Playstation vs Xbox, Mario vs Sonic, Unreal vs Unity? Whether it’s consoles, characters, or game engines, people get passionate about defending their gaming industry favorites.
Focusing on the game engines, Unity and Unreal Engine (aka UE4) are the two most popular game engines on the market today. They are the go-to tools for most indie developers. While many game development studios use their own proprietary game engines, plenty use Unity or Unreal.
So which engine is better? This is one of the most asked questions from the over half a million students that the team at GameDev.tv and I have taught over the last 5 years.
Unity vs Unreal Engine: history
Unreal Engine was developed by Epic Games founder Tim Sweeney in 1998. It launched alongside its debut title, “Unreal,” and was unique in allowing players to modify the game for the first time. Today Unreal is associated with “better graphics” and offers a big studio AAA-quality to the games that use it. Epic Games, the company behind Unreal Engine, has seen lots of success with its game Fortnite which has 200 million users and has generated revenue reported at $1 billion as of January 2019. Unreal Engine itself has 7 million users.
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Founded in Copenhagen in 2004, the founders of Unity wanted to make game development universally accessible. Today Unity is known as the “make any game” engine and is ideal for indie developers. Over 50% of games across all platforms use Unity and 60% of all VR/AR content is powered by Unity.
In reality, though, both engines are capable of making nearly any sort of game and deploying that game to most gaming platforms.
But that doesn’t help you decide, right? To answer which of these game engines is best for your needs, you first need to answer these five questions:
- How much game development experience do you have?
- Where do you want to release your games?
- What type of game do you want to release?
- Is this a hobby, or are you looking to make money?
- Are you skilling up to get a job with a game studio?
1. How much game development experience do you have?
If you’re just getting started with game development we recommend Unity. It offers a very intuitive design and uses the C# programming language, which makes it both easy to learn and fun to use.
After spending a weekend taking Unity courses, it’s not far-fetched to say you could have your first simple game made and ready to share with friends.
Plus, there’s a large amount of information available online from other Unity developers to help you out every step of the way. From YouTube videos to online courses to active community forums.
For a complete beginner, Unreal Engine is a mixed bag. There are two ways you can program your games in Unreal, either with Blueprint Visual Scripting or C++.
Blueprint Visual Scripting helps you have some quick wins (and completed games) if you’re not familiar with programming. However, if you want to unlock the full power of Unreal you’ll need to learn C++, which many people find trickier to learn than the C# programming language used by Unity.
Having made courses for both engines, our team deeply understands the difference in the learning curve between the two. If you want to learn to code, C# is easier than C++.
We’ve seen many of our students start in one engine, learn the required skills, and successfully transition to the other engine when needed for future uses. Many of the skills you learn in Unity can transfer to Unreal and vice versa.
Takeaway: The intuitive design and use of C# make Unity ideal for beginners.
2. Where do you want to release your games?
How potential players will access your game is an important consideration when deciding which engine to use. Both Unity and Unreal Engine engines offer cross-platform integration but Unity offers significantly more integrations. Check out the list below for the current platform integrations offered by Unity vs Unreal.
Unity Platform Integrations: iOS, Android, Windows Phone 8, Tizen, Android TV, Samsung SMART TV, Xbox One & 360, Windows PC, Mac OS X, Linux, Web Player, WebGL, HoloLens, SteamOS, PS4, Playstation Vita, and Wii U
Unreal Engine Platform Integrations: iOS, Android, VR, Linux, Windows PC, Mac OS X, SteamOS, HTML5, Xbox One, and PS4
While both engines can be used to make mobile games, we prefer to use Unity for mobile platforms. It’s an easier engine to make 2D games on and has an easier time scaling down to very low-end hardware. Unity offers the Light Weight Render Pipeline specifically targeted at low-powered devices with old GPUs.
If you’re going for high-end devices — like an Xbox One — then both Unity and Unreal will work.
Takeaway: Unity offers more cross-platform integration.
