cross-platform game development framework
MonoGame is an open-source C# cross-platform game framework, a re-implementation of Microsoft XNA, for building 2D and 3D games on desktop, mobile, and consoles.
Solves the same problem with a different architecture or at a different layer. Expect to rewrite the integration.
choose for an editor-driven C++/TypeScript engine with live preview, not a code-first C# framework.
Cocos simplifies game creation and distribution with Cocos Creator, a free, open-source, cross-platform game engine. Empowering millions of developers to create high-performance, engaging 2D/3D games and instant web entertainment.
choose for AAA-grade C++ 3D development requiring a full engine pipeline; heavier than MonoGame.
Open 3D Engine (O3DE) is an Apache 2.0-licensed multi-platform 3D engine that enables developers and content creators to build AAA games, cinema-quality 3D worlds, and high-fidelity simulations without any fees or commercial obligations.
choose for a Rust-native game engine with editor, if you avoid C#.
3D and 2D game engine written in Rust
choose for a C# engine with a visual editor and advanced rendering, trading away the simple XNA API.
Stride (formerly Xenko), a free and open-source cross-platform C# game engine.
choose for a polished C++ engine with C# scripting and visual editor, not a lightweight XNA replacement.
Flax Engine – multi-platform 3D game engine
choose for Python-first 3D game development; mature but with a heavier scene graph.
Powerful, mature open-source cross-platform game engine for Python and C++, developed by Disney and CMU
choose for low-level Zig-based game projects wanting compile-time guarantees over C# ecosystem.
zig game engine & graphics toolkit - mirror of https://code.hexops.com/hexops/mach
choose for a data-driven C++ engine using Lua scripting and fast iteration.
A complete and cross-platform game engine designed for flexibility, performance and fast iteration.
choose for a C++ engine with a component architecture and built-in editors, if you want open source.
An open source C++ game engine.
choose for Rust ECS-based game development with modern architecture.
A refreshingly simple data-driven game engine built in Rust
choose for Java/Kotlin developers targeting Android, desktop, and HTML5.
Desktop/Android/HTML5/iOS Java game development framework
choose for an editor-centric, lightweight Lua engine with web/mobile focus.
Defold is a completely free to use game engine for development of desktop, mobile and web games.
choose for an editor-driven multi-platform engine with its own scene system, at a larger runtime weight.
Godot Engine – Multi-platform 2D and 3D game engine
choose for C programmers wanting a tiny, simple game library; lower-level than MonoGame.
A simple and easy-to-use library to enjoy videogames programming
An earlier or more limited way to do the job. Still the right call when you need something small, proven, or CPU-only.
choose for maintaining existing Cocos2d-x projects; it's the older C++ generation superseded by Cocos Creator.
Cocos2d-x is a suite of open-source, cross-platform, game-development tools utilized by millions of developers across the globe. Its core has evolved to serve as the foundation for Cocos Creator 1.x & 2.x.
choose for quick retro pixel games in Python; much narrower than MonoGame's full 2D/3D scope.
A retro game engine for Python
Does the same job, but ships as an app. Useful to a person, not swappable into a codebase.
choose if you want a visual app to make games without coding; not embeddable like MonoGame.
🎮 Open-source, cross-platform 2D/3D/multiplayer game engine designed for everyone.
These projects were analysed and named MonoGame among their alternatives. The relationship is not symmetric — how MonoGame rates them is a separate judgement, made when MonoGame is analysed in its own right.
calls MonoGame “Choose MonoGame for a mature C# framework with direct control, but you must build your own tooling.”
Godot Engine – Multi-platform 2D and 3D game engine
calls MonoGame “Choose when you prefer C#/.NET and want a proven cross-platform framework; not usable from Rust.”
A refreshingly simple data-driven game engine built in Rust
calls MonoGame “Choose MonoGame if you are a C# developer targeting consoles and other .NET platforms, with an XNA-inspired API.”
A simple and easy-to-use library to enjoy videogames programming
calls MonoGame “choose for C#/.NET game development with XNA-style code.”
🎮 Open-source, cross-platform 2D/3D/multiplayer game engine designed for everyone.
calls MonoGame “Choose if you prefer C#/.NET over Java; it provides cross-platform game development for desktop, mobile, and consoles.”
Desktop/Android/HTML5/iOS Java game development framework
calls MonoGame “Choose if you prefer C# and the .NET ecosystem over C++, with strong desktop and console support.”
Cocos2d-x is a suite of open-source, cross-platform, game-development tools utilized by millions of developers across the globe. Its core has evolved to serve as the foundation for Cocos Creator 1.x & 2.x.
calls MonoGame “a C#/.NET game framework; choose when you prefer C# over Go.”
A dead simple 2D game engine for Go
calls MonoGame “C# framework continuing XNA; prefer for developers who want a low-level C# API and extensive platform support.”
Cocos simplifies game creation and distribution with Cocos Creator, a free, open-source, cross-platform game engine. Empowering millions of developers to create high-performance, engaging 2D/3D games and instant web entertainment.
calls MonoGame “Choose when you want a lightweight .NET framework and direct code control over game loop/rendering.”
Open 3D Engine (O3DE) is an Apache 2.0-licensed multi-platform 3D engine that enables developers and content creators to build AAA games, cinema-quality 3D worlds, and high-fidelity simulations without any fees or commercial obligations.
calls MonoGame “Choose for C# developers who want a mature framework for console/mobile platforms.”
3D and 2D game engine written in Rust
calls MonoGame “choose for a lightweight C# framework without an editor, when you need full control and minimal overhead.”
Stride (formerly Xenko), a free and open-source cross-platform C# game engine.
calls MonoGame “choose it for a code-only C# framework when you control the full game loop and don't need an editor.”
Flax Engine – multi-platform 3D game engine