GtkRadiant
GtkRadiant is a free, open-source level editor and toolchain for games powered by id Tech engines.
What GtkRadiant is
GtkRadiant is a free, open-source level editor and toolchain for games powered by id Tech engines. It includes map compilers, data authoring tools, and Q3Map2, along with tools for 3D level design, terrain, and entity placement. The GtkRadiant 1.6 page lists support for games including Quake III Arena, QuakeLive, Urban Terror, Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory, Quake2, Quetoo, Return to Castle Wolfenstein, Jedi Academy, and others. Support can depend on an active developer testing and fixing issues, and some games may only work with older versions or third-party forks. GtkRadiant reads and writes assets from a game's directory, so the project recommends installing the game first. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows. The Linux version is distributed as a Flatpak through Flathub; the Mac version requires XQuartz, MacPorts, and additional dependencies. Volunteers maintain the GPL-licensed project, which is provided as-is without warranty or support. Listed help options include forums, IRC, tutorial sites, and a GitHub issue tracker. Developers can access the source on GitHub, make changes, and submit pull requests.
Good
- Free and GPL-licensed.
- Runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
- Includes map compilers, data authoring tools, and Q3Map2.
- Supports 3D level design, terrain, and entity placement.
- Source is available on GitHub for contributions.
Watch out
- Provided as-is without warranty or support.
- Some game support depends on active developers.
- Mac version requires XQuartz, MacPorts, and additional dependencies.
- Flathub marks it unverified and potentially unsafe.
Who it suits
GtkRadiant suits commercial developers and individual modders creating levels for supported id Tech games. Users should check the game support details and platform requirements before choosing it.
Verdict
GtkRadiant provides a free toolchain for level creation across several id Tech games and desktop platforms. Its as-is status, game-specific support limits, and Mac dependencies are important considerations.
Plans and prices
From GtkRadiant's own pricing page, checked 15 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| GtkRadiant | Free | Desktop level editor · GPL software · community support · id Tech-focused |
The facts
Each one read from GtkRadiant's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Build system
- The source builds with SCons and supports separate radiant, q3map2 and q3data targets.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Developer workflow
- Developers can submit pull requests, use the issue tracker and consult the wiki in the public GitHub repository.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Development
- The source is on GitHub, where developers can fork the project, make changes, and submit pull requests.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Development builds
- Development builds are described as experimental and potentially buggy.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Documentation depth
- Official documentation combines dated QeRadiant manuals with newer Windows and Mac compile guides and Q3Map2 manuals.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Extensibility
- The project encourages teams to fork and modify the GitHub source for advanced needs that the main release does not cover.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Flathub trust status
- Flathub marks the package unverified, medium risk and support unknown; it is community-provided and not affiliated with or supported by Timothee Besset.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Game assets
- GtkRadiant reads and writes game assets from the game's directory, and the project recommends installing the game before installing GtkRadiant.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Gamepacks
- Gamepacks provide game SDK files, and multiple packs can be installed and selected through project settings.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Game support
- The GtkRadiant 1.6 page lists support for QuakeLive, Quake III Arena, Urban Terror, Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory, Quake, Quake2: Remastered, Quake2, Quetoo, Return to Castle Wolfenstein, Star Trek Voyager: Elite Force, and Jedi Academy.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Game support limits
- GtkRadiant 1.6 game support depends on an active developer to test and fix issues, and some games may only be supported by older versions or third-party forks.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Graphics toolkit
- GtkRadiant is built with the GTK+ toolkit.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The project describes its audience as commercial developers and individual modders making levels for supported id Tech games.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Level construction
- The repository describes an editor that includes map compilers and data-authoring tools.checked 15 Oct 2026
- License
- The source is protected by GNU GPL version 2 and is copyrighted by id Software and contributors.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: 2D editing
- A Splash Damage forum complaint describes edge-selection and 2D drawing glitches.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: model rendering and crashes
- A GitHub issue reports ASE models missing from 3D view, q3map2 output mismatches, missing bspc.exe and camera-plugin crashes across releases.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: texture bugs
- Software Informer’s review reports texture bugs in windowed mode.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: vertex editing
- A JKHub mapper reported that the 1.6 vertex tool frequently damaged brushes and created invalid geometry.checked 15 Oct 2026
The company
- Company facts
- LinkedIn lists id Software as a privately held Richardson, Texas computer-games company founded in 1991 with 51–200 employees.checked 15 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Cross-platform support
- The official site lists Windows, Mac and Linux support.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: Windows saved-map crashes
- A JKHub discussion reports GtkRadiant 1.4 crashing when opening saved maps on Windows 10 and notes a broken native save dialog on newer Windows versions.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Linux build limitation
- The README says Arch Linux is the only local Linux setup likely to work and leaves Ubuntu and Fedora users on their own.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Linux distribution
- The official installation guide distributes Linux GtkRadiant as a Flatpak and recommends the Flatpak SDK for development.checked 15 Oct 2026
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