Say you want to make a small 3D air hockey game but have never written code. GDevelop is a free game engine for Windows from the GDevelop Team that is built around that situation. Version 5.6.287 was released on November 4, 2026.
Making a game without writing code
The problem GDevelop addresses is the entry barrier of game development. The project describes itself as a no-code engine and claims it is 10x easier and faster than other tools, which is the developer's own claim and not something we measured.
The page lists no feature breakdown beyond that, so the core idea is simple: you assemble a game without programming it by hand.
Publishing to iOS, Android, Steam and the web
The developer says a finished game can go to iOS, Android, Steam, web and other gaming platforms. It also says you can build from anywhere, including on a phone.
The 5.6.287 changelog adds a free 3D Air Hockey example and updates the 3D tank, haunted house and GTA starters. It also adds three audio packs from Elv: Electronic Game Music, 8-BIT Battle Music and 16-BIT RPG Music.
What to check before installing the 148.1 MB build
The Windows installer weighs 148.1 MB. GDevelop is MIT licensed and free, though premium game templates and Gold, Pro and Education plans are available as paid subscriptions.
The file is fetched from github.com, the official server, so the download starts there rather than from a copy kept on our side.
What's new in 5.6.287
Version 5.6.287 fixes a performance issue on Windows with some GPUs by disabling stencil buffer resolution in render targets. Gold and Pro subscribers now get a free game template each month, and templates and asset packs can be bought as gifts.
GDevelop pros and cons
Pros
- Free to download, with an MIT license
- No-code approach aimed at people who do not program
- Publishing targets include iOS, Android, Steam and web
- Fix for Windows performance on some GPUs in this version
- New free 3D Air Hockey example and three audio packs
Cons
- Premium templates and subscription plans appear in the changelog
- Some game templates and the Gold, Pro and Education plans are paid
- The installer is 148.1 MB
Is GDevelop safe?
The file comes from github.com, the official host, and the publisher is the GDevelop Team. The license is MIT, so the source is open. No independent security review is available, so scan the installer yourself as with any download.
How to install GDevelop
- Press the download button to get the official file.
- Run the installer you saved and confirm the Windows security prompt if the publisher matches.
- Follow the setup steps, then start GDevelop from the Start menu.
