Pygame vs Ren'Py
Pygame
pygame.org
Ren'Py
renpy.orgSide by side
| Figure | Pygame | Ren'Py |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Game Engine Software | 8.2 (#48) | 9.0 (#6) |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| License | Pygame is distributed under GNU LGPL version 2.1, and the project states that closed-source and commercial games are allowed. | Most Ren'Py code is MIT licensed, while bundled components include LGPL and other licenses. |
| Mobile export | Yes | Yes |
| Purpose | Pygame is a Python library for making multimedia applications such as games, built on SDL. | Ren'Py is a visual novel engine for creating interactive stories and life simulation games using words, images, and sounds. |
| Scripting languages | Python | Ren'Py script language; Python |
| Source code model | open_source | open_source |
| Target platforms | Windows,macOS,Linux,Android | Windows 10+,macOS 10.10+,Linux x86_64/Arm,Android 5.0+,iOS 11+,HTML5/WebAssembly (beta) |
Plans
In their own words
Ren'Py
Ren'Py is a free visual novel engine for making interactive stories and life simulation games with words, images, and sounds. Its script language handles visual-novel writing, while Python can be used for more complex game logic. Default games include menus, automatic saves, rollback, predictive image loading, and mouse, keyboard, or gamepad controls. Creators can customize screens and styles using the screen language and Python. The launcher builds Windows, Mac, and Linux games from any of those desktop systems. Ren'Py also supports Android export and can package games for WebAssembly browsers, though web support is beta and lacks networking and multithreading. It targets Windows 10 or later, macOS 10.10 or later, Linux x86_64 or Arm, Android 5.0 or later, and iOS 11 or later. Building for iOS requires a Mac and Xcode, and that support remains a work in progress. The engine is free for commercial and non-commercial use; most is MIT-licensed, with some LGPL components whose terms distributors must meet.