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Solar2D

Solar2D is an open-source 2D game engine that uses Lua and is available without engine fees or royalties.

Place
#24 of 92
Score
7.7
Solar2D's website

What Solar2D is

Solar2D is an open-source 2D game engine that uses Lua and is available without engine fees or royalties. It supports projects for mobile, desktop, and connected TV devices from one codebase. Listed targets include iOS, tvOS, Android, Android TV, macOS, Windows, Linux, and HTML5. Its Simulator shows code changes immediately, and deployed apps can receive code and asset updates over a local network. Plugins add options such as in-app advertising, analytics, and media, with plugins available through a free directory and third-party stores. Solar2D Native can call libraries or APIs written in C, C++, Objective-C, and Java. The source code and resources are under the MIT license. The maker says the engine does not track app users or gather anonymized data, and that built games make only the network requests their developers specify. Documentation includes getting-started material, guides, tutorials, an API reference, and plugin documentation. Community support and discussion are available through forums and Discord.

Good

  • Open-source code and resources use the MIT license.
  • No engine fees, charges, or royalties.
  • Targets include mobile, desktop, TV, and HTML5.
  • Simulator displays code changes immediately.
  • Can call C, C++, Objective-C, and Java libraries.

Watch out

  • Uses Lua as its scripting language.
  • No free trial is listed.

Who it suits

Solar2D suits developers building Lua-based 2D games or apps for its listed mobile, desktop, TV, and HTML5 targets. Its native-library support may also suit projects that need to call C, C++, Objective-C, or Java APIs.

Verdict

Solar2D offers a free Lua workflow with targets spanning mobile, desktop, TV, and HTML5. Its immediate Simulator updates and native-library access are useful considerations for teams assessing how they want to build.

Plans and prices

From Solar2D's own pricing page, checked 24 Sep 2026.

All about pricing
PlanPriceWhat it gives you
FreeFreeNo engine fees or royalties
Solar2DFreeNo fees, charges, or royalties for using the engine

The facts

Each one read from Solar2D's own pages, with the date it was checked.

What it does

Community support
The maker points users to its forums and Discord community for support and discussion.checked 9 Oct 2026
Documentation
The documentation site provides getting-started material, guides, tutorials, an API reference, and plugin documentation.checked 9 Oct 2026
License
The source code and resources are available under the MIT license.checked 9 Oct 2026
Live iteration
Its Simulator shows code changes immediately, and deployed apps can receive code and asset updates over the local network.checked 9 Oct 2026
Mobile export
Yeschecked 24 Sep 2026
Multiplayer tools
Yeschecked 24 Sep 2026
Native libraries
Solar2D Native can call C, C++, Objective-C, and Java libraries or APIs.checked 9 Oct 2026
Organization
The project page says Solar2D is maintained by its community, with Vlad Shcherban as principal developer.checked 9 Oct 2026
Plugins
Plugins can add features such as in-app advertising, analytics, and media, and are available through its free directory and third-party stores.checked 9 Oct 2026
Privacy
The maker says Solar2D does not track app users or gather anonymized data, and that built games make only the network requests their developers specify.checked 9 Oct 2026
Product
Solar2D is a Lua-based 2D game engine focused on ease of iteration and use.checked 9 Oct 2026
Scripting languages
Luachecked 24 Sep 2026
Source code model
open_sourcechecked 24 Sep 2026
Supported targets
The site lists iOS, tvOS, Android, Android TV, macOS, Windows, Linux, and HTML5 as targets.checked 9 Oct 2026
Use cases
The site describes developing games and apps for mobile, desktop, and connected TV devices from one codebase.checked 9 Oct 2026

The company

Company address
The Solar2D site identifies Solar2D LLC and lists its address as 30 N Gould St Ste R, Sheridan, Wyoming 82801.checked 9 Oct 2026
Headquarters
Sheridan, Wyoming, United Stateschecked 28 Sep 2026

Money

Cost
The maker says the engine has no fees, charges, or royalties for indie developers or large publishers.checked 9 Oct 2026
Free plan
Yeschecked 24 Sep 2026

Where it runs

Target platforms
iOS,tvOS,Android,Android TV,macOS,Windows,Linux,HTML5checked 24 Sep 2026

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