Solarus
Solarus: A focused Lua engine for desktop 2D action-adventure development. Ranked #63 of 91 in Game Engine Software by our editors (3.2/10); pricing: Free plan; best for creators making Lua-based action-adventure games.
At a glance
- Editor score3.2 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forCreators making Lua-based action-adventure games
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Source code modelOpen_source
- Founded2021 · France
- Facts checked24 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Graphical editor covers maps, sprites and Lua scripts
- Built-in multiplayer, gamepad and spatialized audio APIs
- Free, open-source engine for Windows, macOS and Linux
Where it doesn't
- Focused on 2D games rather than broad game genres
- Lua is the scripting language; visual scripting is not provided
- Android support is still documented as a work in progress
Our verdict on Solarus
Solarus is a free, open-source 2D game engine aimed at creators making action-RPG and action-adventure games. Its C++ engine handles graphics and collisions, while Lua defines game logic through the Solarus API. Solarus Editor provides graphical tools for maps, sprites and scripts, giving solo developers and small teams a focused desktop workflow on Windows, macOS and Linux.
The engine’s standout depth is its built-in game-play tooling. Projects can include multiple heroes, maps and cameras through the multiplayer support, while the Gamepad API handles multiple controllers. An Audio API adds spatialization, and completed projects can be packaged as .solarus files for launching through Solarus Launcher. This combination keeps core 2D adventure systems within one engine and pairs graphical editing with code-driven Lua logic.
Solarus is distributed through an open-source model with a free plan, rather than a set of paid tiers. The published desktop targets are Windows, macOS and Linux; Android is described as a work in progress, so teams planning established mobile deployment may want another engine. Support is centered on community resources and documentation. Choose Solarus when Lua, desktop delivery and built-in adventure-oriented systems match the project. Consider alternatives if you need visual scripting, a broader 3D scope or a mature mobile export path.
Your product? Our editors can test Solarus in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Solarus pricing
Solarus fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Source code model | Open_source |
| Visual scripting | No |
| Multiplayer tools | Yes |
| Mobile export | Not verified |
| Console export | Not verified |
| Target platforms | Windows, Linux, macOS; Android port in progress |
| Scripting languages | Lua |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Support | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | solarus-games.org |
| Facts checked | 24 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to Solarus
- Godot EngineA flexible open-source engine for 2D, 3D, multiplayer, and XR projects.9.2
- PlayCanvasA capable web-first engine for collaborative 2D and 3D game development.9.0
- GameMakerA focused 2D engine with free non-commercial access and wide export coverage.8.9
See all Solarus alternatives →
Used Solarus? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used Solarus for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
Solarus is listed in our Game Engine Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/solarus/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/solarus.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update