Unity Vs Unreal Engines is always a hot debate in the game development industry. These are two of the most popular game engines in the world. Both engines are capable of creating high-quality games and interactive experiences, but they differ in their design philosophy, features, and performance. This comparative analysis will provide an in-depth review of both engines, exploring their similarities and differences in order to help readers make an informed decision when choosing between the two.
The purpose of this comparison is to provide an overview of the features, capabilities, and performance of both Unity and Unreal Engines. By comparing the two engines, you will gain a better understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each platform, as well as the types of games and interactive experiences each engine is best suited for.
Key Highlights
- Over 60% of all mobile games and over 50% of all PC and console games being developed using Unity.
- Some of the most popular games developed using Unity include Among Us, Pokemon Go, Cuphead, and Hearthstone.
- Unity supports for multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and more.
- Unity is also used in several applications including film and animation, architecture and engineering, and virtual and augmented reality experiences.
- Some notable VR and AR projects developed using Unity include Job Simulator, Tilt Brush, and Pokemon Go.
- Over 40% of all PC and console games being developed using Unreal Engine.
- Some of the most popular games developed using Unreal Engine include Fortnite, Gears of War, and Borderlands.
- Unreal Engine is ideal for AAA games.
- Unreal Engine was created by Epic Games and was first used in the 1998 game “Unreal”.
- The latest version of Unreal Engine, Unreal Engine 5, was released in April 2022 and includes significant advancements in graphics, animation, and physics.
Unity Game Engine
Unity is a versatile game engine designed to create 2D and 3D games, simulations, and other interactive experiences. It was created by Unity Technologies in 2005 and has since become one of the most widely used game engines in the world. It is popular platform for game development, enabling developers to create games with stunning graphics and complex artificial intelligence. Unity offers a vast library of assets and plugins that caters to a wide range of game genres, making it a popular choice for both hobbyists and professionals.
Unity is a cross-platform engine, allowing developers to create games that can be played on multiple devices, including PC, Mac, mobile, and consoles. It is intuitive and user-friendly, making it easy for beginners to start creating games quickly and efficiently. In addition to game development, Unity has also been utilized in various industries, such as architecture, film, and education, thanks to its powerful real-time rendering capabilities. With its robust development tools, Unity has become a game-changing platform in the world of game development.
Unreal Engine
Unreal Engine is a popular game engine that has been revolutionizing the gaming industry for over two decades. Created by Epic Games, it is best known for its advanced graphics capabilities, including realistic lighting, dynamic shadows, and impressive particle effects. Unreal Engine is a versatile platform that is used in the development of a wide variety of games, from first-person shooters to role-playing games.
One of the key reasons for the popularity of Unreal Engine is its ease of use. With a user-friendly interface and a vast library of resources, it has become a favorite among developers. The engine also provides a high level of flexibility, allowing developers to customize and modify it according to their specific needs. Unreal Engine is especially convenient for large-scale games with complex environments, as it can handle a high volume of data without compromising on performance. It is also widely used in the development of virtual reality experiences and architectural visualization.
Comparison: Unity Vs Unreal
Platform compatibility
When it comes to platform compatibility, both Unity and Unreal Engine have their strengths and weaknesses. Unity is a cross-platform engine that supports a wide range of platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch. Developers use it for mobile game development, with over 50% of mobile games developed using Unity. In addition, Unity has a strong presence in the augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) space, with over 60% of AR and VR experiences developed using Unity.
On the other hand, Unreal Engine has traditionally been more focused on high-end gaming and PC platforms. While it does support a range of platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch, it may not be as well-suited for mobile development as Unity. However, Unreal Engine has made significant strides in mobile development in recent years, with the release of Unreal Engine 4.25 introducing support for iOS Metal and Android Vulkan, as well as optimizations for mobile devices.
Both engines have been used in some high-profile games across various platforms. Unity has been used in popular mobile games such as Pokémon Go, Temple Run, and Angry Birds 2, as well as in console and PC games such as Ori and the Will of the Wisps and Cuphead. Unreal Engine has been used in PC and console games such as Fortnite, Gears of War, and Borderlands 3, as well as in mobile games such as PUBG Mobile and Asphalt 9: Legends.
