Side by side
FIFE vs Unity
Both stand on game engine software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1
FIFE provides a focused toolkit for cross-platform isometric and top-down games, with maps, rendering, audio and scripting support. Its lack of multiplayer networking and programming-oriented setup make its intended use clear.
Visit FIFE
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+4
Visit Unity The facts
| FIFE | Unity | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | No |
| Runs on | Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Windows | Android, API, iPhone, Linux, Mac, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Not published | Unity Pro: $2,310 a year |
| Plans published | None | 8 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | fifengine.net | unity.com |
| On game engine software | #67 of 92 | #63 of 92 |
FIFE: what it does well
- C++ engine with Python bindings
- Supports Windows, Linux and macOS
- Includes map editor and atlas tools
- GPU-accelerated 2D rendering
- LGPL license permits commercial games without fees
What to know first
- No networking code or multiplayer support
- Some programming experience helps
- Features may contain bugs
- Build requires CMake 3.25 or newer and C++20