A visual novel engine is a package of code designed to simplify the programming of visual novels. They often provide default graphical user interfaces; utilities for displaying sprites, backgrounds, and music; and pre-built accessibility features.
General purpose game engines such as Gamemaker, Unity or Godot are not included in these lists.
Most popular engines
Other engines
Name |
Last Update |
Platforms |
Access
|
Belle |
2017 |
Web |
Open Source
|
CatSystem2 |
2016 |
Windows |
Free/Commercial
|
Dorian |
2023 |
iOS, Android |
Gated
|
KiriKiri Z |
2017 |
Windows, Android (Kirikiroid2) |
Open Source
|
Kocho |
2021 |
iOS, Android |
Free
|
libnpengine |
2019 |
|
|
Light.vn |
2024 |
Windows, Web, iOS, Android |
Free
|
LiveMaker |
2018 |
Windows |
Free
|
Monogatari |
2022 |
Web |
Open Source
|
Novelty |
2010 |
Windows |
Free
|
nScripter |
2018 |
Windows
|
NVList |
2022 |
Multiple |
Open Source
|
Om3ga Visual Novel Engine |
2018 |
|
Free
|
OpenEngine |
2024 |
|
Free
|
RenJS |
2022 |
Web |
Free
|
RichCast |
2023 |
Windows, macOS |
|
SEEVN 2 |
2021 |
Windows, macOS, Linux |
Free
|
Tuesday JS visual novel engine |
2023 |
Multiple |
Open Source
|
VNgen |
2020 |
|
Commercial
|
Narrat |
2024 |
Windows, macOS, Linux |
Free
|
Narrative engines & middleware
Name |
Last Update |
Platforms |
Access
|
Inky |
2023 |
Web |
Free
|
Twine |
2023 |
Windows, macOS, Linux |
Open Source
|
March22-Unity |
2019 |
Unity |
Open Source
|
Defunct engines
Guides
External links