Winner: BOTH
Ease of Use and Beginner Friendly
Ease of use is a critical factor when choosing a game engine. Especially, when you are doing a Unreal vs Unity comparison. Both Unity and Unreal Engine have their strengths in this regard. Unity is important because of its user-friendly interface and easy-to-learn scripting language. Nevertheless, Unity is an ideal choice for indie developers and beginners. In addition, Unity offers a robust asset store that contains a wide range of pre-built assets and plugins. It can help in saving significant development time and resources.
On the other hand, Unreal Engine has a steeper learning curve, but it offers more flexibility and power to experienced developers. Its visual scripting system, Blueprint, enables developers to create complex game logic without the need for extensive coding knowledge. Furthermore, Unreal Engine offers a range of powerful features, such as its advanced physics engine and high-end graphics capabilities, that make it a preferred choice for larger studios and AAA game development.
According to a survey by the Game Developers Conference in 2020, Unity is the most widely used game engine among developers, with 53% of respondents reporting that they use Unity. Meanwhile, 23% of respondents reported using Unreal Engine.
Winner: Unity
Performance
Performance is a critical factor when it comes to Unity vs Unreal. Both Unity and Unreal Engine offer high-performance capabilities. Unity has a reputation for being lightweight and optimized for mobile devices, which makes it a preferred choice for developing 2D and 3D mobile games. Unity’s engine is designed to take full advantage of the hardware it’s running on, with features such as optimized rendering and physics engine, which can enhance game performance.
As Unreal Engine is known for its advanced rendering capabilities, which enable developers to create high-quality graphics and visual effects. The engine’s real-time rendering capabilities make it ideal for creating realistic environments and immersive experiences. Additionally, Unreal Engine’s Blueprints visual scripting system allows for fast iteration and quick prototyping, which can save time and resources in the development process.
According to a benchmark conducted by TechSpot in 2020, Unreal Engine performed better than Unity in terms of CPU and GPU usage, with an average FPS of 84.5 compared to Unity’s 64.5 FPS.
Winner: Unreal Engine
Graphics
Unity and Unreal Engine are both capable of producing high-quality graphics. However, there are some differences between the two engines in terms of their graphic capabilities.
Unity’s strength lies in its ability to optimize graphics for mobile platforms. It is known for producing visually stunning 2D and 3D games with a relatively low resource footprint. Unity also offers a range of features that can enhance the graphical quality of games, such as real-time lighting and shading.
Unreal Engine is popular because of its advanced graphics capabilities. It enables developers to create high-quality, photorealistic environments and characters. Unreal Engine’s advanced rendering pipeline allows for the creation of dynamic lighting and realistic materials, which can produce stunning visuals in games. Additionally, Unreal Engine’s Niagara visual effects system provides developers with a powerful toolset for creating realistic, immersive environments.
According to the Steam Hardware Survey, in April 2021, Unreal Engine was used in games with higher graphics requirements, while Unity was used in a greater number of games overall.
Winner: Unreal Engine
Physics engine
When it comes to Unity vs Unreal, both offer powerful physics engines that can simulate realistic physical interactions between objects.
Unity’s physics engine is designed to be lightweight and optimized for mobile platforms. It makes it a preferred choice for developing 2D and 3D mobile games. The engine uses the NVIDIA PhysX physics engine, which provides fast and accurate physics simulations. Additionally, Unity’s physics engine includes features such as ragdoll physics, cloth simulation, and constraints.
Unreal Engine, on the other hand, uses its proprietary physics engine, which is known for its advanced capabilities. The engine offers support for complex physics simulations, such as soft body physics and destruction physics. Additionally, Unreal Engine’s physics engine includes features such as physics-based animation and dynamic collisions.
According to a benchmark conducted by AnandTech in 2020, Unreal Engine outperformed Unity in terms of physics simulation performance. However, the difference in performance may not be noticeable in most games.
Winner: Unreal Engine
Asset store
The asset store is an essential component of game development that provides developers with pre-made game assets, such as 3D models, textures, animations, and sound effects. Both Unity and Unreal Engine offer their own asset stores, providing developers with a wide range of high-quality assets.