3. What type of game do you want to release?
Both Unreal and Unity support the creation of 2D and fully 3D rendered games. This is where you must consider which format is worth the time and cost spent as a developer.
If it’s 2D content you’re creating, then Unity is the one for you. It has a simpler user interface and well-developed 2D tools. Unreal can be used for 2D game development, but Epic Games aren’t prioritizing this feature set as much as Unity.
If you’re creating a more traditional action-filled first-person shooter game then opt for Unreal Engine. These types of games are what the engine was created for — for example, Unreal Tournament, Borderlands, and Fortnite.
Fortnite, made with Unreal Engine
If it’s stunning visuals you want in your game, Unreal Engine is hard to beat. Though Unity is working on improving its graphics offerings, it remains a primary differentiator between the two companies. The unbeatable visuals are also why more large studios use Unreal in their game development.
It’s worth noting that Unreal is more opinionated about how you structure your game than Unity. By default, developers use Unreal Engine’s Gameplay Framework to structure games.
This highlights a philosophical difference between the companies:
- Unreal includes more convenient out-of-the-box tools, but they have to be used the “Unreal Way,” which can be complicated to learn and use.
- Unity provides a simple foundation on which developers can build or buy their own tools. This means Unity concentrates on making the foundation it provides uncomplicated and clean, but you need to do more of the work yourself.
Some examples of the features Unreal Engine has built-in to its platform that Unity requires third-party plugins or custom code to access include:
- AI behavior trees
- Complex animation logic
- Game saving system
- Multi-player
- Gameplay abilities
- Chaos destruction system
Even if you opt for Unity, you can take a lot of inspiration from Unreal Engine’s architectural decisions. We have done this in our own courses by building systems that resemble the Unreal Gameplay Framework and Saving System in Unity.
Takeaway: If your end goal is a game with impressive graphics, choose Unreal Engine.
4. Is this a hobby, or are you looking to make money?
Both Unreal Engine and Unity are free to use, however, some conditions apply once you start earning revenue from the game.
Unity is available in three option plans — Personal, Plus, and Pro:
- Personal is free to use and developers can make up to $100,000 USD a year through the plan. A requirement with this free use is including the “Made in Unity” splash screen in the game.
- Plus costs $40 per month with a one-year subscription. Developers can make up to $200,000 a year and also get extra benefits such as splash screen customization and Integrations with collaboration tools.
- Pro plans are $150 per month and have no annual revenue limit. You get all the benefits included with Plus, with an addition of 3 extra seats and a high-end art asset pack.
Unreal lets developers use the full engine —with all its features — for free. If you decide to monetize your game, then Unreal is paid 5% of the revenue if it goes above $3,000 per game, per calendar quarter.
You can find further information on Unity pricing here and Unreal pricing here.
Takeaway: Both engines are worth experimenting with as you build out your games. If you’re expecting to make money on games, take the time to do some revenue analysis to uncover which company’s price structure is best for you.
5. Are you skilling up to get a job in a game studio?
If you’re learning Unreal or Unity to reach a career goal of working as a game developer in a game studio, start by looking at which engine and programming languages the studios you’re interested in working for use. Many studios use their own proprietary game engine; in this case, the language is the most important factor for your career trajectory. Many studios value C++ knowledge, so learning Unreal and C++ could give you an advantage.
For other roles such as a technical designer, level designer, environment artist, a studio will favor candidates who know the engine the studio uses. The good news is that if you take the time to learn one engine, you’ll already have a head start if you need to quickly learn another to ace a job interview. We go into more detail on this, in our How To Get A Job In The Video Game Industry course.
Unity vs Unreal Engine: the main difference
The main difference between Unity and Unreal is the programming language they use natively. Unreal Engine uses C++, but when you build your game with it, you’ll also use one of Unreal’s proprietary languages called Blueprint along with C++. Unity uses C# for both the main Unity editor and any plugins. It also uses its own proprietary languages, Prefab and Bolt.
