raylib
Simple open-source C library for programming video games and graphics applications.
Liked as an easy, code-first alternative to full game engines123 that takes care of platform-specific chores and runs on Mac, Linux, Windows and in the browser via WASM.45 The most common caveat is that it leaves a lot for you to build from scratch67, such as good shadows, which led one developer to consider migrating to bevy.8
Why people recommend it
Code over engines · 3
Fits developers who want to make games in code rather than through an engine GUI.
“I tried raylib and I love it”
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“The techs: Rust, raylib, JoltPhysics.”
Ease of use · 3
Commenters find it easy and fun to write a game with it.
“it is quite easy to code a game using Raylib”
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“raylib (the goat)”
Cross-platform · 2
It handles platform-specific work and builds for desktop and the browser via WASM.
“Both Rust and Raylib let me compile and run the game locally on Mac/Linux/Windows and in the browser via WASM.”
Language bindings · 3
Commenters use it from Rust and Go.
“Both Rust and Raylib let me compile and run the game locally on Mac/Linux/Windows and in the browser via WASM.”
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“The techs: Rust, raylib, JoltPhysics.”
Caveats and dissent
Build from scratch · 3
Like most game frameworks, it leaves many features for the developer to build.
“I tried raylib and I love it”
Show 1 more
“The techs: Rust, raylib, JoltPhysics.”
Still an engine · 1
One commenter notes it is itself a simpler game engine, not an escape from using one.
“If you're talking about using raylib, that is also a game engine, just a simpler one.”
Often compared with
Who recommends it in their own words
Threads where it came up
- Raylib v6.0 2 mentions
- Ask HN: What are you working on? (September 2026) 1 mention
- Ask HN: What Are You Working On? (July 2026) 1 mention
- Show HN: M. C. Escher spiral in WebGL inspired by 3Blue1Brown 1 mention
- macOS code injection for fun and no profit (2024) 1 mention
- Minecraft Java is switching from OpenGL to Vulkan 1 mention
Also written as Raylib. Data: raylib.json. Quotes are verbatim; the verdict and theme labels are written by a model from these comments, and every clause links to its sources.
All comments 8
“Both Rust and Raylib let me compile and run the game locally on Mac/Linux/Windows and in the browser via WASM.”
“The techs: Rust, raylib, JoltPhysics.”
“I tried raylib and I love it”
“Can highly recommend.”
“If you're talking about using raylib, that is also a game engine, just a simpler one.”
“folks typically use a library. See Unreal Engine, raylib, godot, qt, etc.”
“raylib (the goat)”
“it is quite easy to code a game using Raylib”