Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Unreal Engine VS FMOD

Compare Unreal Engine VS FMOD and see what are their differences

Unreal Engine logo Unreal Engine

Unreal Engine 4 is a suite of integrated tools for game developers to design and build games, simulations, and visualizations.

FMOD logo FMOD

FMOD Studio is an audio middleware solution and engine for games.
  • Unreal Engine Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-23
  • FMOD Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-16

Unreal Engine features and specs

  • High-Quality Graphics
    Unreal Engine is known for its ability to produce stunning, high-quality graphics and realistic environments, making it a preferred choice for AAA game development and high-fidelity visual projects.
  • Blueprint Visual Scripting
    Unreal Engine offers a visual scripting system called Blueprints, which allows designers to create complex game logic without any programming knowledge, streamlining the development process.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    Unreal Engine provides robust support for multiple platforms, including PC, consoles, mobile devices, and VR/AR headsets, enabling developers to reach a wider audience with minimal hassle.
  • Large and Active Community
    The Unreal Engine community is large and active, offering extensive resources, tutorials, and forums which can be invaluable for troubleshooting and learning new techniques.
  • Regular Updates
    Epic Games frequently updates Unreal Engine, adding new features, improvements, and optimizations to keep developers equipped with the latest technology advancements.
  • Marketplace
    The Unreal Engine Marketplace offers a vast array of assets, ranging from 3D models to plugins, which can significantly speed up the development process by providing ready-to-use resources.

Possible disadvantages of Unreal Engine

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Due to its extensive features and capabilities, Unreal Engine can be challenging for beginners to master, requiring a significant investment of time and effort to learn.
  • High System Requirements
    Developing with Unreal Engine often requires a powerful computer with strong hardware specifications, which can be a barrier for developers with limited resources.
  • Large File Sizes
    Unreal Engine projects can result in large file sizes, which can be cumbersome to manage, particularly in terms of storage and transfer bandwidth.
  • Complexity for Simple Projects
    For smaller or simpler projects, the capabilities of Unreal Engine might be overkill, and using it can unnecessarily complicate development when compared to lighter engines.
  • Royalty Fees
    Unreal Engine imposes a royalty fee of 5% on gross revenue after the first $1 million USD per product per year, which can impact the profitability of commercial projects.
  • Less C++ Flexibility
    While Unreal Engine supports C++, the engine imposes certain constraints and abstractions that can limit the flexibility developers might need for highly customized or optimized code.

FMOD features and specs

  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    FMOD supports a wide range of platforms including PC, mobile devices, consoles, and virtual reality. This allows developers to use a single audio solution for multiple platforms without needing to switch tools.
  • Real-time Mixing and Effects
    FMOD provides real-time audio mixing and effects that allow developers to dynamically change sound properties like volume, pitch, and effects during gameplay, enhancing the player's experience.
  • Comprehensive Feature Set
    FMOD offers a comprehensive set of features such as multi-channel and surround sound support, 3D audio, and a variety of built-in DSP effects, making it suitable for both simple and complex audio projects.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    FMOD Studio offers an intuitive user interface which allows sound designers and developers to interact with the audio project visually, making the workflow more efficient and accessible.
  • Wide Adoption and Integration
    FMOD is widely adopted in the gaming industry and easily integrates with popular game engines like Unity and Unreal Engine, which simplifies the process for developers using these platforms.

Possible disadvantages of FMOD

  • Learning Curve
    While FMOD offers a robust set of features, new users may find the learning curve steep, especially if they are not familiar with audio design concepts or the specific workflows FMOD requires.
  • Resource Intensive
    Depending on the complexity and number of audio assets used, FMOD can be resource-intensive, potentially affecting performance, particularly on lower-end devices or with less optimized projects.
  • Cost for Commercial Use
    FMOD charges for commercial licenses based on project revenue or size, which may not be feasible for small developers or indie projects with limited budgets.
  • Complexity for Simple Projects
    For small-scale projects or those requiring simple audio solutions, FMOD might be overkill due to its robust capabilities, leading to potentially unnecessary complexity.
  • Dependency on Updates
    FMOD relies on regular updates to maintain compatibility with the latest software and hardware. If updates are delayed or not implemented, it might cause integration issues in constantly evolving environments.

Unreal Engine videos

Why I switched over to Unreal Engine 4 From Unity 5

More videos:

  • Review - Unity vs Unreal Engine | Graphics, Workflow, Price, Level Design and More! (2017-2018)
  • Review - Game Development | Intro to Unreal Engine 4 | No Prior Programming Knowledge

FMOD videos

FMOD Studio: Overview & Introduction

More videos:

  • Tutorial - Audio for Games - How to Create Adaptive Character Sounds (FMOD/Unity)
  • Review - FMOD vs Wwise (Part 1) | Introduction

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Unreal Engine and FMOD)
Game Development
96 96%
4% 4
Game Engine
96 96%
4% 4
3D Game Engine
98 98%
2% 2
Development Tools
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Unreal Engine and FMOD

Unreal Engine Reviews

Top 13 Picks for Maxon Cinema 4D Alternatives in 2024
Designed by Epic Games, Unreal Engine is a comprehensive 3D graphics engine initially developed for PC gaming. Since its inception in 1998, it supports a wide array of platforms, including mobile, console, and VR. It is known for its versatility and power in a broad spectrum of industries like film and television.
Source: aircada.com
Game Engines: A Comparative Analysis
Developed by Epic Games, Unreal Engine stands as a titan in the industry, renowned for its stunning graphics and realistic visual effects. It excels in AAA game development, with a powerful rendering engine and an intuitive visual scripting system called Blueprints. Unreal Engine’s prowess lies in its ability to deliver top-notch graphics and cinematic experiences.
Source: medium.com
Best Unity alternatives for game development
Unreal Engine has become one of the most popular engines to date; it's one of the top-of-the-line gaming engines that produces high graphical fidelity and realism for many games. In fact, many mobile games (Injustice 2, Life is Strange) that look incredible are likely using the Unreal Engine. It's a number one choice that often goes head-to-head with Unity due to its great...
Best Game Engines for 2023 – Which Should You Use?
However, many game developers do report that Unreal Engine is better suited for larger projects and projects you intend to work on as a team. Additionally, as the program is heavy on the graphics end, many people will find it requires a more powerful computer compared to other engines like Unity. Beyond this, it is also noteworthy that while Unreal Engine can create 2D games...
The Best Gaming Engines You Should Consider for 2023
2022 saw the official launch of Unreal Engine 5, and it’s already shaping up to be a game changer for game development. Most next-gen consoles, including PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X are already using it, and its powerful tools such as Lumen and Nanite (an engine that imports high-detailed photographic source material – taking advantage of its past acquisition of Quixel)...

FMOD Reviews

We have no reviews of FMOD yet.
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Unreal Engine and FMOD, you can also consider the following products

Unity - The multiplatform game creation tools for everyone.

Wwise - Game audio engine, designed to give artists more control and save programmers' time.

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

OpenAL - OpenAL is a cross-platform 3D audio API appropriate for use with gaming applications and many other...

Blender - Blender is the open source, cross platform suite of tools for 3D creation.

GDevelop - GDevelop is an open-source game making software designed to be used by everyone.