Unity vs Unreal Engine: summary
Hopefully, we have helped you decide which of these gaming engines will work best for your project. Here is a table that describes the differences in detail:
| Comparison | Unity | Unreal Engine |
| Developer | Unity Technologies | Epic Games |
| Target Audience | Mostly indie and hobby developers | AAA game developers as well as indie developers |
| Ease of use | Unity comes with features that make it easy to use | Unreal Engine has a steeper learning curve |
| Open source | Unity is not open source. | Unreal is open source. |
| Price | The basic version is free, but commercial licenses have a price. | Unreal is free, but commercial game developers must pay a percentage of sales to Unreal. |
| Performance | Does not scale as well as Unreal Engine | Supports distributed execution for more performance |
| 3D support | Unity supports 3D. | Unreal supports 3D. |
| 2D support | Unity supports 2D. | Unreal supports limited 2D. |
| Language support | C#, Prefab, Bolt | C++, Blueprint |
| AI support | Limited AI support | Advanced AI support with behavior trees |
| VR support | Many features for VR | Limited built-in VR features |
| AR support | Many features for AR | Limited built-in AR features |
| Multiplayer support | Integrated multiplayer support is in development and there are third-party plugins available | Has integrated multiplayer support |
| Mobile support | Has powerful mobile features | Not as much support as Unity |
| Graphics features | Decent graphics, though not as good as Unreal, with physically-based rendering, global illumination, post-processing, and optional volumetric lights through a plugin | Advanced graphics with physically-based rendering, global illumination, volumetric lights, post-processing, and a material editor |
| Cross-platform | Windows, MAC, Linux, Android, iOS, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch | Windows, MAC, Linux, Android, iOS, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and Google Stadia |
| Awards for developers | The Unity Awards | The Rookie Awards |
| Famous games | Cuphead, Pillars of Eternity, Fe | Fortnite, Street Fighter 5, Borderlands 3 |
| Reddit Communities | 294k members | 162k members |
| Choose UNITY if you are: | Choose UNREAL if you are: |
|---|---|
| – new to coding | – up for a challenge |
| – making a 2D mobile game | – making a first-person shooter |
| – looking to release across many platforms | – all about the high-quality visuals |
| – after a job in game development, and the studio uses Unity | – after a job in game development, and the studio uses C++ or Unreal |
If you’re interested in exploring ‘Unity vs Unreal’ from a beginner versus advanced developer viewpoint, then check out the video below.
FAQs
Is it better to learn Unity or Unreal? ›
If you are a beginner, Unity 3D is a good choice to learn how to code and create a wide range of games. On the other hand, if you want better and better graphics, Unreal is better suited to your needs.
Which is better for VR Unity or Unreal? ›If you're going to create a mobile VR experience, choose Unity. If you're aiming for the highest quality graphics, choose Unreal.
Can Unity look as good as Unreal? ›“Is it possible to get Unity projects to look as stunning as Unreal Engine's projects?” Yes, you can get very similar visuals out of either engine. Stunning visuals depends on your art and technical art team far more than the engine. Just look at some of the real time cinematics that Unity has produced.
Why is Unity more popular than Unreal? ›unity is easy than unreal and with big community support and easy to start with either javascript or c# and on other hand unreal works on c++ one more reason not every body is good with c++ and c++ is still tough to learn so that's why beginner and indie studios choose unity which makes it more popular than unreal.
Is Unreal Engine harder to learn than Unity? ›Unity uses C# which is fairly similar to C++ but a lot simpler and easier to learn. This making it a great first step to learning how to code. Unreal is full on C++ which is arguably the hardest coding language to learn, but they do also have what they call Blueprints.
Should I learn Unity or Unreal if I know C++? ›You would have easier time in Unity/C#, DESPITE you specializing in C++. That's because Unity has significantly cleaner API, and better documentation. Unreal engine uses what would best called a “dialect” of C++ and has some odd approaches here and there.
