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Head-to-head · Game Level Editors

TrenchBroom vs DarkRadiant

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score TrenchBroom #5 in Game Level Editors 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit TrenchBroom
DarkRadiant #8 in Game Level Editors 8.4/10 Open source Free plan✓ 2 of 5 features Visit DarkRadiant

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

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreTrenchBroom · 8.7/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresDarkRadiant · 2 of 5

TrenchBroom scores higher on our rubric for game level editors: 8.7 against 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #8.

TrenchBroom is the better fit for free 3D Quake-family level editing. DarkRadiant is the better fit for the Dark Mod and idTech4 level editing.

  • TrenchBroom fits best

    Free 3D Quake-family level editing

  • DarkRadiant fits best

    The Dark Mod and idTech4 level editing

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Side by side

Feature TrenchBroom 8.7/10 Visit ↗ DarkRadiant 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.7 8.4
Ranking #5 in Game Level Editors #8 in Game Level Editors
Best for Free 3D Quake-family level editing The Dark Mod and idTech4 level editing
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Open source
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Community, Docs Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business
Features TrenchBroom 0/5 · DarkRadiant 2/5
Tilemap tools Not checked yet Not checked yet
Terrain tools Not checked yet Not checked yet
Entity placement Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Prefab or template tools Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Visual scripting Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Level dimensions Not checked yet 3d
Our review
Pros
  • Deep 3D brush, CSG, texture, UV, and entity editing tools
  • Supports Windows, macOS, Linux, and multiple Quake-related formats
  • Includes issue quick fixes, external compilers, backups, and unlimited undo
  • Combines 3D camera and dockable 2D orthographic views
  • Supports brushes, patches, entities, shaders and reusable prefabs
  • Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux under GPLv2
Cons
  • Its focus is brush-based Quake-engine and related game formats
  • External compiler and game-engine launching require configured tools
  • The workflow centers on desktop platforms rather than web editing
  • Its supported game focus is narrower than general-purpose editors
  • Requires resources from a supported game to work with
  • Does not include AI features
Our verdict

TrenchBroom is a free, GPLv3+-licensed level editor for brush-based Quake-engine games. It is aimed at creators working on Quake, Quake 2, Quake 3, Hexen 2, Daikatana, and custom engines through game configurations. The editor combines a…

Read the review →

DarkRadiant is a desktop level and map editor for The Dark Mod and other idTech4-based games, including Doom 3, Quake 4 and Prey. It is designed for constructing 3D game environments from brushes and patches, placing and editing entities,…

Read the review →
  1. TrenchBroomGame Level Editors 8.7Free plan
  2. DarkRadiantGame Level Editors 8.4Open source

Strengths and trade-offs

  • TrenchBroom — where it wins

    • Deep 3D brush, CSG, texture, UV, and entity editing tools
    • Supports Windows, macOS, Linux, and multiple Quake-related formats
    • Includes issue quick fixes, external compilers, backups, and unlimited undo

    Where it doesn't

    • Its focus is brush-based Quake-engine and related game formats
    • External compiler and game-engine launching require configured tools
    • The workflow centers on desktop platforms rather than web editing

  • DarkRadiant — where it wins

    • Combines 3D camera and dockable 2D orthographic views
    • Supports brushes, patches, entities, shaders and reusable prefabs
    • Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux under GPLv2

    Where it doesn't

    • Its supported game focus is narrower than general-purpose editors
    • Requires resources from a supported game to work with
    • Does not include AI features

More comparisons

All game level editors comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update