Unity vs Unreal Engine: Which Game Engine to Choose in 2025?

Video gaming is a huge market worth trillions of dollars. Each day, several game titles are released for mobiles, PCs, tablets, gaming consoles, and other platforms. It is a lucrative business model, which, when executed right, can earn you millions (or even billions) of dollars as well as a gigantic user community for your (product) video game.

Several things go into developing a video game. The most essential tool for creating a video game is the gaming engine or game engine. It is a suite of tools that facilitates the creation of video games.

There are a plethora of game engines available with different configurations to match video game development requirements for other platforms. Still, the duo that stands out among the group is Unity and Unreal Engine.

In this blog post, we will understand what a game engine is, compare Unreal Engine with Unity, and let you know which one to choose for developing your next video game.

What is a Game Engine?

A game engine is a software framework designed to help developers create video games more efficiently. It provides a set of pre-built tools, libraries, and systems that handle the core functionalities of a game—so developers can focus more on design, storytelling, and gameplay rather than building everything from scratch.

There are a galore of gaming engines available and although they have different architectures, the basic idea is the same. Game development is a long and intricate process with multiple stages, ranging from planning and pre-production to launch and promotion.

Core Functions of a Game Engine:

What is Unity?

Unity is a popular game engine that has been the force behind several famous video games. Developed by Unity Technologies, the game engine was released at the 2005 WWDC as a Mac OS X game engine.

The popular indie PC game Norco that headlined video gaming in 2022 is developed using Unity. The game engine is among the leading options to develop AR and VR video games. Independent developers and hobbyists love it.

Although Unity is capable of developing video games for many platforms, it is the go-to option for mobile game development. That’s because of two reasons. For one, it is easier to develop 2D games with Unity, and secondly, it eases the process of scaling down video games for running on low-end hardware.

Unity: A Brief History

• Founded: 2004

• Creators: David Helgason, Joachim Ante, and Nicholas Francis

• Initial Goal: Democratize game development for indie creators by making tools accessible.

• First Release: Unity 1.0 launched in 2005 at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). It was initially a Mac-only engine.

• Evolution:

  • 2008: Unity 2.0 added Windows support.

  • 2010s: Unity quickly gained popularity among mobile game developers during the smartphone boom.

  • Unity 5 (2015): Introduced powerful rendering tools and removed royalties—making it more competitive.

  • Unity Today: Widely used for mobile games, 2D/3D indie games, VR/AR, and real-time simulations.

What is Unreal Engine?

Unreal Engine is a leading game engine developed by Epic Games. It made its debut with the 1998 FPS game Unreal. It has been the source of power behind several popular video games, including Dragon Quest XII: The Flames of Fate, Fortnite, and Tekken 7.

Unreal Engine receives much love from AAA game developers due to its advanced graphics capabilities and support for a multitude of gaming platforms. Both Unreal Engine and Unity allow developers to expand their capabilities further utilizing plugins.

Unreal Engine: A Brief History

• Founded: 1998

• Creator: Tim Sweeney of Epic Games

• First Game: Unreal (1998) showcased the engine’s capabilities.

• Initial Focus: High-end PC and console games with cutting-edge graphics.

• Evolution:

  • Unreal Engine 2 & 3 (2002–2006): Powered popular AAA titles like Gears of War, BioShock, and Mass Effect.

  • Unreal Engine 4 (2014): Made the engine more accessible with a royalty-based pricing model and a Blueprint visual scripting system.

  • Unreal Engine 5 (2021): Introduced Nanite and Lumen, delivering near-photorealistic rendering and dynamic lighting.

  • Unreal Today: Dominates in AAA games, film production, architecture, and metaverse platforms.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Unity

Advantages of Unity

• User-Friendly & Easy to Learn
  Intuitive interface with C# scripting, great for beginners and indie developers.

• Cross-Platform Support
  Deploy games to over 25 platforms including mobile, PC, consoles, web, AR/VR, and more.

• Strong 2D & Mobile Game Development
  Powerful tools and optimizations for 2D games and mobile devices.

• Large Asset Store
  Access to thousands of ready-made assets, scripts, and plugins that speed up development.

• Fast Prototyping & Iteration
  Quick build times and real-time previews to test ideas rapidly.

• Wide Industry Usage
  Beyond games—used in simulations, education, architecture, automotive, and AR/VR.

• Active Community & Extensive Documentation
  Huge support network for troubleshooting and learning.

