Unity and Unreal Engine are the two dominant game engines. Both can ship mobile games, but they suit different projects. Here is how we decide at our studio.
Unity
- Language: C#.
- Strengths: lightweight builds, excellent mobile tooling, a huge asset store, fast iteration and a very large developer community.
- Best for: casual, puzzle, hyper-casual, 2D and stylised 3D games, plus AR apps.
Unreal Engine
- Language: C++ and visual Blueprints.
- Strengths: outstanding visual fidelity, powerful lighting and rendering, and strong cinematic tools.
- Best for: high-end 3D games, realistic environments, architectural visualisation and VR experiences.
Comparison on what matters for mobile
Performance and app size
Unity builds are typically smaller and run well on a wide range of devices. Unreal can achieve stunning results but needs more optimisation for mid-range phones.
Development speed
Unity is usually faster for small teams and simple games. Unreal shines when visual quality is the selling point.
Hiring and support
Unity developers are easier to find for mobile projects. Unreal talent is more common in console and PC.
Our choice
All ten TASC Velocity games use Unity because they are mobile-first casual, puzzle, racing and simulation titles. We use Unreal for high-fidelity 3D property walkthroughs and immersive experiences.
See our game development and 3D visualization services.
Frequently asked questions
Is Unity free?
Unity offers a free tier for smaller developers and paid plans above revenue thresholds. Check the current terms before starting.
Can Unreal make 2D games?
It can, but Unity is generally more efficient for 2D projects.
Can I switch engines mid-project?
It is rarely worth it, as most code and setup must be rebuilt. Decide early.