PlayCanvas

S tier on Game Engine SoftwareScore 9.0 · #9 of 91

Android app: Not listed
Free plan: Yes
Paid plans from: $15/mo
Runs on: Web

playcanvas.com

Summary

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 15.00 USD per month and includes unlimited private projects and 10GB of storage; Organization costs 50.00 USD per 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.

Who it is for

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.

What is 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

What to know first

Free accounts include 1GB of storage
Private projects lock after subscription cancellation
Personal plan costs 15.00 USD per month

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.

PlayCanvas plans and pricing

All plans

Free Free billed monthly 1GB storage · Unlimited public projects playcanvas.com · 27 Sept 2026

Personal $15/mo Payment automatically taken monthly 10GB storage · Unlimited private projects playcanvas.com · 27 Sept 2026

Organization $50/mo Payment automatically taken monthly 50GB storage · Unlimited private projects playcanvas.com · 27 Sept 2026

Compared on game engine software

Free plan: Yesplaycanvas.com
Paid from: $15/moplaycanvas.com
Engine type: 2d/3dplaycanvas.com
Primary targets: multi-platformplaycanvas.com
Multiplayer tools: Yesplaycanvas.com
Source control: Yesplaycanvas.com
Built-in testing: Yesplaycanvas.com
Team collaboration: Yesplaycanvas.com

Facts

Open Source License: The platform is open sourced on GitHub under the MIT license.playcanvas.com · 27 Sept 2026
Free Access: The free tier provides full access to the PlayCanvas Engine.playcanvas.com · 27 Sept 2026
Free Project Limit: Free accounts support unlimited public projects.playcanvas.com · 27 Sept 2026
Free Storage Limit: Free accounts include 1GB of storage.playcanvas.com · 27 Sept 2026
Free App Hosting: Free app hosting is included in the free, Personal, and Organization plans.playcanvas.com · 27 Sept 2026
Private Project Access: Private projects become locked when a subscription is canceled.playcanvas.com · 27 Sept 2026
Published Apps: Published apps are unaffected when a subscription is canceled.playcanvas.com · 27 Sept 2026
Plan Trial: Personal and Organization plans can be trialed through an account upgrade code.playcanvas.com · 27 Sept 2026
Minimum Subscription: The minimum subscription term is one month, and cancellation is allowed at any time.playcanvas.com · 27 Sept 2026
Auto Renewal: Personal and Organization subscriptions automatically renew monthly.playcanvas.com · 27 Sept 2026
Billing Support: Billing questions can be sent to [email protected].playcanvas.com · 27 Sept 2026
Platform Support: PlayCanvas supports WebGL2 and WebGPU, including compute shaders.playcanvas.com · 27 Sept 2026
Browser Experiences: The platform supports browser games, browser-based casino games, and browser-based collaborative education.playcanvas.com · 27 Sept 2026
AR Integrations: WebXR support is built in, with integrations for 8th Wall and Zappar.playcanvas.com · 27 Sept 2026
Editor Workflows: Users can work visually, through npm, with React, or with HTML Web Components.playcanvas.com · 27 Sept 2026
Gaussian Splatting: The platform includes editing, optimization, and rendering tools for 3D Gaussian Splats.playcanvas.com · 27 Sept 2026
Support Contact: General support is available at [email protected].playcanvas.com · 27 Sept 2026