Game Engines: Commercial Free Tiers
Commercial engines with generous free tiers.
| Software | Description | License | Tags | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construct 3 | Browser-based no-code 2D engine with visual scripting. | Freemium | No-code · Browser | No-code 2D games, browser-based |
| CryEngine | High-fidelity 3D engine, pay-what-you-want. | Freemium | High-Fidelity · PWYW | High-fidelity 3D |
| Evergine | Enterprise-focused graphics engine for 3D business and industry applications. | Open Source | Enterprise · Industrial | Enterprise 3D apps |
| GameMaker | GML-based 2D engine (Undertale, Hotline Miami). | Freemium | 2D Focus · Indie Proven | 2D games |
| GDevelop | Open-source event-based no-code 2D. | Open Source | No-code · Open Source | Open-source no-code 2D |
| PlayCanvas | JavaScript browser-based 3D engine. | Freemium | Browser-Based · JavaScript | Browser-based 3D games |
| Ren'Py | Python visual novel engine (industry standard). | Open Source | Visual Novels · Industry Standard | Visual novels |
| RPG Maker MZ | JavaScript-based RPG creation. | Paid | RPG Focus · JavaScript | RPG creation |
| SceneKit | Apple proprietary 3D game engine (available on macOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS and watchOS). | Free | Apple-Native · Proprietary | Apple ecosystem 3D games |
| Unbound | SDF-based game development platform. Non-destructive real-time editing, Lua 5.3 scripting, FBX/glTF export. Early Access. | Freemium | SDF-Native · Early Access | SDF-native game creation |
| Unity | Cross-platform engine with massive asset store ecosystem (current major release Unity 6). | Freemium | Cross-Platform · XR | Mobile, AR/VR, cross-platform |
| Unreal Engine 5 | AAA engine from Epic. Free until $1M revenue, then royalty. | Freemium | AAA · Virtual Production | AAA, film, virtual production |