WebGL vs OpenGL

Difference Between WebGL vs OpenGL

WebGL is abbreviated as Web Graphics Library. It is mainly designed for rendering two-dimensional graphics and Interactive three-dimensional graphics. It is Javascript API that can be used with HTML5. The original author of WebGL is Mozilla foundations but it was developed by Khronos WebGL Working group. It was initially released in the year 2011. It supports cross-platform and it is available in English language only.

The WebGL programs consist of control code that is written in JavaScript. There are many advantages of using WebGL, as WebGL applications are written in javascript, with help of these applications there can be direct interaction with other elements of the HTML document. It provides the support to all browsers and mobile browsers as well like IOS safari, android browser etc.

It is open source and can access the code easily. There is no need to compile the code for WebGL applications. It supports automatic memory management, there is no need of manual memory allocation. There is no need for additional setup and for developing the web application text editor and browser is required only.

OpenGL is called as Open Graphics Library. It is referred to as cross-language and platform application programming interface for rendering the two dimensional and three-dimensional vector graphics. The original author of OpenGL was Silicon Graphics. It was developed by Khronos Group. It was initially released in the year 1992 and it was written in the C language.

OpenGL API is used to interact with GPU (graphics processing unit) to get the hardware accelerated rendering and OpenGL applications mainly used in the computer-aided design, virtual reality, visualization, video games etc. OpenGL commands or shaders are written GLSL like vertex, geometry, fragment etc. OpenGL provides many functionalities like extensions. In OpenGL, there is a fixed function pipeline which makes it better for developers to use this for web applications.

Head to Head Comparison between WebGL vs OpenGL (Infographics)

Below is the top 6 difference between WebGL vs OpenGL :

Key Differences between WebGL vs OpenGL

Both WebGL vs OpenGL are popular choices in the market; let us discuss some of the major Difference Between WebGL vs OpenGL :

1. WebGL is based on OpenGL ES which lacks the many features that regular OpenGL is having like it supports only vertex and fragment shaders. OpenGL has features that are not in WebGL like geometry shaders, tessellation shaders, and compute shaders.
2. WebGL is mainly used for browsers. OpenGL do need native drivers and is mainly oriented to install software.
3. WebGL is used for web applications and OpenGL is used for many video games.
4. WebGL is easier to learn and develop the applications. OpenGL can be learned easily, if once you are familiar with WebGL.
5. In WebGL, it can fake 3D texture with help of using 2D texture. In OpenGL, it is not required to do as it has a lot of features like geometry and shaders.
6. In WebGL, it is forced to learn use shaders and buffers from the start. In OpenGL, it is not like that.
7. WebGL has less learning curve as it has fewer features. OpenGL has a bigger learning curve as it is having a lot of features including WebGL has.
8. WebGL is based on OpenGL ES 2 which is not plain OpenGL. OpenGL ES is the subset of OpenGL. OpenGL ES has fewer capabilities and is very simpler to a user. OpenGL has lot capabilities and difficult to use.

WebGL vs OpenGL Comparison Table

Below is the top Comparison between WebGL vs OpenGL –

Conclusion – WebGL vs OpenGL

OpenGL vs WebGL both are graphics library to render two dimensional and three-dimensional graphics. WebGL is being used in HTML canvas element, it means can be incorporated with HTML language. WebGL is easy to learn as it is simple and easy to use in javascript and Html. OpenGL does require good knowledge to work with and develop the application.

Both OpenGL vs WebGL are having advantages and disadvantages. The selection of graphics library can be done on the basis of requirements, scalability and future vision for the application. It means it is always necessary to learn, explore and use the different technologies to develop and upgrade the skill set.

Recommended Articles

This has been a guide to the top difference between WebGL vs OpenGL. Here we also discuss the WebGL vs OpenGL key differences with infographics, and comparison table. You may also have a look at the following articles to learn more –

1. SASS vs SCSS – Top 9 Differences
2. XHTML vs HTML5
3. JavaScript vs JQuery – Best 10 Differences
4. C vs C++
5. SASS or CSS