Freedom251 › Game Engine Software
PlayCanvas
by PlayCanvas
What PlayCanvas is
PlayCanvas is a web platform for building 2D and 3D browser experiences. Its Engine supports WebGL2 and WebGPU, including compute shaders, and the platform includes WebXR with integrations for 8th Wall and Zappar. Listed targets include browsers, mobile devices, and VR headsets. Workflows include visual editing, npm, React, and HTML Web Components, with JavaScript as the listed scripting language. The platform also provides tools to edit, optimize, and render 3D Gaussian Splats, and supports multiplayer tools. PlayCanvas is open sourced on GitHub under the MIT license. The Free plan costs nothing and includes full Engine access, unlimited public projects, app hosting, and 1GB storage. Personal costs $15 a month and includes unlimited private projects and 10GB storage; Organization costs $50 a month and includes unlimited private projects, team management, and 50GB storage. Private projects lock when a subscription is canceled, but published apps are unaffected.
Who it suits
PlayCanvas suits individuals and teams building browser-based games, collaborative education experiences, or other 2D and 3D web projects. Its visual, npm, React, and HTML Web Components workflows offer different ways to build.
What it does well
- Free tier includes full Engine access.
- Supports WebGL2, WebGPU, and WebXR.
- Unlimited public projects on the free plan.
- Organization plan includes team management.
- Open sourced under the MIT license.
What to know first
- Free accounts include 1GB of storage.
- Private projects lock after subscription cancellation.
- Personal plan costs $15 a month.
- Organization plan costs $50 a month.
Limits
The free plan includes 1GB of storage and unlimited public projects. Personal costs $15 per month and includes 10GB of storage; Organization costs $50 per month and includes 50GB. Private projects lock when a subscription is canceled, though published apps are unaffected.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free | billed monthly · 1GB storage · Unlimited public projects | Free |
| Personal | Payment automatically taken monthly · 10GB storage · Unlimited private projects | $15 a month |
| Organization | Payment automatically taken monthly · 50GB storage · Unlimited private projects | $50 a month |
As playcanvas.com lists them, read 27 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Open playcanvas.com.
- Create a free account for full Engine access, unlimited public projects, and 1GB storage.
- Use the visual workflow, npm, React, or HTML Web Components to work on a project.
- Upgrade to Personal or Organization to use unlimited private projects.
- Use an account upgrade code to trial Personal or Organization.
Verdict
PlayCanvas combines a browser-focused Engine with multiple development workflows and a free tier for public projects. If private projects matter, consider the paid plans and the effect of canceling a subscription.
Questions
Is PlayCanvas free?
Yes. The free plan includes the full Engine, unlimited public projects, app hosting, and 1GB of storage.
What do the paid plans cost?
Personal costs $15 per month. Organization costs $50 per month.
What platforms does PlayCanvas support?
It is a web platform and lists WebGL2, WebGPU, WebXR, browsers, mobile devices, and VR headsets as targets.
Is PlayCanvas open source?
Yes. It is open sourced on GitHub under the MIT license.
What happens to projects after canceling?
Private projects lock when a subscription is canceled. Published apps are unaffected.
Can I try a paid plan?
Personal and Organization plans can be trialed through an account upgrade code.
Facts from PlayCanvas's own pages
- AR Integrations
- WebXR support is built in, with integrations for 8th Wall and Zappar. · playcanvas.com, 27 Sept 2026
- Auto Renewal
- Personal and Organization subscriptions automatically renew monthly. · playcanvas.com, 27 Sept 2026
- Billing Support
- Billing questions can be sent to [email protected]. · playcanvas.com, 27 Sept 2026
- Browser Experiences
- The platform supports browser games, browser-based casino games, and browser-based collaborative education. · playcanvas.com, 27 Sept 2026
- Editor Workflows
- Users can work visually, through npm, with React, or with HTML Web Components. · playcanvas.com, 27 Sept 2026
- Founded
- 2011 · playcanvas.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Free Access
- The free tier provides full access to the PlayCanvas Engine. · playcanvas.com, 27 Sept 2026
- Free App Hosting
- Free app hosting is included in the free, Personal, and Organization plans. · playcanvas.com, 27 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · playcanvas.com, 21 Sept 2026
- Free Project Limit
- Free accounts support unlimited public projects. · playcanvas.com, 27 Sept 2026
- Free Storage Limit
- Free accounts include 1GB of storage. · playcanvas.com, 27 Sept 2026
- Gaussian Splatting
- The platform includes editing, optimization, and rendering tools for 3D Gaussian Splats. · playcanvas.com, 27 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- London, United Kingdom · playcanvas.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Minimum Subscription
- The minimum subscription term is one month, and cancellation is allowed at any time. · playcanvas.com, 27 Sept 2026
- Multiplayer tools
- Yes · playcanvas.com, 21 Sept 2026
- Open Source License
- The platform is open sourced on GitHub under the MIT license. · playcanvas.com, 27 Sept 2026
- Platform Support
- PlayCanvas supports WebGL2 and WebGPU, including compute shaders. · playcanvas.com, 27 Sept 2026
- Private Project Access
- Private projects become locked when a subscription is canceled. · playcanvas.com, 27 Sept 2026
- Published Apps
- Published apps are unaffected when a subscription is canceled. · playcanvas.com, 27 Sept 2026
- Support Contact
- General support is available at [email protected]. · playcanvas.com, 27 Sept 2026
- Team Collaboration
- Organization plans include team management and unlimited private projects. · playcanvas.com, 27 Sept 2026
- Plan Trial
- Personal and Organization plans can be trialed through an account upgrade code. · playcanvas.com, 27 Sept 2026
Where PlayCanvas stands on Freedom251
- Game Engine Software#40 of 92
- Game Development Software#32 of 43