Which engine is best for Metaverse? ›This is the most popular type of Metaverse game and involves thousands of real-time users. The Unreal engine is popular for creating these types of games because of its ability to be used on different platforms, including mobile devices.
What is the most popular AR game in the world? ›- Pokemon Go. ...
- Minecraft Earth. ...
- Ingress. ...
- Jurassic World Alive. ...
- Harry Potter Wizards Unite. ...
- Angry Birds AR: Isle of Pigs. ...
- Five Nights of Freddy's AR. ...
- The Walking Dead: Our World.
If it's 2D content you're creating, then Unity is the one for you. It has a simpler user interface and well-developed 2D tools. Unreal can be used for 2D game development, but Epic Games aren't prioritizing this feature set as much as Unity.
What are the limitations of Unity? ›Unity's Asset Store has its limitations
Unity has a huge catalog of user-friendly assets, but quantity doesn't ensure quality. Remarkably, some important assets like game scripts may face problems whenever Unity updates its engine. Furthermore, Unity lacks a bit in supply when it comes to high-polygon 3D assets.
Is Unreal beginner friendly? ›
The Unreal Engine is a free-to-use game design engine that can support 2D and 3D games. It has several features that are useful for beginners, including tutorials hosted by the platform itself and a community of developers who can answer specific questions about the program.
Why do people like Unity? ›When it comes to graphics, Unity is known for its high quality, next-level visual effects. The highly customizable rendering technology that the game engine offers, along with a variety of intuitive tools, facilitate the creation of fantastic looking games.
Can Unity make AAA games? ›Not really. The main problems with Unity are that it doesn't scale well for a very large teams and you don't have the ability to finely manage your memory. Both of those are major roadblocks for AAA game development.
Do people still use Unity? ›Nowadays, it is one of the best game engines in this field. Unity is used to create more than half of all mobile applications, and, for the 1000 most popular applications, its share is 65%.
Do Unity games really pay out? ›Unity processes payments at the end of each month on a net 60 cadence, which means that your outstanding balance is paid in full and received within 60 days of each payment period, so long as your earnings met or exceeded the minimum payout amount.
Can I learn Unreal after Unity? ›No, you can't. Unity has its own project and unreal has its own.
How long does it take to learn Unity engine? ›How Long Does it Take to Learn Unity? It can take around three to six months to master Unity. It could be less if you already have significant programming experience and game development skills. You can speed up the process by learning C# and Javascript before you get started with Unity.
What coding language does Unity use? ›Unity is a native C++-based game engine. You write code in C#, JavaScript (UnityScript) or, less frequently, Boo.
What language should I learn before Unity? ›According to its official documentation, C# is the only language that Unity supports natively. For anyone just starting out with Unity, or anyone with previous knowledge of object-oriented programming, C# is the best Unity programming language to begin with.
How long does it take to master C#? ›It will take you about two to three months to learn the basics of C#, assuming you devote an hour or so a day to learning. You may learn C# quicker if you study part-time or full-time.
Should I know coding for Unity? ›
Adventure Creator is the asset you need if you're into making 2D, 2.5D or 3D games in Unity, no coding required. Its visual scripting system and intuitive Editor enables beginners to build an entire game without writing a line of code, and helps programmers plug-and-play their own functionality.
Which engine is best for virtual world? ›The Unreal Engine is one such tool that can create both photo-realistic and fantasy environments. If you're looking for a tool to build a virtual world, the Unreal Engine is an excellent option for you!
Which is better for metaverse development Unity or Unreal Engine? ›This technology is a pioneer in visual scripting, so some developers who lack some knowledge of C++ programming can master it to work with gameplay elements. High-end graphics. Unlike Unity, which offers decent yet not top-notch visuals, Unreal is the very best engine when it comes to the appearance of your metaverse.
What engine do most VR games use? ›- Unity.
- Unreal Engine.
- 3ds Max Design.
