Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

melonJS VS Crafty.js

Compare melonJS VS Crafty.js and see what are their differences

melonJS logo melonJS

melonJS is an open source HTML5 game engine that empowers developers and designers to focus on...

Crafty.js logo Crafty.js

Crafty is a JavaScript game library that can help you create games in a structured way…
  • melonJS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-01-30
  • Crafty.js Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-12-20

melonJS features and specs

  • Lightweight
    melonJS is known for being lightweight, which makes it ideal for simple games and faster loading times. It eliminates the bloat commonly found in more extensive game engines, ensuring better performance in resource-limited environments.
  • 2D Game Focus
    The engine is designed specifically for 2D games, providing tailored features and optimizations that help developers create efficient 2D applications without the unnecessary complications of a 3D engine.
  • HTML5 Compatibility
    melonJS is an HTML5 game engine that runs smoothly in modern browsers without needing plugins. This makes it an excellent choice for web-based games and applications.
  • Open Source
    Being open-source, melonJS provides developers the opportunity to contribute to the engine’s development or modify it based on their needs, promoting community engagement and flexibility.
  • Community Support
    The engine has an active community that shares resources, tutorials, and support, making it easier for new users to learn and work with melonJS.

Possible disadvantages of melonJS

  • Limited 3D Support
    As a 2D-focused engine, melonJS has minimal to no support for 3D graphics and features, which can be a limitation for developers looking to expand into the third dimension.
  • Smaller Feature Set
    Compared to larger engines like Unity or Unreal, melonJS offers a more limited set of features and tools, which might impede highly complex game development.
  • Steeper Learning Curve for Beginners
    Some users might find melonJS's structure and setup challenging if they are accustomed to more visual scripting environments, as a solid understanding of JavaScript is required.
  • Less Extensive Documentation
    While there is documentation available, it may not be as exhaustive or detailed as that of more popular game engines, potentially making it harder to find answers for specific issues.
  • Lower Popularity
    melonJS is not as widely known or used as some other game engines, which can limit the availability of third-party plugins and assets tailored specifically for this engine.

Crafty.js features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    Crafty.js provides a simple and intuitive API that is beginner-friendly. It allows developers to create games with less complexity, making it an excellent choice for those new to game development.
  • Component-Based Architecture
    Crafty.js uses a component-based system, which encourages reusability and modular design. Developers can easily create and manage game elements through components, leading to cleaner and more organized code.
  • Lightweight
    The library is relatively small and lightweight, making it fast to load and suitable for web-based games. This can lead to better performance, particularly on low-end devices or slower networks.
  • Active Community
    Crafty.js has a supportive community that contributes to its development. There are numerous tutorials, documentation, and forums available to help developers troubleshoot and learn.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    Crafty.js is designed for web applications and works across all modern browsers, providing developers with the ability to reach a wide audience without worrying about compatibility issues.

Possible disadvantages of Crafty.js

  • Limited Advanced Features
    While Crafty.js is great for simple 2D games, it lacks some of the advanced features found in more robust game engines. This can be a limitation for developers looking to create more complex games with 3D graphics or advanced physics.
  • Smaller Ecosystem
    Compared to larger game development frameworks, Crafty.js has a smaller ecosystem with fewer third-party plugins and tools, which may limit expansion or integration options for developers seeking more specialized features.
  • Performance Constraints
    As a JavaScript-based engine running in the browser, Crafty.js may face performance challenges with very resource-intensive games. This can lead to slower execution in larger or highly detailed game environments.
  • Less Frequent Updates
    Crafty.js’s development updates are less frequent compared to some major game engines, potentially leading to slower adoption of the latest web technologies and bug fixes.

melonJS videos

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Crafty.js videos

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to melonJS and Crafty.js)
Game Development
52 52%
48% 48
Game Engine
46 46%
54% 54
Javascript UI Libraries
100 100%
0% 0
3D Game Engine
43 43%
57% 57

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, melonJS seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 1 time since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

melonJS mentions (1)

Crafty.js mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Crafty.js yet. Tracking of Crafty.js recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing melonJS and Crafty.js, you can also consider the following products

Phaser - Desktop and Mobile HTML5 game framework. A fast, free and fun open source framework for Canvas and WebGL powered browser games.

MonoGame - MonoGame is an open source implementation of the Microsoft XNA 4 Framework.

PixiJS - Fast and flexible WebGL-based HTML5 game and app development library.

Godot Engine - Feature-packed 2D and 3D open source game engine.

Construct 2 - Scirra Construct is a 2D game development engine with a focus on building games visually.

Babylon.js - A complete JavaScript framework for building 3D games with HTML5, WebGL and Web Audio