Unreal Engine is free to download and can be accessed through the official Unreal Engine website or the Epic Games Launcher.

Before you dive in, there are a few technical requirements and hardware considerations to keep in mind:

1. System Requirements

Unreal Engine is a powerful, professional-grade tool and can be very demanding on your hardware. To ensure your computer can handle the software, review the official Hardware and Software Specifications.

2. Supported Platforms

You can develop within Unreal Engine using Windows or macOS. Once your project is ready, the engine allows you to "deploy" (export) your work to various platforms, including:

  • Desktop: PC and Mac

  • Mobile: Android and iOS

  • Consoles: PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch

  • Immersive: VR and AR headsets

3. Additional Requirements for Deployment

While the engine is free, deploying to specific platforms often requires extra tools or legal permissions. For example, if you want to build an iOS application, you will need:

  • Mac Hardware: Required for the final build process.

  • Xcode: Apple’s specialised development software.

  • Apple Developer License: A paid membership required to publish on the App Store.