# MonoGame review, pricing and alternatives

Source: https://listme.name/software/monogame
Website: https://monogame.net/

Open source C# framework for cross-platform 2D and 3D games

MonoGame is an open source C# framework for building 2D and 3D games on desktop, mobile and consoles. It is released under the Microsoft Public License (Ms-PL), and the MonoGame Foundation maintains it.

MonoGame is a code-first framework for C# developers, used from Visual Studio, Visual Studio Code and JetBrains Rider. It targets Windows, macOS and Linux on desktop, and Android, iOS and iPadOS on mobile. It also supports PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch for developers authorized by those platform holders.

The Ms-PL is an OSI-approved open source license that allows commercial use. The MonoGame Foundation posted news in September 2026, and the repository had commits in October 2026. Console targets need separate platform authorization, so console releases involve steps beyond the framework itself.

- Free and open source | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, iPadOS | open source (Ms-PL)
- Price: Ms-PL licensed; console targets need platform holder authorization
- Checked: 2026-10-10

## Strengths

- Ms-PL license with commercial use allowed
- One C# codebase for desktop and mobile
- News and commits active through 2026

## Limits

- Console access needs platform authorization
- A framework rather than an editor, so level tools come from elsewhere

## Rankings

- #8 of 12 in [best Game engines](https://listme.name/best/game-engines), score 84.5: Ms-PL licensed C# framework covering desktop, mobile and consoles from one codebase. Console access requires platform authorization, and it is a framework rather than an editor.

## Alternatives

- [Godot Engine](https://listme.name/software/godot), score 94.0
- [Unity](https://listme.name/software/unity), score 92.5
- [Unreal Engine](https://listme.name/software/unreal-engine), score 91.5
- [Defold](https://listme.name/software/defold), score 89.5
- [GameMaker](https://listme.name/software/gamemaker), score 88.0
- [Cocos Creator](https://listme.name/software/cocos-creator), score 86.5
- [Bevy](https://listme.name/software/bevy), score 85.5
- [O3DE](https://listme.name/software/o3de), score 81.5