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AR VR · head to head

Three.js vs Unity

Three.js logo

Three.js

AR VR

JavaScript 3D library for WebGL and WebXR

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Unity logo

Unity

Game Development

Create beautiful interactive content with the world's leading real-time engine

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Three.js forward rendering pipeline only, no deferred rendering support; Unity unity Personal is free only for businesses with under $200,000 in funding or annual revenue; above that a Pro subscription is required
  • They diverge on capability: Three.js covers WebGL rendering, Unity covers Visual editor.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Three.js and Unity actually diverge.

Attributes where Three.js and Unity differ
AttributeThree.jsUnity
Pricing modelfreefreemium
PlatformsWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, AndroidWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Webgl
CategoryAR VRGame Development
Founded20102004

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Three.js

  • WebGL rendering
  • Scene graph
  • Materials system
  • WebXR
  • Post-processing
  • Physics
  • Loaders
  • Webgl support

Only in Unity

  • Visual editor
  • Physics engine (PhysX)
  • Particle system
  • Built-in audio engine
  • Scripting with C#
  • Asset Store
  • Version control integration
  • Visual Studio Code

Both cover

  • Animation system

What people use each for

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

Three.js

  • VR Gamingnot Unity
  • AR Marketingnot Unity
  • Virtual Trainingnot Unity
  • 3D Visualizationnot Unity
  • Immersive Experiencesnot Unity

Unity

  • 2D mobile game development for iOS and Android platformsnot Three.js
  • 3D multiplayer game development with networking and live opsnot Three.js
  • XR game creation for Meta Quest, Apple Vision Pro, and AR devicesnot Three.js
  • Real-time 3D rendering for architectural and automotive visualizationnot Three.js
  • Immersive training simulations for enterprise clientsnot Three.js

Where each one falls short

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

Three.js

  • Forward rendering pipeline only, no deferred rendering support
  • No built-in collision detection or spatial indexing, requiring external physics libraries
  • WebGL dependency means no support for non-WebGL environments

Unity

  • Unity Personal is free only for businesses with under $200,000 in funding or annual revenue; above that a Pro subscription is required
  • Unity Pro costs $210.00 per month or $2,310.00 per year per seat
  • Businesses with more than $25M in annual revenue are required to be on Unity Enterprise, which is custom priced and requires contacting sales
  • Deploying to game consoles and to Apple Vision Pro requires Unity Pro or above
  • Splash screen customization is not available on Unity Personal
  • Unity Personal is licensed for gaming and entertainment applications only
  • Read-only engine source code access is an Enterprise feature and carries an additional cost
  • Asset Manager storage on Personal is capped at 10 GB per organization
  • Unity AI tools are free for a 14 day trial on Personal, after which a paid subscription is required
  • Enterprise terms note that minimum subscription or spending commitments may apply

Pricing, plan by plan

Three.js

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full library
    • WebXR module
    • Examples

Unity

Free
  • PersonalFree
    • Full engine access
    • Asset Store access
    • Community support
  • Professional$399/month
    • All Personal features
    • Priority support
    • Advanced analytics

Which should you pick?

Choose Three.js if

  • You need webgl rendering.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android.
  • You also want scene graph.
Three.js review

Choose Unity if

  • You need visual editor.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Webgl.
  • You also want physics engine (physx).
Unity review

Questions people ask

Is Three.js or Unity better?
Neither clearly leads. Three.js starts at Free and Unity at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Three.js or Unity?
Three.js starts at Free and Unity at Free.
Does Three.js or Unity run on more platforms?
Three.js runs on Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android. Unity runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Webgl.
Can I use Three.js for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Three.js best used for?
Three.js is most often used for vr gaming, ar marketing, virtual training, 3d visualization. Of those, vr gaming and ar marketing are not what Unity is typically brought in for.
What can Three.js do that Unity cannot?
Three.js covers WebGL rendering, Scene graph, Materials system, WebXR. Unity covers Visual editor, Physics engine (PhysX), Particle system, Built-in audio engine. Both handle Animation system.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Three.js: Is Three.js free to use?

Yes. Three.js is released under the MIT license, an open-source license that permits unlimited commercial and personal use with no licensing fees.

Source
Unity: How much does Unity Plus or Pro cost?

Unity's homepage shows a price placeholder but does not disclose actual subscription rates. Detailed pricing tiers must be accessed through the dedicated pricing section.

Source
Three.js: Does Three.js include physics simulation?

No. Three.js is a rendering library only. Physics, collision detection, and spatial indexing must be implemented with external libraries like Rapier, Ammo, or JoltPhysics.

Source
Three.js: Can I use Three.js for offline development?

Yes. Local development requires a local web server for CORS compliance. You can use npm with a build tool like Vite, or run a local Python server for development.

Source
Three.js: Does Three.js support WebXR for VR/AR?

Yes. Three.js documentation includes WebXR APIs for building VR and AR experiences in web browsers.

Source
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