• Flexible Licensing
  Free tier available; affordable paid plans for professionals and enterprises.

Disadvantages of Unity

• Graphics Limitations for AAA
  While good, Unity’s rendering is generally not as advanced as Unreal’s for photorealistic graphics.

• Performance Overhead
  Can be less optimized for very large or complex 3D projects compared to some competitors.

• Fragmentation Issues
  Supporting many platforms sometimes causes inconsistencies and bugs.

• Paid Add-ons & Features
  Some advanced tools or services come with additional costs.

• Complex Projects Can Be Challenging
  Managing very large projects with many assets can be harder compared to engines built for AAA development.

Read More: How Much Does it Cost to Build a Mobile Game App?

Advantages and Disadvantages of Unreal Engine

Advantages of Unreal Engine

• Cutting-Edge Graphics
  Industry-leading photorealistic rendering with features like Nanite and Lumen.

• Blueprint Visual Scripting
  Allows designers and non-programmers to create complex gameplay without writing code.

• Powerful C++ Support
  Full access to C++ source code for deep customization and optimization.

• Robust Multiplayer & Networking
  Built-in systems for large-scale online multiplayer games.

• Scalable for Large Projects
  Handles massive open worlds, complex physics, and high-detail assets effectively.

• Used in Film & Virtual Production
  Widely adopted for real-time virtual sets and cinematic content beyond games.

• Free to Use with Royalty Model
  No upfront cost, with royalties only after your game earns above a certain threshold.

• Strong Official Support and Community
  Regular updates, extensive learning resources, and active forums.

Disadvantages of Unreal Engine

• Steeper Learning Curve
  More complex to learn, especially if you’re not familiar with C++.

• Heavier System Requirements
  Requires more powerful hardware for development and running games.

• Longer Build Times
  Larger project sizes can lead to slower compile and build processes.

• Less Ideal for Simple 2D or Mobile Games
  Overkill for small-scale or purely 2D mobile projects.

• Royalty Fees
  You pay a percentage of your revenue after passing a certain threshold, which might affect smaller developers.

Unity vs Unreal Engine: Which Game Engine Should You Choose?

Both Unity and Unreal Engine are the foremost choices when it comes to video game development. Each one of them has a dedicated community and a long list of chart-topping video game titles under its belt.

However, there are certain scenarios where one is better than the other. To understand that, let’s compare the two on the basis of various parameters. So, let us begin:

1.The Basics

Unreal Engine was launched in 1998 by Epic Games while Unity saw the light of day in 2005. Unity is developed by Unity Technologies.

Unlike Unreal Engine, which is a pseudo-open-source software since its source code is available as a reference for developers, Unity is a closed-source game development tool. Unity is developed using C# and C++. On the other hand, Unreal Engine is developed in C++ only.

2.Programming Languages

Unity leverages C# for the main Unity editor and plugins. It also uses Bolt and Prefab, which are its proprietary programming languages.

Dissimilar to Unity, Unreal uses C++ as its primary programming language. It also uses its proprietary video scripting language Blueprint to build a video game. As Unity is developed in C#, the game engine makes it easy for beginners to get started with it.

3.Graphics

Unreal comes with advanced graphics features. These are a material editor, global illumination, post-processing, physically-based rendering, and volumetric lights.

Unity has good graphics but they are not as advanced (and awesome) as Unreal. Moreover, the volumetric lights feature in Unity is available as an optional feature via a plugin.

4.Pricing

Unity has three pricing plans:

• Unity Personal – This plan of the gaming engine is free to use for earning up to $100k a year with the addition of a “Made in Unity” splash screen.
• Unity Plus – Opting for this plan costs $40 a month. It allows earning up to $200k/year and provides perks such as integration with collaboration tools and splash screen customization.
• Unity Pro – It costs $150 per month. This Unity pricing plan has no yearly revenue limit. It gets you all the features of Unity Plus with the inclusion of a high-end art asset pack and 3 extra seats.

In addition to these three plans, Unity Student Plan is also available. It makes Unity free for students enrolled at accredited educational institutions.

Unlike Unity, Unreal Engine has a simple no-tier pricing plan. It is free to use but for monetizing the games, the developer needs to pay 5% for video game titles that earn more than $1 million. The first $1 million, however, remains royalty-free.

5.Supported Platforms

Unity is intended for all three of the popular desktop operating systems, namely Linux, macOS, and Windows. The same holds true for Unreal. Although both game engines facilitate cross-platform integration, Unity offers more integrations than Unreal Engine.

