Introduction
Creating a video game has never been more accessible than it is today. Construct 3, developed by Scirra, has established itself as one of the most intuitive game engines for indie creators, students, and even teachers. Its visual approach, based on an event system rather than traditional coding, allows ideas to be turned into playable prototypes in just a few hours.
But behind this simplicity lie real questions: Is Construct 3 completely free? What is the value of its paid version? Can you really publish and sell games made with this tool? And above all, how does it compare to giants like Unreal or GameMaker?
1. Is Construct 3 Completely Free? What Are the Limits of the Free Version?
Construct 3 offers a free version that lets users explore the core of the engine without any commitment. It provides access to the full editor directly from a browser, with no complex installation or setup required. It’s an excellent way to test the interface, learn the basics of the event system, and create first prototypes.
However, this free version is designed as a learning demo rather than a full production environment. Its main limitations concern project size and complexity. For example, the number of allowed events is restricted (50 maximum), which quickly limits the depth of game mechanics. Additionally, some advanced features — such as exporting to Android, iOS, or Steam — are only available with a subscription.
Free version users also cannot use custom plugins, cloud save systems, or external JavaScript integration. This means that if a project grows or becomes commercially viable, upgrading to the paid version is necessary to unlock the engine’s full potential.
That said, the free version is still sufficient for solid learning and creative exploration. Many beginner developers use it to create small web games, educational prototypes, or interactive experiences.
For a deeper understanding of what is possible without a subscription and the true technical limits of the free plan, see the detailed section Construct 3 Free vs Paid, which explores differences in features, exports, and performance.
2. Is Construct 3 Subscription Based? How Can You Cancel It?
Construct 3 operates on a subscription model. This approach reflects Scirra’s philosophy: to maintain a constantly evolving engine that is regularly updated without the need for a separate “Construct 4” version. The subscription allows users to automatically access new features, bug fixes, and performance improvements, without extra costs tied to major updates.
Full access to the engine is available via two main plans: monthly and annual. The annual subscription is usually cheaper over time, while the monthly plan is better for users who want to test the service for a limited period.
Advantages of the subscription model
This system ensures every user always has the latest version, compatible with the newest web and mobile technologies. Since Construct 3 is entirely browser-based, everything is synchronized online: projects, preferences, and extensions. This approach eliminates version compatibility issues that are common with other engines requiring local installations.
The subscription also grants access to all exports (Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, HTML5, Steam, etc.) and essential features for commercial game release. For indie developers, this is a key requirement for publishing on professional platforms.
How to cancel or manage your subscription
Cancellation is simple: log into your Construct account, go to the Billing page, and click “Cancel Subscription.” Premium access remains active until the end of the paid period. Once expired, the account automatically reverts to the free version without losing locally saved projects.
For those who want to compare this flexibility to engines with permanent licenses, the page Construct 3 Licensing Explained provides a detailed look at long term costs and developer profiles’ ROI.
3. What Is Construct 3 Used For? Can You Sell Games Made with It?
Construct 3 is designed to create a wide range of 2D games. Its event system allows development without traditional coding, opening the door to many genres: platformers, shooters, puzzle games, educational games, and visual novels. The editor handles physics, collisions, animations, behaviors, and interfaces visually and intuitively.
Many indie creators use Construct 3 to quickly prototype ideas before moving to full production. Others even publish their finished games on platforms like Steam, itch.io, or Google Play. The engine can export to HTML5, Android (APK), iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it very flexible for distribution.
Selling games made with Construct 3
It is entirely possible to sell commercial games made with Construct 3. Scirra does not require royalties or revenue sharing: once a game is exported, it belongs entirely to the creator. This is a major advantage of the license. Developers can freely publish their projects, monetize them through ads, direct sales, or even integrate them into paid educational services.
This freedom attracts many indie developers because it avoids the legal complexity of engines that demand a percentage of sales (like Unreal Engine beyond a certain revenue threshold).
Other possible uses
Construct 3 goes beyond simple game development. Many schools use it as a learning tool to teach students programming logic. It’s also used in interactive marketing to create gamified web experiences or prototypes for product presentations.
The editor allows the integration of JavaScript scripts, enabling custom features: basic AI, API connections, or advanced save systems.
For concrete examples of monetized projects published by the community, see Can You Sell Games Made with Construct 3, which showcases projects ranging from independent mobile games to internationally distributed educational licenses.
