Codename One vs Unity
Codename One
codenameone.com
Unity
unity.comSide by side
| Figure | Codename One | Unity |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $25/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 8 | 8 |
| Spec score · Mobile Development IDEs | 9.3 (#1) | 8.7 (#7) |
| Company legal name | The official site footer identifies the maker as Codename One LTD. | Crunchbase lists the legal name as Unity Technologies, Inc. |
| Integrations | The documented sign-in stack covers OpenID Connect, Sign in with Apple, Google, Facebook, Microsoft Entra ID, Auth0, and Firebase Authentication. | Unity Integrations connect Cloud Build, Cloud Diagnostics and Collaborate with webhooks, Discord, Slack and email. |
| Product | Codename One is an open-source cross-platform framework for Java and Kotlin developers to build native apps from a shared codebase. | Unity Engine is game and app development software for creating video games and immersive experiences from CAD and 3D data. |
| Rating on G2 | 4.4 out of 5 from 5 reviews | 4.5 out of 5 from 601 reviews |
| Rating on Trustpilot | 3.8 out of 5 from 9 reviews | 1.2 out of 5 from 467 reviews |
| Security | The security guide documents secure storage, encryption, certificate pinning, device integrity checks, and cryptographic APIs. | Unity says it regularly tests its services and securely stores and separates user assets; it also operates a responsible disclosure and bug bounty program. |
| Support | The Free plan includes community support, Pro includes email support, and Enterprise includes phone support during office hours. | Unity directs users to its Issue Tracker and Editor bug reporting flow, while Pro includes expedited customer support and Enterprise includes dedicated support. |
| System requirements | The hosted workflow can build native iOS apps from Windows or Linux because the required Mac toolchain runs in Codename One's cloud. | Unity 6 Editor supports Windows 10 21H1 or newer, Windows 11, macOS Big Sur 11 or newer, and Ubuntu 22.04 or 24.04; 8 GB RAM is recommended. |
| What it does | Codename One is an open-source Java and Kotlin framework that turns one codebase into native applications for mobile, desktop, web, watch, TV and vehicle targets. | Unity Engine creates 2D and 3D games and interactive experiences for more than 20 platforms and billions of devices. |
Plans
Codename One
- FreeFree
- FreeFree
- Basic$25 a month
- Pro$85 a month
- Basic$300 a year
- Enterprise$450 a month
- Pro$1,020 a year
- Enterprise$5,400 a year
Unity
- Free tierFree
- Pay-as-you-goPrice not published
- Pay-as-you-goPriced on request
- Unity PersonalFree
- Unity Pro$210 a month
- Unity Pro$2,310 a year
- Unity EnterprisePriced on request
- Unity IndustryPriced on request
In their own words
Codename One
Codename One is an open-source framework for Java and Kotlin developers building apps from one codebase for Android, iOS, macOS, Linux, Windows, and web browsers. Its toolkit renders its own interface components and bundles the runtime and theme with each app. Developers can access platform SDKs through native interfaces and embed heavyweight views, including maps, web views, and camera surfaces. Projects use Maven and work in Maven-capable IDEs such as IntelliJ IDEA, NetBeans, Eclipse, and VS Code. The documented security tools include secure storage, encryption, certificate pinning, device integrity checks, and cryptographic APIs; App Shield adds short-lived attestation tokens on Enterprise. The Free plan provides 100 cloud build credits monthly, with iOS builds using eight credits, and an 8.5 MB user JAR limit. Commercial use carries no royalties or per-app fees. Pricing lists a free plan, paid plans from $25/user/mo billed annually, and a 14-day trial. Platforms also list watchOS and tvOS among mobile targets.