Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Unreal Engine VS WebGL

Compare Unreal Engine VS WebGL 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.

WebGL logo WebGL

WebGL is a JavaScript API for rendering interactive 3D computer graphics and 2D graphics within any compatible web browser.
  • Unreal Engine Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-23
  • WebGL Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-20

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.

WebGL features and specs

  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    WebGL is supported by all major web browsers, enabling applications to run across different devices and operating systems without needing additional plugins.
  • Hardware Acceleration
    WebGL leverages the GPU for rendering graphics, which provides improved performance compared to software rendering techniques.
  • Rich Graphics
    WebGL allows developers to create complex 3D graphics and visual effects directly within the browser, enhancing user experiences with immersive content.
  • Community and Resources
    With a strong and active community, WebGL offers a wealth of libraries, tools, and tutorials that assist developers in creating WebGL-based applications.
  • No Plugins Required
    WebGL runs natively in the browser, eliminating the need for users to install additional software, thus simplifying the deployment of interactive graphics applications.

Possible disadvantages of WebGL

  • Complexity
    Developing applications with WebGL can be challenging due to its low-level nature, requiring a strong understanding of graphics programming and shader creation.
  • Device Compatibility
    Although widely supported, some older devices or graphics cards may not fully support all WebGL features or may have performance issues.
  • Security Concerns
    WebGL has faced scrutiny over potential security vulnerabilities, as it can be used to access and manipulate the GPU directly from the web.
  • Performance Variability
    Performance of WebGL applications can vary significantly depending on the user's hardware and browser environment, making consistent performance across platforms a challenge.
  • Debugging Difficulty
    Debugging WebGL applications can be cumbersome due to the complexity of shaders and the difficulty in diagnosing rendering issues.

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

WebGL videos

WebGL + GPU = Amazing Results!

More videos:

  • Review - pearl boy webgl review
  • Review - Visualizations using SVG, Canvas, and WebGL in Vue with Chris Fritz

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Unreal Engine and WebGL)
Game Development
96 96%
4% 4
Game Engine
95 95%
5% 5
3D Game Engine
95 95%
5% 5
3D
100 100%
0% 0

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 WebGL

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)...

WebGL Reviews

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

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

Unity - The multiplatform game creation tools for everyone.

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.

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

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

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

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