GLFW AlternativesGame Development Tools and other similar apps like GLFW

GLFW is described as 'Open Source, multi-platform library for OpenGL, OpenGL ES and Vulkan development on the desktop. It provides a simple API for creating windows, contexts and surfaces, receiving input and events' and is a game development tool in the development category. There are more than 10 alternatives to GLFW for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Linux, Mac, Web-based and iPhone apps. The best GLFW alternative is Godot Engine, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like GLFW are microStudio, Bevy Game Engine, UPBGE and DirectX.

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Alternatives list

  1. Godot Engine icon

    Godot Engine

     587 likes
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    Godot Engine is a feature-packed, cross-platform game engine to create 2D and 3D games from a unified interface. It provides a comprehensive set of common tools, so that users can focus on making games without having to reinvent the wheel.

    178 Godot Engine alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • Epic Games Store
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Haiku
    • Steam
    • FreeBSD
    • Flatpak
    • itch.io
    • Meta Quest
    Godot Engine screenshot 1
     
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    Comments about Godot Engine as an Alternative to GLFW
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    One is an engine the other is a Window management library

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    GLFW Icon
    Godot Engine icon

    • Godot Engine is the most popular Web-based, Windows, Android & Mac alternative to GLFW.

    • Godot Engine is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to GLFW.

    • Godot Engine is Free and Open SourceGLFW is also Free and Open Source
    • Godot Engine is LightweightGLFW is not according to our users
  5. UPBGE icon

    UPBGE

     10 likes
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    A extremely powerful application to make games in python as well as in visual programming

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Blender
    UPBGE screenshot 1
     
  6. DirectX icon

    DirectX

     42 likes
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    DirectX is a set of components in Windows that allows software, primarily and especially games, to work directly with your video and audio hardware.

    12 DirectX alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows
    DirectX screenshot 1
     
  7. WebGL icon

    WebGL

     25 likes
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    WebGL is a cross-platform, royalty-free web standard for a low-level 3D graphics API based on OpenGL ES 2.0, exposed through the HTML5 Canvas element as Document Object Model interfaces. Developers familiar with OpenGL ES 2.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
     
  9. SDL icon

    SDL

     35 likes
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    Simple DirectMedia Layer is a cross-platform multimedia library designed to provide low level access to audio, keyboard, mouse, joystick, 3D hardware via OpenGL, and 2D video framebuffer. It is used by MPEG playback software, emulators, and many popular games, including the...

    33 SDL alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Windows Mobile
    • iPhone
    • Symbian S60
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • Haiku
     

    • SDL is the most popular iPhone & iPad alternative to GLFW.

    • SDL is Free and Open SourceGLFW is also Free and Open Source
  10. Allegro icon

    Allegro

     12 likes
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    Allegro 4 and Allegro 5 are cross-platform, libraries mainly aimed at video game and multimedia programming. They handle common, low-level tasks such as creating windows, accepting user input, loading data, drawing images, playing sounds, etc.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • iPhone
     
  11. SFML icon

    SFML

     13 likes
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    SFML (Simple and Fast Multimedia Library) is a portable and easy-to-use API for multimedia programming.

    14 SFML alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
  12. LibGDX icon

    LibGDX

     20 likes
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    Java framework providing unified API for building 2D or 3D games across desktop, mobile, and browser platforms, with hot code swapping, rapid prototyping, modular architecture, integrated physics, input, asset tools, and support for desktop-native debugging.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
     

    • LibGDX is the most popular Android Tablet alternative to GLFW.

    • LibGDX is Free and Open SourceGLFW is also Free and Open Source
  13. SDL Game Engine icon

    SDL Game Engine

     1 like
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    A platform independent 2d game programming framework for c/c++ programmers with least possible dependencies for easy porting and with focus on easy API calls and the requirement of commercial programmers.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
    • SDL
    • C++
     

    • SDL Game Engine is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to GLFW.

    • SDL Game Engine is Free and Open SourceGLFW is also Free and Open Source
  14. WADE icon

    WADE

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    A unique combination of a powerful JS framework + an amazing set of authoring tools, WADE doesn't force you to do things one way or another - you are in charge!

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Google Chrome
    WADE screenshot 1
     
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