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Head-to-head · Game Particle Effect Editors

BlastFX vs GDX Particle Editor

  • Updated Nov 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score BlastFX #3 in Game Particle Effect Editors 8.5/10 Paid ✓ 1 of 1 features Visit BlastFX
GDX Particle Editor #6 in Game Particle Effect Editors 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 1 features Visit libGDX

BlastFX leads on 0 checks, GDX Particle Editor on 1, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreBlastFX · 8.5/10
  • Free planonly GDX Particle Editor
  • Most featuresBlastFX · 1 of 1

BlastFX scores higher on our rubric for game particle effect editors: 8.5 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #6.

GDX Particle Editor offers free plan; BlastFX doesn't.

BlastFX is the better fit for artists making standalone effects and exportable sprites. GDX Particle Editor is the better fit for libGDX developers seeking a free desktop editor.

  • BlastFX fits best

    Artists making standalone effects and exportable sprites

  • GDX Particle Editor fits best

    libGDX developers seeking a free desktop editor

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Side by side

Feature BlastFX 8.5/10 Visit ↗ GDX Particle Editor 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.5 7.9
Ranking #3 in Game Particle Effect Editors #6 in Game Particle Effect Editors
Best for Artists making standalone effects and exportable sprites libGDX developers seeking a free desktop editor
Pricing model Paid Free
Starting price $19.99 one-time Free plan
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Windows, macOS, Linux
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features BlastFX 1/1 · GDX Particle Editor 0/1
GPU simulation ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Engine integration Standalone Standalone
Supported engines Not checked yet libGDX
Export formats Sprite sheet, PNG image sequence, animated GIF, uncompressed AVI libGDX-compatible particle effects
Editor platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Windows, macOS, Linux
Particle limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Layer multiple emitters and adjust particle motion, shape, color, and trails.
  • Preview timing with timeline scrubbing, playback, and loop controls.
  • Export sprite sheets, PNG sequences, animated GIFs, or AVI video.
  • Preview particle effects in real time while adjusting emitter properties
  • Combine multiple emitters and use image-based particle sprites
  • Export libGDX-compatible effects on Windows, macOS, and Linux
Cons
  • Standalone exports require a separate workflow for use in a game engine.
  • There is no free plan; access starts with a $19.99 one-time purchase.
  • The desktop app is limited to Windows, macOS, and Linux.
  • Exports are aimed at libGDX rather than a range of game engines
  • Runs as a desktop JAR and requires JDK 11 or newer
  • Its scope centers on 2D particle effects, not broader visual effects work
Our verdict

BlastFX is a standalone desktop editor for designing layered 2D particle effects and preparing them for game, animation, UI, trailer, or pixel-art work. Its control set is aimed at artists who want to shape an effect visually rather than…

Read the review →

GDX Particle Editor is libGDX’s official desktop tool for creating 2D particle effects, aimed at developers working on libGDX projects. It lets users adjust particle life, velocity, rotation, and scale, with a real-time preview to see the…

Read the review →
  1. BlastFXGame Particle Effect Editors 8.5Paid
  2. GDX Particle EditorGame Particle Effect Editors 7.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • BlastFX — where it wins

    • Layer multiple emitters and adjust particle motion, shape, color, and trails.
    • Preview timing with timeline scrubbing, playback, and loop controls.
    • Export sprite sheets, PNG sequences, animated GIFs, or AVI video.

    Where it doesn't

    • Standalone exports require a separate workflow for use in a game engine.
    • There is no free plan; access starts with a $19.99 one-time purchase.
    • The desktop app is limited to Windows, macOS, and Linux.

  • GDX Particle Editor — where it wins

    • Preview particle effects in real time while adjusting emitter properties
    • Combine multiple emitters and use image-based particle sprites
    • Export libGDX-compatible effects on Windows, macOS, and Linux

    Where it doesn't

    • Exports are aimed at libGDX rather than a range of game engines
    • Runs as a desktop JAR and requires JDK 11 or newer
    • Its scope centers on 2D particle effects, not broader visual effects work
  • BlastFX8.5/10 · Paid

    A detailed desktop particle editor for building effects and exporting them as animation assets.

    Visit BlastFXFull verdict →
  • GDX Particle Editor7.9/10 · Free plan

    A focused, free editor for authoring and previewing particle effects for libGDX projects.

    Visit libGDXFull verdict →

More comparisons

All game particle effect editors comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026

Last updated · How we research and update