Armory3D

Armory3D is a free, open-source 3D game engine distributed as a Blender add-on and external SDK. It provides a game-development workflow for projects targeting Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android, and the web. Game behavior can be written in Haxe or assembled with visual logic nodes, including custom nodes. Its scriptable renderer offers deferred and forward paths, with the option to create custom render paths. Armory includes a UI library and editor, Bullet-based rigid and soft body simulation, and an option to configure Oimo. Objects marked as actors can use navigation meshes for real-time pathing. Other capabilities include emitter and hair particles with GPU instancing, GPU skinning, bones, keyframes, shape keys, and tilesheets. Lighting features include voxel-based ambient occlusion, lightmapping, area lights, reflection probes, and IES textures. The setup guide asks users to install Blender 4.5.x LTS and states that Blender 3.3 LTS and earlier are unsupported. The engine's zlib/libpng license permits commercial use subject to its stated restrictions.

Armory3D combines Blender integration with scripting, visual logic, and broad export targets. Check the Blender version requirement and license restrictions before starting a project.

Armory3D suits game developers who use Blender and want visual scripting or Haxe, with exports for desktop, mobile, and web targets. Its setup guidance is relevant to users choosing a Blender version.

Armory3D is an open-source 3D game engine built around Blender, with Haxe and visual logic nodes for creating game behavior. It is best suited to developers who want a Blender-centered workflow and control over how their games are rendered. Its broad export range is a strong draw, provided your Blender setup meets the engine’s requirements.

Overview

Armory3D brings game development into Blender through an add-on and an external SDK, with portability, a small footprint, and performance as its focus. Its zlib/libpng license permits commercial use subject to its stated restrictions, making it an option for commercial projects as well as personal work. Armory says its software does not collect, market, or sell user data.

Blender integration is the engine’s defining advantage and its chief constraint. Keeping game creation close to Blender suits developers already comfortable there, but the setup guide calls for Blender 4.5.x LTS and says Blender 3.3 LTS and earlier are unsupported. The SDK is distributed as a Blender add-on and external SDK; the guide describes the add-on as portable and requiring no installation. Check compatibility before building a project around it.

Key features

Game behavior can be scripted in Haxe or assembled with visual logic nodes, including custom nodes. That gives teams room to combine code and node-based work, though developers seeking a different scripting language should account for Haxe as Armory’s named option. The setup guide documents Visual Studio Code with the Kha Extension pack, Kode Studio, Sublime Text, and custom editors.

The scriptable renderer supports deferred and forward paths, as well as custom render paths. That flexibility matters to developers who need to shape rendering around a project; it also means the engine is not limited to choosing between fixed presets. Lighting features include voxel-based ambient occlusion, lightmapping, area lights, reflection probes, and IES textures.

Armory includes its own UI library and editor for game interfaces. Bullet handles rigid- and soft-body simulation, with Oimo as another configuration option. Navigation meshes can calculate real-time paths for objects marked as actors, while emitter and hair particles use GPU instancing. Animation support includes GPU skinning, bones, keyframes, shape keys, and tilesheets. These systems give developers a substantial set of built-in tools, but the breadth is most useful to people prepared to work within a Blender-based engine workflow.

Games can target Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android, and the web, and console export is supported. That range makes Armory relevant to projects spanning desktop, mobile, and browser releases; the listed targets do not, on their own, establish identical capabilities across platforms.

Pricing

Armory Engine — free. The plan includes the open-source engine, Blender add-on, and external SDK. There is no paid tier or recurring charge in the stated plan, and the license permits commercial applications subject to its restrictions. This suits independent developers and teams who want to use the engine without an upfront software fee, but they should read the license terms before release.

Platforms

The engine targets Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android, and the web, with console export also supported. Its development setup depends on Blender 4.5.x LTS; Blender 3.3 LTS and earlier are unsupported. That version requirement is the practical compatibility check to make before choosing Armory.

Who it's for

Armory3D is a strong fit for developers who already use Blender and want scripting, visual logic, customizable rendering, and several export targets in one engine. It is less suitable for those who need to keep an existing workflow centered on an unsupported Blender version or prefer not to use Haxe or visual logic nodes. The setup guide points users to troubleshooting documentation and the GitHub issue tracker for installation and usage problems; the download page also links to contribution instructions, Discord, and release notes.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Blender integration connects 3D creation and game development in one workflow, particularly useful for Blender-based projects.
• Pro: Haxe and visual logic nodes, including custom nodes, provide both code and node-based approaches to game behavior.
• Pro: Deferred, forward, and custom render paths give developers control over rendering choices.
• Pro: Targets include desktop, mobile, and web, with console export supported.
• Pro: The free open-source plan permits commercial use under the zlib/libpng license’s restrictions.
• Con: Blender 4.5.x LTS is required by the setup guide, while Blender 3.3 LTS and earlier are unsupported.
• Con: Haxe is the named scripting language, which may not suit developers who want to work in another language.

Alternatives

Godot Engine is a free, open-source option with no contracts or hidden fees; choose it if you want those terms rather than Armory’s Blender-centered workflow.

Defold is free forever with no licensing fees, royalties, or runtime fees, making it worth considering if those cost terms are your priority.

Flax Engine is free for non-commercial or educational use, with a 4% royalty on commercial earnings exceeding $250,000 per calendar year; choose it if that model fits your project.

Construct 3 offers a Personal License with all features unlocked for individuals and hobbyists, and allows cancellation at any time. Consider it if those stated terms fit your needs.

CRYENGINE is free to download and use under royalty-based licensing terms.

Clickteam Fusion 2.5 has a free edition with limited HTML5 export and a $$99.99 one-time PC edition for commercial games and apps; consider it if that edition structure suits your project.

CopperCube offers a free edition and open-source WebGL engine code.

GDevelop has a free plan described as a way to create a first game at no charge.

Browse Game Development Software, Game Visual Scripting Software, and Game Engine Software for more options.

Verdict

Choose Armory3D if Blender is already central to your workflow and you want an open-source engine that pairs Haxe and visual logic with broad export targets and customizable rendering. The main reason to look elsewhere is the Blender-version requirement, or a preference for a different scripting workflow. For developers who meet those conditions, its free commercial-use license and integrated approach make it a compelling choice.