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Head-to-head · Game Engine Software

Construct 3 vs libGDX

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Construct 3 #4 in Game Engine Software 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Construct 3
libGDX #8 in Game Engine Software 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit libGDX

Construct 3 leads on 1 check, libGDX on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreConstruct 3 · 8.8/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresConstruct 3 · 3 of 4

Construct 3 scores higher on our rubric for game engine software: 8.8 against 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #8.

Construct 3 offers visual scripting; libGDX doesn't.

Construct 3 is the better fit for browser-first 2D and multiplayer projects. libGDX is the better fit for code-first Java game developers.

  • Construct 3 fits best

    Browser-first 2D and multiplayer projects

  • libGDX fits best

    Code-first Java game developers

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Side by side

Feature Construct 3 8.8/10 Visit ↗ libGDX 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 8.4
Ranking #4 in Game Engine Software #8 in Game Engine Software
Best for Browser-first 2D and multiplayer projects Code-first Java game developers
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price — Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support Email, Docs Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Construct 3 3/4 · libGDX 2/4
Visual scripting ✓ (best) —
Multiplayer tools ✓ ✓
Mobile export ✓ ✓
Console export Not checked yet —
Specs
Source code model Not checked yet Open_source
Target platforms web, Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS, Web
Scripting languages JavaScript, TypeScript Java, Groovy, Kotlin, Scala
Our review
Pros
  • Event sheets support visual game logic with conditions and actions
  • WebRTC tools support real-time online multiplayer creation
  • Exports target web, mobile, desktop, and Xbox UWP
  • Free and open-source framework with 2D and 3D graphics APIs
  • Supports Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS, and web deployment
  • Includes physics, networking, asset management, and service integrations
Cons
  • Free Edition limits event, layer, and effects counts
  • Multiplayer creation is unavailable in Free Edition
  • The engine is closed source and has no AI features
  • No visual scripting for editor-led development workflows
  • No console export support
  • Requires a code-first approach using supported JVM languages
Our verdict

Construct 3 is a browser-based 2D game engine from Scirra Ltd for indie developers, educators, hobbyists, and teams. Its event-sheet system lets creators build game logic with visual conditions and actions, while JavaScript and TypeScript…

Read the review →

libGDX is an open-source, code-centric Java framework for building 2D and 3D games. It is aimed at developers who prefer fine-grained control through code rather than a visual editor workflow. The framework provides a unified API with…

Read the review →
  1. Construct 3Game Engine Software 8.8Free plan
  2. libGDXGame Engine Software 8.4Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Construct 3 — where it wins

    • Event sheets support visual game logic with conditions and actions
    • WebRTC tools support real-time online multiplayer creation
    • Exports target web, mobile, desktop, and Xbox UWP

    Where it doesn't

    • Free Edition limits event, layer, and effects counts
    • Multiplayer creation is unavailable in Free Edition
    • The engine is closed source and has no AI features

  • libGDX — where it wins

    • Free and open-source framework with 2D and 3D graphics APIs
    • Supports Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS, and web deployment
    • Includes physics, networking, asset management, and service integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • No visual scripting for editor-led development workflows
    • No console export support
    • Requires a code-first approach using supported JVM languages

More comparisons

All game engine software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update