PlayCanvas
PlayCanvas is a web-based engine and platform for building 2D and 3D browser experiences.
What PlayCanvas is
PlayCanvas is a web-based engine and platform for building 2D and 3D browser experiences. It supports WebGL2 and WebGPU, including compute shaders, and includes WebXR with integrations for 8th Wall and Zappar. Listed targets include browsers, mobile devices, and VR headsets. Teams and individuals can work visually, through npm, with React, or with HTML Web Components, using JavaScript. The platform also has tools for editing, optimizing, and rendering 3D Gaussian Splats. Its use cases include browser games, browser-based casino games, and collaborative education in browsers. PlayCanvas is open sourced under the MIT license, and its free tier provides full access to the Engine, unlimited public projects, app hosting, and 1GB of storage. Personal costs $15 a month and includes unlimited private projects and 10GB of storage; Organization costs $50 a month, with unlimited private projects, team management, and 50GB of storage. Private projects lock if a subscription is canceled, but published apps are unaffected. The maker is based in London and was founded in 2011.
Good
- Free tier provides full Engine access
- Unlimited public projects on free accounts
- Supports WebGL2, WebGPU, and WebXR
- Open sourced under the MIT license
- Organization plan includes team management
Watch out
- Free accounts include 1GB of storage
- Private projects lock after subscription cancellation
- Personal plan costs $15 a month
Who it suits
PlayCanvas suits developers creating browser-based 2D or 3D experiences, including games and collaborative education. Its visual, npm, React, and Web Components workflows offer options for individuals and teams.
Verdict
PlayCanvas combines a browser-focused engine with multiple development workflows and a free tier that includes full Engine access. Consider the storage limit on free accounts and the effect of cancellation on private projects when choosing a plan.
Plans and prices
From PlayCanvas's own pricing page, checked 27 Sep 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Unlimited public projects, public teammates, free app hosting, and 1GB storage. · 1GB storage · Unlimited public projects · billed monthly |
| Personal | $15 a month | Designed for individuals; includes unlimited private projects and 10GB storage. · 10GB storage · Unlimited private projects · Payment automatically taken monthly |
| Organization | $50 a month | Designed for businesses; includes unlimited private projects and team management. · 50GB storage · Unlimited private projects · Payment automatically taken monthly |
The facts
Each one read from PlayCanvas's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- AR Integrations
- WebXR support is built in, with integrations for 8th Wall and Zappar.checked 27 Sep 2026
- Auto Renewal
- Personal and Organization subscriptions automatically renew monthly.checked 27 Sep 2026
- Editor Workflows
- Users can work visually, through npm, with React, or with HTML Web Components.checked 27 Sep 2026
- Gaussian Splatting
- The platform includes editing, optimization, and rendering tools for 3D Gaussian Splats.checked 27 Sep 2026
- Minimum Subscription
- The minimum subscription term is one month, and cancellation is allowed at any time.checked 27 Sep 2026
- Multiplayer tools
- Yeschecked 21 Sep 2026
- Open Source License
- The platform is open sourced on GitHub under the MIT license.checked 27 Sep 2026
- Private Project Access
- Private projects become locked when a subscription is canceled.checked 27 Sep 2026
- Support Contact
- General support is available at [email protected].checked 27 Sep 2026
Money
- Billing Support
- Billing questions can be sent to [email protected].checked 27 Sep 2026
- Free Access
- The free tier provides full access to the PlayCanvas Engine.checked 27 Sep 2026
- Free App Hosting
- Free app hosting is included in the free, Personal, and Organization plans.checked 27 Sep 2026
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 21 Sep 2026
- Free Project Limit
- Free accounts support unlimited public projects.checked 27 Sep 2026
- Free Storage Limit
- Free accounts include 1GB of storage.checked 27 Sep 2026
- Plan Trial
- Personal and Organization plans can be trialed through an account upgrade code.checked 27 Sep 2026
Where it runs
- Browser Experiences
- The platform supports browser games, browser-based casino games, and browser-based collaborative education.checked 27 Sep 2026
- Platform Support
- PlayCanvas supports WebGL2 and WebGPU, including compute shaders.checked 27 Sep 2026
- Published Apps
- Published apps are unaffected when a subscription is canceled.checked 27 Sep 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2011checked 28 Sep 2026
- Headquarters
- London, United Kingdomchecked 28 Sep 2026
- Team Collaboration
- Organization plans include team management and unlimited private projects.checked 27 Sep 2026
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