Unity’s asset store is popular for its extensive library of assets and plugins. As of 2022, the Unity Asset Store offers over 27,000 assets and plugins, with over 1 million active users. The asset store is user-oriented, ensuring that only high-quality assets are made available to users. Additionally, Unity’s asset store provides developers with an easy-to-use interface. It enables you to quickly find and purchase the assets they need.
Unreal Engine’s asset store, known as the Unreal Marketplace, offers over 12,000 assets, with over 2 million registered users. The asset store offers a range of high-quality assets, including 3D models, animations, materials, and sound effects. Unreal Engine’s asset store also provides developers with an easy-to-use interface. It enables you to quickly find and purchase the assets they need.
In terms of asset stores, both Unity and Unreal Engine offer extensive libraries of high-quality assets. Assets stores make it easy for developers to find the assets they need. However, when it comes to Unity vs Unreal, Unity’s asset store has a more extensive library of assets. On the other hand, Unreal Engine’s asset store offers fewer assets but focuses on quality over quantity. Ultimately, the choice between Unity vs Unreal engines depends on the specific needs and requirements of a project.
Winner: Unity
Cost
Cost and pricing are important factors to consider when you are consider Unity vs Unreal game engines comparison. Unity and Unreal Engine have different pricing models that can have a significant impact on the project budget.
Unity offers a flexible pricing model that includes a free version for personal and small business use. The paid versions start at $399 per year for a Plus subscription. It comes with additional features such as performance reporting and analytics. For larger studios and enterprises, Unity offers a Pro subscription starting at $1800 per year. It provides more advanced features and dedicated support.
Unreal Engine has a different pricing model. It offers a royalty-based model, where developers pay a 5% royalty on gross revenue after the first $1 million. This means that developers can use Unreal Engine for free until they start earning revenue. Unreal Engine also offers a custom licensing option for large enterprises that require more flexibility in their licensing terms.
Both Unity and Unreal Engine offer affordable options for game development. However, Unity’s pricing model may be more suitable for small to medium-sized projects, while Unreal Engine’s royalty-based model may be more attractive for larger studios and enterprises.
Winner: Unreal Engine
Unity vs Unreal Engine 5 (Latest Unreal Engine Version)
Unity and Unreal Engine 5 are both powerful game engines with unique strengths. The Unity game engine is famous for its ease of use, cross-platform compatibility, and affordable pricing. On the other hand, Unreal Engine 5 is known for its advanced graphics capabilities, physics engine, and superior performance. However, with the latest release of Unreal Engine 5, it has made significant advancements in terms of ease of use, particularly with its Nanite and Lumen technologies. These features enable the engine to handle massive amounts of geometric detail and advanced lighting, without compromising performance. Although Unity is still a great choice for many developers due to its accessibility and lower pricing, Unreal Engine 5 now offers more competitive ease of use, while still maintaining its strengths in graphics and performance.
Unity or Unreal: Which One Should You Choose? (Key Takeaways)
- If you want to create mobile games or games for lower-end hardware, Unity is the better choice due to its optimized performance and cross-platform compatibility.
- For AAA games or high-end PC/console games, Unreal Engine’s advanced graphics capabilities, physics engine, and performance make it a more suitable option.
- Unity has a lower barrier to entry due to its ease of use and affordable pricing. It makes it a great choice for indie developers or smaller studios.
- Unreal Engine’s Nanite and Lumen technologies offer significant advancements in terms of ease of use, particularly with handling large amounts of geometric detail and advanced lighting.
- Both Unity and Unreal Engine have robust asset stores. However, Unity’s asset store has a larger variety of assets and plugins.
- The debate of Unity vs Unreal Engine should be based on the specific needs and goals of the project. Because, both engines have their unique advantages and can produce high-quality games.
Conclusion
Both Unity and Unreal Engine have their strengths and weaknesses. Choosing between the two depends on your project’s requirements and your team’s expertise. If you are developing a mobile game or a simple 2D game, Unity might be a better choice. It is because of its ease of use and lower learning curve. However, if you are developing a high-end PC or console game with advanced graphics and physics, Unreal Engine might be the way to go. Ultimately, it is essential to weigh the pros and cons of each engine and choose the one that best suits your project’s needs and your team’s skills.
With continuous development in these game engines, I guess Unity Vs Unreal Engine debate will still go on!