Both platforms provide support for Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, PlayStation, SteamOS, Windows, and Xbox. While Unity allows game development for WebGL, Unreal facilitates HTML5 game development.

Unity enables developers to code a video game for Android TV, HoloLens, Nintendo Switch, Samsung Smart TV, Tizen, and Web Player.

6.2D vs 3D

One of the most important points to consider when choosing between Unreal Engine and Unity is the type of graphics that you require. Unity is the better choice for 2D game development as it has a simple UI and well-developed 2D tools.

Unreal Engine is developed for traditional graphics-laden first-person shooter games like Fortnite and Unreal Tournament. Therefore, you must go for Unreal Engine if you require a visually stunning 3D video game.

Bonus Read: How to Create a Mobile Game App?

Unity vs Unreal Engine: A Comparison Table

Unreal vs Unity: Which One to Choose?

Choosing between Unreal Engine and Unity depends on your project goals, team size, skill level, and target platform. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you decide:

Choose Unity If You:

1. Are you a Beginner or Indie Developer
   Unity’s interface and C# scripting are beginner-friendly. Great for small teams or solo devs.

2. Want to Build Mobile or 2D Games
   Unity dominates the mobile and 2D game markets due to lightweight builds and excellent optimization.

3. Need Quick Prototyping
   Rapid development cycles and a vast asset store help get ideas off the ground fast.

4. Work in AR/VR or Simulations
   Unity is widely used in industries outside gaming—like healthcare, architecture, and education.

Choose Unreal Engine If You:

1. Aim for AAA-Quality Visuals
   Unreal’s Nanite and Lumen tech offer ultra-realistic rendering—ideal for cinematic and high-end experiences.

2. Have Experience with C++ or Want Visual Scripting
   Unreal supports powerful C++ code and also Blueprint, a visual scripting system for non-coders.

3. Are Making a Large or Graphically Complex Game
   Unreal scales well for big projects with advanced features like real-time global illumination, complex physics, and large open worlds.

4. Plan to Enter Film, Architecture, or Virtual Production
   Unreal is increasingly used in Hollywood, virtual sets, and digital twins due to its rendering power.

Final Verdict: Unreal Vs. Unity

Unity vs Unreal Engine: Which Is Better?

Choosing which game engine is better depends largely on your project needs, experience level, and goals. Here’s a quick guide to help you decide:

When Unity is Better:

• Beginner-Friendly: Easier learning curve with C# scripting and an intuitive interface.

• Mobile & 2D Games: Optimized for mobile platforms and 2D projects.

• Rapid Prototyping: Great asset store and fast iteration cycles.

• Cross-Industry Use: Widely used in AR/VR, simulations, and non-gaming applications.

• Smaller Teams/Indie Devs: Ideal for small teams and solo developers due to simplicity and cost.

When Unreal Engine is Better:

• AAA & High-Fidelity Games: Best-in-class graphics with photorealistic rendering and advanced visual effects.

• C++ and Blueprint Flexibility: Powerful C++ coding with a visual scripting system for designers.

• Large-Scale Projects: Handles complex scenes, physics, and large open worlds smoothly.

• Film & Virtual Production: Used extensively in Hollywood for real-time rendering and virtual sets.

• Strong Multiplayer Support: Optimized for large-scale online multiplayer games.

Bonus Read: What are the Game App Development Stages?

Why Developers Prefer Unity and Unreal Engine?

Both Unity and Unreal Engine are among the most popular game engines in the industry, and developers choose them for distinct reasons based on their strengths.

Why Developers Prefer Unity?

1. Ease of Use & Learning Curve
   Unity’s intuitive interface and C# scripting make it accessible for beginners and indie developers.

2. Cross-Platform Support
   Unity supports over 25 platforms, including mobile (iOS, Android), consoles, VR/AR, web, and desktops, making it very versatile.

3. Strong 2D and Mobile Game Tools
   Unity excels in 2D game development and mobile optimization, which appeals to a large developer base.

4. Large Asset Store
   Access to thousands of pre-built assets, tools, and plugins speeds up development.

5. Rapid Prototyping
   Fast iteration and prototyping help developers test ideas quickly.

6. Community & Documentation
   A huge, active community and extensive documentation make troubleshooting and learning easier.

7. Non-Gaming Applications
   Used in industries like AR/VR training, simulations, architecture, and education, increasing its appeal.

Why Developers Prefer Unreal Engine?

