Freedom251 › Game Engine Software
LÖVE
What LÖVE is
LÖVE is a free, open-source framework for making 2D games with Lua. It supports Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, and includes mobile export. Graphics functions cover drawing text and images, while audio functions can load and play streamed music. Documentation links cover modules including audio, data, filesystem, graphics, physics, thread, touch, and video. Downloads are listed for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android; iOS resources include source and libraries. LÖVE uses the zlib/libpng license, which its site says permits commercial use without limitations. The project has been used for commercial projects, game jams, and prototyping. Community help is available through forums, Discord, and a subreddit, with bug reports filed through GitHub. Its public repository lists dependencies including SDL3, OpenGL, OpenGL ES, Vulkan, Metal, OpenAL, and Lua-family runtimes. The repository notes that the main branch targets the next major release and should not be considered stable.
Who it suits
LÖVE suits developers building 2D games in Lua for desktop and mobile targets. It also fits commercial projects, game jams, and prototypes needing an open-source framework.
What it does well
- Free for commercial use without listed limitations
- Supports Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS
- Includes mobile export
- Provides graphics and audio functions
- Community support through forums, Discord, and subreddit
What to know first
- Main repository branch is not considered stable
- iOS resources are source and libraries
- Requires Lua scripting
- Uses listed external dependencies
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| LÖVE | Free for commercial use with no limitations | Free |
As love2d.org lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
LÖVE offers a Lua-focused route to 2D game development across desktop and mobile systems. Its license permits commercial use, while developers should distinguish stable releases from the development branch.
Facts from LÖVE's own pages
- Audio
- The site includes an example that loads and plays streamed audio. · love2d.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Bug reports
- The site says users can file a bug through GitHub. · love2d.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Commercial use
- The site says LÖVE can be used freely for commercial purposes with no limitations. · love2d.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Community support
- The site directs users to its forums, Discord server, and subreddit for help and community discussion. · love2d.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Dependencies
- The project repository lists SDL3, OpenGL, OpenGL ES, Vulkan, Metal, OpenAL, Lua-family runtimes, and other libraries as dependencies. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Development builds
- The repository says unstable builds for some platforms are automatically created after each commit. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Documentation
- The site links to a wiki and API documentation for modules including graphics, audio, filesystem, physics, and video. · love2d.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The download section lists LÖVE 11.5, with Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android downloads and iOS source and libraries. · love2d.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · love2d.org, 20 Sept 2026
- Graphics
- The site includes examples for drawing text and images. · love2d.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Mobile export
- Yes · love2d.org, 20 Sept 2026
- Open source
- LÖVE is free and open-source under the zlib/libpng license. · love2d.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Open source repository
- The public GitHub repository describes LÖVE as a 2D game framework for Lua and links to its wiki documentation. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Platforms
- The site lists Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS as supported platforms. · love2d.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Price and license
- LÖVE costs nothing and is licensed under the zlib/libpng license, which the site says allows commercial use without limitations. · love2d.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- LÖVE is a framework for making 2D games in Lua. · love2d.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Scripting languages
- Lua · love2d.org, 20 Sept 2026
- Source code model
- open_source · love2d.org, 20 Sept 2026
- Stability note
- The repository says its main branch is for development of the next major release and should not be considered stable. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- The site directs users to its forums, Discord server, and subreddit for community help. · love2d.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- The site says LÖVE works on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. · love2d.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Target platforms
- Windows,macOS,Linux,Android,iOS · love2d.org, 20 Sept 2026
- Use cases
- The site says LÖVE has been used for commercial projects, game jams, and prototyping. · love2d.org, 12 Oct 2026
Where LÖVE stands on Freedom251
- Game Engine Software#39 of 92