Armory3D

Armory3D is a free, open-source 3D game engine delivered through Blender and an external SDK. It is a strong fit for developers who want to build in Blender and are comfortable working with Haxe or visual logic nodes. Its broad export reach is appealing, but setup depends on a supported Blender release.

Overview

Armory3D combines a Blender add-on workflow with a portable engine focused on a small footprint and performance. Its zlib/libpng license permits commercial use subject to its stated restrictions, and the software says it does not collect, market, or sell user data.

The Blender integration is the defining trade-off: it keeps game development close to a familiar 3D creation environment, but makes Blender version compatibility part of the decision. The setup guide calls for Blender 4.5.x LTS and does not support Blender 3.3 LTS or earlier. The SDK is described as a portable add-on with no installation, alongside an external SDK.

Key features

Armory3D offers both code and visual approaches to game logic. Developers can write behavior in Haxe or assemble it with visual logic nodes, including custom nodes. That flexibility suits teams mixing scripting with node-based work, though Haxe is a specific language commitment rather than a general-purpose editor workflow.

Its renderer supports deferred and forward paths and can be extended with custom render paths. That makes it more adaptable to different rendering needs than a fixed pipeline, while placing more responsibility on developers who want to customize it. Lighting options include voxel-based ambient occlusion, lightmapping, area lights, reflection probes, and IES textures.

For physics, Armory3D uses Bullet for rigid and soft body simulation and can also be configured to use Oimo. Objects can be marked as actors for real-time navigation-mesh pathing. Animation and effects cover emitter and hair particles with GPU instancing, GPU skinning, bones, keyframes, shape keys, and tilesheets. An included UI library and editor provide a route to building game interfaces.

Multiplayer tools and console export are supported, alongside builds for desktop, mobile, and web. The broad target list is useful for projects intended to travel across platforms, but the engine’s actual build workflow still begins with its Blender-centered SDK setup.

Pricing

Armory Engine — free. The plan includes the open-source engine, Blender add-on, and external SDK. There are no paid tiers, seat counts, quotas, or trial period to weigh in the plan description. The license permits commercial applications subject to its stated restrictions, so commercial use does not require moving to a paid plan.

This is a compelling starting point for individuals and teams who want an engine without an upfront software price. The cost trade-off is not a paid feature ladder; it is the technical fit of the Blender and Haxe workflow and the need to use a supported Blender version.

Platforms

Armory3D runs on Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android, and the web. Its export targets include all six, and console export is also supported. That range makes it relevant to developers planning cross-platform releases rather than a single desktop build.

Who it's for

Choose Armory3D if Blender is already central to your workflow, you want visual nodes alongside Haxe scripting, and you value an open-source engine with desktop, mobile, web, and console export options. It is a less natural fit if you cannot use Blender 4.5.x LTS or do not want a Blender-centered setup.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Free and open source, with commercial use permitted under the stated license restrictions; no paid plan is required.
• Pros: Visual logic nodes and Haxe scripting offer both node-based and code-based ways to build behavior.
• Pros: Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android, web, and console export give projects a wide range of targets.
• Pros: Custom render paths, two rendering paths, and a broad set of lighting features give developers room to shape rendering.
• Cons: The setup guide requires Blender 4.5.x LTS and rules out Blender 3.3 LTS and earlier, which may disrupt existing workflows.
• Cons: Haxe is the code option for game logic, so developers seeking a different scripting language may prefer another engine.

Alternatives

Consider Godot Engine if you want a free, open-source engine with no contracts or hidden fees and do not need Armory3D’s Blender-centered workflow. Defold is another free option, with no licensing, royalty, or runtime fees.

Construct 3 is worth considering for individuals and hobbyists who want all features unlocked under its Personal License and the option to cancel at any time; it is freemium and offers a free trial. GDevelop offers a free plan described as a way to create a first game for free, with a freemium model.

CRYENGINE is another free-to-download engine, but its stated licensing terms are royalty-based. Flax Engine is free for non-commercial or educational use; commercial releases pay a 4% royalty on earnings exceeding $250,000 per calendar year.

Stencyl offers a Starter plan for publishing to web/HTML5 and an Indie plan at $99 a year for web and desktop publishing. Clickteam Fusion 2.5 has a free edition with limited HTML5 export and a 99.99 USD one-time PC edition for commercial games and apps.

Verdict

Armory3D is a good choice for developers who want an open-source, Blender-integrated 3D engine with visual and Haxe-based game logic and extensive export targets. Its main reason to choose it is the combination of Blender workflow and no-cost commercial use; its main reason to look elsewhere is the Blender version requirement, especially for developers tied to older releases.