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Ren'Py vs Bevy

Ren'Py logo

Ren'Py

Software

A visual novel engine

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Bevy logo

Bevy

Software

A refreshingly simple data-driven game engine built in Rust

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Ren'Py desktop support is limited to Windows 10 and later on x86_64, macOS 10.10 and later on x86_64, and Linux on x86_64 or Arm; Bevy rust only, so it assumes a language most game teams do not already use
  • They diverge on capability: Ren'Py covers Simple scripting language, Bevy covers Entity Component System.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Ren'Py and Bevy actually diverge.

Attributes where Ren'Py and Bevy differ
AttributeRen'PyBevy
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, WebWindows, Macos, Linux, Webgl
Founded20042020

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 Ren'Py

  • Simple scripting language
  • Text rendering
  • Image display
  • Animations
  • Sound and music
  • Choice system
  • Save/load functionality
  • Translation support

Only in Bevy

  • Entity Component System
  • 2D/3D rendering
  • Audio system
  • Asset pipeline
  • Hot reloading
  • Cross-platform
  • Modular architecture
  • Parallel systems

Both cover

  • Local deployment
  • Web deployment
  • Windows support
  • Macos support
  • Linux support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Ren'Py

  • Writing visual novels with a text-based script languagenot Bevy
  • Building dating and management life simulation gamesnot Bevy
  • Shipping the same story project to Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOSnot Bevy

Bevy

  • 2D and 3D game development in Rustnot Ren'Py
  • Data-driven design using an entity component systemnot Ren'Py
  • Shipping to Windows, macOS, Linux, web, iOS and Android from one codebasenot Ren'Py
  • Projects wanting a permissive licence with no royalties or feesnot Ren'Py

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Ren'Py

  • Desktop support is limited to Windows 10 and later on x86_64, macOS 10.10 and later on x86_64, and Linux on x86_64 or Arm
  • Android and iOS are secondary platforms and development must be done on one of the three desktop platforms
  • Browser builds require WebAssembly support and Ren'Py states this platform remains Beta
  • Text support covers languages that do not require ligatures, with only some ligature-requiring languages supported

Bevy

  • Rust only, so it assumes a language most game teams do not already use
  • No visual editor of the kind Unity or Godot provide, so scenes and logic are written in code
  • Built around ECS, which is a different mental model from the scene-graph engines most developers come from

Pricing, plan by plan

Ren'Py

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full engine
    • Cross-platform support
    • Rich scripting language

Bevy

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Full engine access
    • ECS architecture
    • Hot reloading

Which should you pick?

Choose Ren'Py if

  • You need simple scripting language.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want text rendering.
Ren'Py review

Choose Bevy if

  • You need entity component system.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Webgl.
  • You also want 2d/3d rendering.
Bevy review

Questions people ask

Is Ren'Py or Bevy better?
Neither clearly leads. Ren'Py starts at Free and Bevy at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Ren'Py or Bevy?
Ren'Py starts at Free and Bevy at Free.
Does Ren'Py or Bevy run on more platforms?
Ren'Py runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web. Bevy runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Webgl.
Can I use Ren'Py for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Ren'Py best used for?
Ren'Py is most often used for writing visual novels with a text-based script language, building dating and management life simulation games, shipping the same story project to windows, macos, linux, android and ios. Of those, writing visual novels with a text-based script language and building dating and management life simulation games are not what Bevy is typically brought in for.
What can Ren'Py do that Bevy cannot?
Ren'Py covers Simple scripting language, Text rendering, Image display, Animations. Bevy covers Entity Component System, 2D/3D rendering, Audio system, Asset pipeline. Both handle Local deployment, Web deployment, Windows support, Macos support.
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