Playstation, Xbox.
- 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 Flax Engine is typically brought in for.
- What can Raylib do that Flax Engine cannot?
- Raylib covers Graphics rendering, Input handling, Shapes drawing, Sprite management. Flax Engine covers 3D graphics rendering, Visual editor, C# scripting, Physics engine. Both handle Audio system, Open-source, Local deployment, Windows support.