1. Top-Tier Visual Fidelity
   Unreal’s powerful rendering capabilities deliver photorealistic graphics ideal for AAA games and cinematic experiences.

2. Blueprint Visual Scripting
   Enables designers and artists to build game logic without deep programming knowledge.

3. C++ Power & Flexibility
   Offers extensive control for programmers who want to optimize performance and customize systems.

4. Robust Multiplayer & Networking
   Built-in support for complex multiplayer games attracts developers targeting online experiences.

5. Scalability for Large Projects
   Handles massive open worlds, complex physics, and high-detail environments well.

6. Used in Film & Virtual Production
   Expands opportunities beyond gaming, attracting developers interested in digital filmmaking and real-time virtual sets.

7. Strong Official Support
   Epic Games provides regular updates, source code access, and active forums.

Unity vs Unreal Engine: Comparative Analysis

Real-World Examples of Unity and Unreal Engine

Let’s take a look at real-world examples of Unity and Unreal Engine:

Real-World Examples of Unity:

1. Pokémon GO (Niantic)

An AR-based mobile game that became a worldwide phenomenon, leveraging Unity’s strong AR and mobile capabilities.

2. Hollow Knight (Team Cherry)

A critically acclaimed indie 2D action-adventure game praised for its art style and smooth gameplay.

3. Cuphead (Studio MDHR)

Famous for its hand-drawn 1930s cartoon style, Cuphead uses Unity to deliver fluid animations and gameplay.

4. Ori and the Blind Forest (Moon Studios)

A beautiful 2D platformer with stunning visuals and smooth mechanics made using Unity.

5. Super Mario Run (Nintendo)

Nintendo’s official mobile Mario game built on Unity for iOS and Android.

Real-World Examples of Unreal Engine

1. Fortnite (Epic Games)

The hugely popular battle royale game that also showcases Unreal Engine’s power in online multiplayer and realistic graphics.

2. Gears of War Series (The Coalition)

Known for its gritty visuals and smooth gameplay, built using Unreal Engine since the first game.

3. Cyberpunk 2077 (CD Projekt Red)

A massive AAA RPG featuring cutting-edge graphics powered by Unreal Engine 4.

4. The Mandalorian (Virtual Sets)

Unreal Engine is used for real-time virtual production and visual effects in this hit Disney+ TV series.

5. Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice (Ninja Theory)

A visually stunning narrative-driven game known for its facial motion capture and immersive environment.

Leading Game Engines You Should Know About

Other than Unity and Unreal Engine, there are several game engines that can be used for developing a video game for different platforms. Let’s take a brief look at some of the best game engines so far:

• Amazon Lumberyard – It is a free cross-platform video game engine based on CryEngine. Released in 2016, Lumberyard forms the basis of Open 3D Engine, released in 2021, which is another free 3D game engine distributed under the Apache 2.0 License.
• Autodesk Maya – Popularly known by the mononym Maya, it is a 3D computer graphics application. It was originally developed by Alias Systems Corporation but is now developed and maintained by Autodesk, Inc. It is a popular tool not only for video game development but also for crafting assets for interactive 3D applications, animation films, and visual effects.
• Blender – Programmed using C, C++, and Python, Blender is a freely available open-source software for developing 3D graphics for animated films, interactive 3D apps, and 3D-printed models in addition to video games. It is available for Linux, macOS, and Windows.
• CryEngine – Developed by Crytek, CryEngine is a game engine that came into the limelight after the launch of the popular FPS game Far Cry. It follows a royalty model for commercial use. It was released in May of 2002.
• Havok – It is the gaming engine behind many popular video games like the Dark Souls series, Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and the Bioshock series. It was acquired by Microsoft.
• Pygame – Great option for Python developers. It is not a game engine, albeit a set of Python modules for coding video games using the Python programming language.

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Conclusion

When it comes to game development, Unity and Unreal Engine remain the most powerful and widely adopted platforms. Your choice between the two should be guided by your project scope, platform requirements, visual demands, and team expertise.

But no matter which engine you choose — the right development partner makes all the difference.

At Apptunix, a leading mobile game app development company, we bring your game ideas to life with end-to-end game development services. Whether you’re building a mobile game with Unity or a high-end console experience with Unreal, our team of experienced game developers, designers, and 3D artists ensures your vision is executed flawlessly. We’ve already delivered 500+ successful gaming apps across the globe, spanning genres like action, adventure, casual, puzzle, RPG, and more.

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• Custom game development in Unity & Unreal

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