Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

SFML VS BYOND

Compare SFML VS BYOND and see what are their differences

SFML logo SFML

SFML provides a simple interface to the various components of your PC, to ease the development of games and multimedia applications. It is composed of five modules: system, window, graphics, audio and network.

BYOND logo BYOND

BYOND is the premier community for making and playing online multiplayer games.
  • SFML Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-29
  • BYOND Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-30

SFML features and specs

  • User-Friendly API
    SFML provides a simple and intuitive API which makes it easier for developers to learn and use, especially for beginners who are new to graphics programming.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    SFML supports multiple operating systems including Windows, Linux, and macOS, allowing developers to create cross-platform applications with minimal code changes.
  • Module-Based
    It offers different modules for handling various system aspects like graphics, window, audio, and networking. This modularity helps in organizing code better and using only what is needed.
  • Hardware Acceleration
    SFML provides hardware-accelerated graphics, making it efficient and fast for rendering, which is critical for real-time applications like games.
  • Community and Documentation
    SFML has an active community and offers comprehensive documentation, tutorials, and a supportive forum which are invaluable for development and troubleshooting.

Possible disadvantages of SFML

  • Limited 3D Support
    SFML is primarily designed for 2D graphics, and it doesnโ€™t have native support for 3D graphics, which can be limiting for developers looking to create 3D games.
  • Less Popularity
    Compared to other game development libraries and frameworks like Unity or Unreal Engine, SFML is less popular, which means fewer third-party resources and plugins.
  • Manual Memory Management
    SFML does not handle memory management for you, requiring developers to be cautious with resource management to avoid memory leaks.
  • Limited Advanced Features
    While SFML covers basic game development needs, it may lack advanced features and tools provided by more extensive engines, leading developers to implement more functionalities manually.
  • Smaller Ecosystem
    The ecosystem around SFML is smaller compared to more mature game engines, which leads to fewer tutorials, plugins, and reusable assets available for developers.

BYOND features and specs

  • Community and Collaboration
    BYOND has a strong community of developers and players which encourages collaboration and sharing of resources, ideas, and feedback.
  • Ease of Use
    The platform provides a relatively easy-to-use development environment with its proprietary programming language, DM (Dream Maker), making it accessible to beginners.
  • Multiplayer Support
    Built-in multiplayer support simplifies the process of developing networked multiplayer games, which is often a complex task in game development.
  • Resource Library
    BYOND offers an extensive library of resources, including tutorials, assets, and code snippets that can accelerate the game development process.
  • Free to Use
    The platform is free to download and use, lowering the barrier to entry for aspiring game developers.

Possible disadvantages of BYOND

  • Limited Graphics Capabilities
    The graphics capabilities are relatively outdated compared to modern game engines, which can limit the visual appeal of games developed on the platform.
  • Proprietary Language
    The use of the proprietary programming language, DM, may be a barrier for developers familiar with more widely-used languages like C++ or JavaScript.
  • Performance Issues
    Performance may degrade with more complex or graphically intensive games, making BYOND less suitable for high-performance game projects.
  • Platform Dependency
    BYOND games typically need to be played through the BYOND client, which can limit the reach and accessibility compared to standalone game executables.
  • Niche User Base
    The user base, while supportive, is relatively small and niche compared to larger game development communities, which can limit exposure and potential player base.

SFML videos

Coding a Simple SFML Game Framework in C++/ SFML

More videos:

  • Review - A Closer Look at SFML
  • Review - ALLEGRO vs. SDL vs. SFML (Game Programming Q&A)

BYOND videos

My History with BYOND

More videos:

  • Review - Byond B63 unboxing and review - dual core handset

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to SFML and BYOND)
Game Engine
39 39%
61% 61
Game Development
31 31%
69% 69
3D Game Engine
45 45%
55% 55
Tool
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using SFML and BYOND. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Social recommendations and mentions

BYOND might be a bit more popular than SFML. We know about 1 link to it since March 2021 and only 1 link to SFML. 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.

SFML mentions (1)

  • Open source recreation of the PS Vita game -- Calling all creators
    I would like to recreate the Plastic Memories PS Vita game as a free, open source, cross-platform (any platform SFML runs on*) game for everyone to enjoy. I'm not sure how much time I'll be able to put into it (I don't have much time between school and various other projects of mine) but I can handle the code, coordination, and source code hosting. Source: almost 4 years ago

BYOND mentions (1)

  • "I have a great idea"
    I fell for this when I was a kid on Byond. The idea guy thought he was J. R. R. Tolkien. My sprite artist friend joined me. He was vague about what he wanted and even though we had been making everything he asked of us he brought another coder in, a couple years younger than me, I was a teen and he was 13. When he was given my code he called me boring and started throwing together some stuff. He ended up writing... Source: over 4 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing SFML and BYOND, you can also consider the following products

raylib - Cross-platform, open-source game development library in C.

ct.js - ct.js is a 2D game editor (desktop app) based on web technologies.

Allegro - Allegro 4 and Allegro 5 are cross-platform, libraries mainly aimed at video game and multimedia...

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

RPG Maker - Make your own PC game with RPG Maker. Our easy to use tools are simple enough for a child, and powerful enough for a developer. Try it free today!

Vulkan - Vulkan is a new generation graphics and compute API that provides high-efficiency, cross-platform access to modern GPUs used in a wide variety of devices from PCs and consoles to mobile phones and embedded platforms.