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Three.js vs Unreal Engine

Three.js logo

Three.js

AR VR

JavaScript 3D library for WebGL and WebXR

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Unreal Engine logo

Unreal Engine

Entertainment

The world's most open and advanced real-time 3D creation tool

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Three.js forward rendering pipeline only, no deferred rendering support; Unreal Engine 5% royalty triggered on any project exceeding $1 million in gross revenue across all revenue sources
  • They diverge on capability: Three.js covers WebGL rendering, Unreal Engine covers Real-time ray tracing.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Three.js and Unreal Engine actually diverge.

Attributes where Three.js and Unreal Engine differ
AttributeThree.jsUnreal Engine
Pricing modelfreeUnknown
PlatformsWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, AndroidPC, macOS, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android, VR, AR
CategoryAR VREntertainment
Founded20101991

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
  • Animation system
  • WebXR
  • Post-processing
  • Physics
  • Loaders

Only in Unreal Engine

  • Real-time ray tracing
  • Nanite geometry
  • Lumen global illumination
  • Blueprint visual scripting
  • C++ programming
  • World composition
  • Animation systems
  • Audio engine

What people use each for

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

Three.js

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

Unreal Engine

  • AAA game developmentnot Three.js
  • Indie game creationnot Three.js
  • Architectural visualizationnot Three.js
  • Film and TV productionnot Three.js
  • VR/AR experiencesnot 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

Unreal Engine

  • 5% royalty triggered on any project exceeding $1 million in gross revenue across all revenue sources
  • Smaller mobile game ecosystem compared to Unity, with fewer optimized mobile libraries and live-ops services

Pricing, plan by plan

Three.js

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full library
    • WebXR module
    • Examples

Unreal Engine

Free
  • Game DevelopmentFree
    • Nanite geometry
    • Lumen global illumination
    • Blueprint visual scripting
  • Non-Game Commercial$1850/year
    • No royalties
    • Enterprise features

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 Unreal Engine if

  • You need real-time ray tracing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on PC, macOS, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android, VR, AR.
  • You also want nanite geometry.
Unreal Engine review

Questions people ask

Is Three.js or Unreal Engine better?
Neither clearly leads. Three.js starts at Free and Unreal Engine at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Three.js or Unreal Engine?
Three.js starts at Free and Unreal Engine at Free.
Does Three.js or Unreal Engine run on more platforms?
Three.js runs on Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android. Unreal Engine runs on PC, macOS, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android, VR, AR.
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 Unreal Engine is typically brought in for.
What can Three.js do that Unreal Engine cannot?
Three.js covers WebGL rendering, Scene graph, Materials system, Animation system. Unreal Engine covers Real-time ray tracing, Nanite geometry, Lumen global illumination, Blueprint visual scripting.

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
Unreal Engine: What is Unreal Engine's royalty structure?

Unreal Engine is free upfront with a 5% royalty on gross revenue worldwide after a project exceeds $1 million in lifetime gross revenue. This includes in-app purchases, advertising, and direct sales but excludes indirect revenue.

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
Unreal Engine: What platforms can Unreal Engine target?

Unreal Engine supports PC, VR, AR, gaming consoles, and mobile devices. The royalty fee applies across all platforms.

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
Unreal Engine: What are Unreal Engine's graphics capabilities?

Unreal Engine 5 features Nanite virtualized geometry and Lumen global illumination, enabling photorealistic AAA workflows. Nanite replaces traditional LOD systems with 128-triangle clusters and software rasterization for superior visual fidelity.

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
Unreal Engine: Do non-game developers pay royalties?

No. Non-game commercial teams pay $1,850 per seat per year instead of royalties. This covers enterprise use cases outside traditional game development.

Source
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