head to head · open source
GDevelop vs libgdx
GDevelop has 28,411 GitHub stars, 1,644 forks, 633 open issues and last shipped yesterday. libgdx has 25,507 stars, 6,522 forks, 337 open issues and last shipped 2 days ago. GDevelop leads on adoption by 11% (28,411 vs 25,507 stars). GDevelop is written in JavaScript under a custom or non-standard licence; libgdx is written in Java under Apache-2.0. GDevelop has attracted 6% as many forks as stars, libgdx 26%. GDevelop was the more recently maintained of the two, and both are self-hostable with no licence fee. The two share 5 topic tags (3d, game, game-development, game-engine), so they are genuine substitutes rather than adjacent tools.
Two open source projects, one decision. Both are free and self-hostable — the differences are community size, license terms, language stack and release pace.
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Side by side
| GDevelop | libgdx | |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub stars | ★ 28K | ★ 26K |
| License | Custom / other | Apache-2.0 |
| Written in | JavaScript | Java |
| Last push | 2026-11-04 | 2026-11-03 |
| Forks | ⑂ 1.6K | ⑂ 6.5K |
| Self-hosting | Yes | Yes |
| Data ownership | Your server | Your server |
pick GDevelop if
- You weight community size — 28K stars and counting
- You want the Custom / other license terms
- Your stack matches JavaScript
- You value the larger contributor base for long-term maintenance
pick libgdx if
- You want the libgdx feature set and don't need the biggest community
- You prefer the Apache-2.0 license terms
- Your stack matches Java
- You evaluated both and libgdx fits your workflow better
About GDevelop
GDevelop is a full featured, no code, open source game development software. You can build 2D, 3D and multiplayer games for mobile (iOS, Android), desktop and the web. GDevelop is designed to be fast and incredibly intuitive: make games using an easy to understand yet powerful event based system and modular behaviors. Create with AI that assists or builds alongside you. Getting started Are you interested in contributing to GDevelop for the first time? Take a look at the list of good first issues , good first contributions or the "🏐 not too hard" cards on the Roadmap. Games made with GDevelop Find GDevelop games…
read the full GDevelop overview →
About libgdx
Cross platform Game Development Framework libGDX is a cross platform Java game development framework based on OpenGL (ES), designed for Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, web browsers, and iOS. It provides a robust and well established environment for rapid prototyping and iterative development. Unlike other frameworks, libGDX does not impose a specific design or coding style, allowing you the freedom to create games according to your preferences. Open Source, Feature Packed, and Fostering a Large Third Party Ecosystem libGDX is released under the Apache 2.0 License, offering unrestricted usage in both commercial…
read the full libgdx overview →
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Frequently asked questions
Is GDevelop or libgdx more popular?
GDevelop has 28,411 GitHub stars and libgdx has 25,507. GDevelop has the larger community by that measure.
Are GDevelop and libgdx free?
Both are open source. GDevelop has no licence declared in this registry, and libgdx is licensed under Apache-2.0. Both are free to self-host.
What is the difference between GDevelop and libgdx?
GDevelop is written in JavaScript and libgdx in Java. The practical differences are community size, licence terms, language stack and release cadence — all compared in the table above.
Which should I choose, GDevelop or libgdx?
Choose GDevelop if you want the larger community (28,411 stars) or its Custom / other licence terms. Choose libgdx if its feature set, stack or Apache-2.0 licence fits better. Both are self-hostable.