- Maya.
- Amazon Lumberyard.
- CryEngine.
The best-selling video game to date is Minecraft, a sandbox game released by Mojang in May 2009 for a wide range of PC, mobile and console platforms, selling more than 238 million copies across all platforms.
What is the #1 video game in the world? ›Grand Theft Auto 5 is the best-selling console/PC-only game of all time (the top two entries on this list have mobile versions, too). Sales of Rockstar's most ambitious GTA yet have surpassed 170 million units as of September 30, 2022.
Can Unity compete with UE5? ›Unreal engine 5 vs Unity
A side-by-side comparison of graphical fidelity between the two engines. Both can achieve stunning visuals, however, Unity takes much more refinement to achieve the same visual results. Something to consider when comparing UE5 and Unity is the cost, which we haven't touched on yet.
- Unity is actively and caringly developed and updated.
- The asset store is a huge help.
- There are a lot of learning resources.
- It is one of the best engines for mobile development currently.
The ease with which players play 2D games makes them suitable for beginners, bringing more audience. Also, game developers find it easier to develop 2D games than 3D. Due to the lower level of complexity, game developers invest less time and money to create 2D games, and following updates are easier to do.
Is Unity developing hard? ›Is Unity easy to learn? If you already know how to program, learning Unity should not be too difficult. However, learning Unity may be much more complicated if you are new to programming. Keep in mind that you need to be able to code in C# to use Unity effectively.
Does Unity use a lot of RAM? ›
Not much. A computer with i3 , 2gb ram without a graphic card will do fine for a 2D android game.
Is Unity free forever? ›However, Unity isn't, technically, a free program, it's a paid program, with a free plan. Unlike tools and software that are provided on a truly free, open-source basis, Unity is, instead, licensed to you via the Unity Personal plan.
Do I need to know C++ for Unreal Engine? ›Some basic knowledge of C++ is required, but it is not necessary to be an expert. If you are comfortable with the language, then learning more about Unreal Engine will only help you create better programs. A game programmer is not limited to working with Unreal Engine.
Can you learn Unreal without coding? ›No coding is necessary. Unreal Engine also supports writing logic using C++, but I recommend you start with the Blueprint system. Some of the benefits of Blueprints: Generally, it is quicker to develop using Blueprints than C++.
What is the best 3D game engine for beginners? ›For those new to game development, Phaser is the best game engine for beginners to learn quickly due to its friendly learning curve. Phaser is one of the top game engines for creating amazing 2D and 3D browser-based games without spending too much money.
Is Unity still good 2023? ›Unity game engine is already classic. It has ruled the world of game development for a decade and even more. Unity's merits are almost uncountable. Due to statistics, in 2021, Unity covered 50% of all mobile games market, and it is one of the most popular game engines for Steam games.
Are Unity developers in demand? ›Yes, unity devs are in high demand due to the popularity of the Unity engine. According to a survey by Game Developer Magazine, Unity is the most popular game engine among developers. This popularity is likely due to the engine's ease of use, wide range of features, and ability to target a variety of platforms.
What are the disadvantages of Unity game engine? ›- Its tools for graphics are average. ...
- Its built-in support for PhysX lacks major functions. ...
- Its best features need expensive licenses. ...
- Its source code is inaccessible. ...
- Unity consumes more memory.
From casual games, like Untitled Goose Game, to hardcore games, like Cuphead, Unity game programming is powerful enough to make games of all types. From niche 2d games, like Ori and the Will of the Wisps, to massively popular party games, like Fall Guys, Unity can make games for all types of players, too.
Can you make AR with Unity? ›AR Foundation
A framework purpose-built for AR development allows you to develop your app once, then deploy it across multiple mobile and wearable AR devices. It includes core features from each platform, as well as unique Unity features that include photorealistic rendering, physics, device optimizations, and more.
What companies use Unity? ›
- Jacobs Dallas, Texas.
- Partners Data Systems La Mesa, CA.