4. Does Construct 3 Require Coding? What Programming Language Does It Use?
One of Construct 3’s main selling points is that no programming knowledge is needed to create functional games. Its system is based on visual events, combining conditions and actions. Each action represents a game behavior, such as moving a character, triggering an animation, or detecting a collision. Conditions define when these actions occur.
This approach is ideal for beginners or teachers introducing programming logic without intimidation. Users learn basic concepts of conditional logic, loops, and variables, all within a graphical environment.
When code becomes useful
For more advanced features, Construct 3 allows JavaScript integration. This enables users to:
- Create custom behaviors not covered by the event system.
- Connect the game to external services via APIs.
- Optimize mechanics for more complex or high-performance games.
Thus, while coding is never mandatory, mastering JavaScript provides extra freedom and makes Construct 3 suitable for ambitious projects.
Comparison with other engines
Unlike engines like Unity or Unreal, where programming is central (C# for Unity, C++ or Blueprints for Unreal), Construct 3 focuses on immediate accessibility. Developers can get a playable game quickly while having the option to add code for further customization.
For a complete guide on integrating JavaScript in Construct 3, see Does Construct 3 Require Coding, detailing scenarios where coding is useful and how to implement it effectively.
5. Is Construct 3 Beginner Friendly and Safe? What Are Its Pros and Cons?
Construct 3 is known for its gentle learning curve, making it especially suitable for beginners. The interface is clear, with a visual editor where everything is accessible within a few clicks. Events are represented intuitively, and prebuilt behaviors allow complex actions without writing a single line of code.
Strengths for beginners
- Simple, organized interface: all essential tools are visible and easy to understand.
- Comprehensive documentation and tutorials: Scirra provides detailed guides for each feature and sample projects.
- Active community: forums and help groups solve problems quickly.
- Safety and stability: browser-based operation reduces risks associated with local installations or version conflicts.
General advantages
- Rapid prototyping.
- Cross-platform exports.
- Powerful, flexible event system.
- Royalty-free commercial license.
Limitations and disadvantages
- Limited 3D features: primarily a 2D engine.
- Performance on very heavy projects: games with many objects may run less smoothly than on more powerful engines like Unreal.
- Subscription required to export and unlock all features.
- Browser dependency: convenient, but may be problematic with unstable internet or outdated browsers.
Overall, Construct 3 combines safety, accessibility, and power. It’s ideal for beginners or those wanting to test concepts quickly. For a full summary of pros and cons with practical beginner tips, see Construct 3 Beginner Guide.
6. Construct 3 vs Other Game Engines: GameMaker, Unreal, and Scratch
When comparing Construct 3 to other engines, it’s important to consider the target audience, project complexity, and ease of use.
Construct 3 vs GameMaker
GameMaker is also a popular 2D engine used for professional games like Undertale. It offers a combination of drag-and-drop and GML (GameMaker Language) for more experienced developers. Construct 3 stands out for its fully visual approach in the base version, making it more accessible for beginners. However, GameMaker can offer more control over performance and complex project management.
Construct 3 vs Unreal Engine
Unreal Engine is an extremely powerful 3D engine used for AAA games and cinematic productions. It relies on C++ and Blueprints, requiring a greater learning investment. Construct 3 doesn’t compete in 3D or advanced performance but allows rapid 2D prototyping without programming expertise, ideal for indie or educational projects.
Construct 3 vs Scratch
Scratch is an educational tool for children and complete beginners, based on a block-based visual system. Construct 3 provides a similar visual logic interface but with much more advanced features, cross-platform exports, and commercial game creation. It sits between learning and professional production.
Comparative summary
- Accessibility: Construct 3 and Scratch are very easy to pick up.
- Flexibility: GameMaker and Unreal provide more technical control and customization.
- Commercialization: Construct 3 allows direct sales like GameMaker but with a lower entry barrier.
- Project types: Unreal for advanced 3D, Construct 3 for fast 2D, Scratch for learning and education.
For a detailed comparison of strengths and limitations, as well as guidance for choosing the right engine, see Construct 3 vs Other Engines, with real game and prototype examples.
Conclusion
Construct 3 stands out for making 2D game development accessible, fast, and flexible. Its free version allows users to explore the editor and create small projects, while the subscription unlocks all exports and advanced features. Even without coding, it is possible to create complete, monetizable games, with JavaScript available for further customization.
Its visual and intuitive approach makes it perfect for beginners and indie creators, while remaining powerful enough for commercial projects. Compared to GameMaker, Unreal, or Scratch, Construct 3 occupies a middle ground, combining ease of learning with professional publishing potential.
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