Visual Novel Engines
A list of Visual Novel Engines. Compare major tools that improve development efficiency.
| No | Name | GitHub Stars | Description | Trend | License | Language | Official Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ren'Py | ⭐ 5.7k | The Ren'Py Visual Novel Engine is an open source tool used by thousands of creators worldwide. Famous games like 'Doki Doki Literature Club!' were made with Ren'Py. | Latest release 8.4.0 'Tomorrowland' in July 2025. Remains the industry standard with years of proven reliability. | MIT | Python | Official |
| 2 | TyranoScript | ⭐ 482 | Free visual novel engine that works with HTML and JavaScript. Supports multiple platforms including Windows, Mac, smartphones, and browser games. | Over 20,000 works created. One of the most popular visual novel engines in Japan with active community events. | Free (Commercial Use OK) | JavaScript | Official |
| 3 | TyranoBuilder | - | Visual novel development tool with drag-and-drop interface. No programming required, perfect for beginners. | Available in free and PRO versions with multi-platform support. Maintains high popularity as a beginner-friendly tool. | Free/Commercial | JavaScript | Official |
| 4 | Naninovel | - | Comprehensive visual novel engine built on Unity. Designed for scriptwriters with advanced features and flexibility. | Stable version 1.20 released July 2025, with preview 1.21 expected Q4 2025. Popular among Unity developers. | Commercial | C# | Official |
| 5 | WebGAL | ⭐ 3.3k | Web-based visual novel engine for code-free creation. Supports advanced effects through Pixi.js integration. | Open source and completely free. Web-first design enables cross-platform compatibility. | MPL-2.0 | TypeScript | Official |
| 6 | Monogatari | ⭐ 784 | Simple web visual novel engine designed for browsers. Features responsive design and Progressive Web App support. | Leverages modern web technologies with offline play support. Popular among web developers. | MIT | JavaScript | Official |
| 7 | Fungus | ⭐ 1.8k | Free Unity library for creating visual novels and interactive fiction. Features visual scripting for non-programmers. | Available on Unity Asset Store. Ideal for creating complex branching narratives and interactions. | MIT | C# | Official |
| 8 | Godot + Dialogic | ⭐ 4.7k | Dialog system plugin for Godot Engine. Supports both visual and text-based timeline editors. | Requires Godot 4.3+. Open source and completely free with high customizability. | MIT | GDScript | Official |
| 9 | Visual Novel Maker | - | Commercial visual novel creation tool for beginners. Includes built-in assets and templates. | From the makers of RPG Maker series. Known for its beginner-friendly interface. | Commercial | JavaScript | Official |
| 10 | ラノゲツクールMV | - | Light novel game creation software by KADOKAWA. Features drag-and-drop operation for easy development. | Commercial tool optimized for Japanese market. Easy to use for beginners with extensive command buttons. | Commercial | JavaScript | Official |