- Amtrak Washington, District Of Columbia.
- Ubisoft Singapore,
- Amazon Seattle, Washington.
- FireEye Milpitas, California.
- J.P. Morgan Technology Glasgow, Scotland.
- Age Of Learning, Inc. / Abcmouse.Com Glendale, California.
If you're a beginner looking to learn how to code and create a wide range of games – go with Unity. If you're not interested in coding and want better graphical performance – go with Unreal.
Does NASA use Unity? ›Unity is one game engine that has been working with aerospace giants like NASA for a variety of use cases. WorkLink, a mixed reality platform built on Unity and developed by Scope AR, is used by Lockheed Martin technicians to enhance efficiency when building the Orion spacecraft for NASA's Artemis space program.
Is Facebook using Unity? ›The Facebook SDK for Unity provides a comprehensive collection of Facebook's social features, giving players of your Unity game the ability to share content with their friends and allowing you to create a personal, social gaming experience.
Can you get a job knowing Unity? ›There are job openings for mobile Unity developers, VR/AR Unity game developers, and developers for any other major platform of 20+ supported by Unity, from desktop to consoles and web.
How much does it cost to publish a game with Unity? ›The price usually starts from $20,000 with basic features and technologies for Unity 3D game development. With adding more features and functionality the price is bound to increase. Mostly the cost is calculated by the investment of professionals and their time on the project.
Is Unity losing money? ›Unity Software has seen tremendous stock devaluation since 2021 as investors flee from unprofitable high-valuation companies. Despite Unity's losses, the company continues to pay immense sums in stock-based compensation, diluting equity investors at an accelerating pace.
Is Unreal good for beginners? ›Is Unreal Engine good for beginners? Unreal Engine is great for beginners, but it is also powerful enough for experienced developers. If you are familiar with other platforms, such as Unity or Unreal Engine 4, you will be able to jump right in and start creating video games using Unreal Engine C++.
How long does it take to learn Unity? ›Microgames: Learn the Basics of Unity: This free, beginner-level Unity course takes about 20 hours. Students receive step-by-step instructions to build their first microgames in Unity. This is one of over 35 free courses offered on Unity's website.
What is the most realistic game engine? ›What Is The Best Game Engine In 2023? Although there are many game engines out there, one of the best game engines out there is Unreal Engine – a multi-platform engine designed for all business sizes to transform ideas into visual content.
What is the most successful game engine? ›
Unreal Engine and Unity are considered to be two of the best game engines. Based on games released on Steam and Itch.io, Unreal and Unity are among the most popular game engines. Unreal Engine is commonly used because it is: An open and advanced real-time 3D creation platform.
What is the easiest 3D game engine to use? ›- Armory. Armory is a free, open-source game design engine that can combine with other tools to create two-dimensional and three-dimensional games. ...
- Buildbox. ...
- Construct 2. ...
- Corona. ...
- CryEngine. ...
- Defold. ...
- GameMaker 2. ...
- GameSalad.
One of the key benefits of using Unreal Engine is that you don't need to know any code. Sure, it might help you achieve a more polished final product, but there are hundreds of quality games out there that were made by folks without a line of code to their name.
Does Unity require coding? ›Adventure Creator is the asset you need if you're into making 2D, 2.5D or 3D games in Unity, no coding required. Its visual scripting system and intuitive Editor enables beginners to build an entire game without writing a line of code, and helps programmers plug-and-play their own functionality.
How many days does it take to learn Unreal Engine? ›That depends. If you want to build a short game, about 3 - 6 months. If you want to build a large scale video game, 1 - 2 years. You need to learn about the core of a lot of things if you are going for the latter and that's the real reason it takes so long.
Can you sell games made with Unity? ›You can absolutely sell commercial games made in the Personal Edition of Unity. To do this, you must meet the requirements to use Unity Personal Edition. This is that you did not earn or receive more than $100,000 in revenue or funding in the most recent 12-month period.