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AppGameKit vs Flax Engine

AppGameKit logo

AppGameKit

Software

Create cross-platform 2D games and apps

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Flax Engine logo

Flax Engine

Software

Modern 3D game engine with visual editor

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: AppGameKit exports to Windows, iOS and Android only, so there is no macOS, Linux or console target; Flax Engine flax charges a 4% royalty on game earnings above $250,000, assessed per calendar quarter
  • They diverge on capability: AppGameKit covers BASIC-like scripting, Flax Engine covers 3D graphics rendering.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which AppGameKit and Flax Engine actually diverge.

Attributes where AppGameKit and Flax Engine differ
AttributeAppGameKitFlax Engine
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, TvosWindows, Linux, Playstation, Xbox
Founded20042017

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in AppGameKit

  • BASIC-like scripting
  • Visual sprite editor
  • Sound and music
  • Tile support
  • Multi-platform export
  • Built-in debugger
  • Visual Studio Code
  • GitHub

Only in Flax Engine

  • 3D graphics rendering
  • Visual editor
  • C# scripting
  • Audio system
  • Skeletal animation
  • Material system
  • Lighting system
  • C#

Both cover

  • Physics engine
  • Particle effects
  • Local deployment
  • Windows support
  • Linux support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

AppGameKit

  • 2D and 3D game development from a single codebasenot Flax Engine
  • Cross-platform mobile game builds for iOS and Androidnot Flax Engine
  • Learning game programming in a BASIC-derived languagenot Flax Engine
  • Prototyping small games quicklynot Flax Engine

Flax Engine

  • Building 3D games in C# and C++ with full engine source accessnot AppGameKit
  • Multi-platform deployment from one editornot AppGameKit
  • Prototyping with the bundled Flax Samples projectsnot AppGameKit

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

AppGameKit

  • Exports to Windows, iOS and Android only, so there is no macOS, Linux or console target
  • The price is not shown on the product page and the product is sold through Steam
  • The vendor describes it as their last outing for traditional programming languages before AI-driven development, which is a poor signal for long-term support
  • appgamekit.com now redirects into the darkbasic.com site

Flax Engine

  • Flax charges a 4% royalty on game earnings above $250,000, assessed per calendar quarter
  • Free use is granted for non-commercial or educational usage; commercial releases fall under the royalty
  • Users must accept the Flax Engine End-User License Agreement before using the engine or its tools, so it is not an OSI open source licence despite the source being on GitHub
  • Non-game uses such as in-house tools or SaaS products need a custom licence negotiated with the vendor, and no rate card is published for per-seat or flat-fee options

Pricing, plan by plan

AppGameKit

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full editor
    • Multi-platform export
    • Built-in IDE

Flax Engine

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full engine
    • Visual editor
    • C# scripting

Which should you pick?

Choose AppGameKit if

  • You need basic-like scripting.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Tvos.
  • You also want visual sprite editor.
AppGameKit review

Choose Flax Engine if

  • You need 3d graphics rendering.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Linux, Playstation, Xbox.
  • You also want visual editor.
Flax Engine review

Questions people ask

Is AppGameKit or Flax Engine better?
Neither clearly leads. AppGameKit starts at Free and Flax Engine at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, AppGameKit or Flax Engine?
AppGameKit starts at Free and Flax Engine at Free.
Does AppGameKit or Flax Engine run on more platforms?
AppGameKit runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Tvos. Flax Engine runs on Windows, Linux, Playstation, Xbox.
Can I use AppGameKit for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is AppGameKit best used for?
AppGameKit is most often used for 2d and 3d game development from a single codebase, cross-platform mobile game builds for ios and android, learning game programming in a basic-derived language, prototyping small games quickly. Of those, 2d and 3d game development from a single codebase and cross-platform mobile game builds for ios and android are not what Flax Engine is typically brought in for.
What can AppGameKit do that Flax Engine cannot?
AppGameKit covers BASIC-like scripting, Visual sprite editor, Sound and music, Tile support. Flax Engine covers 3D graphics rendering, Visual editor, C# scripting, Audio system. Both handle Physics engine, Particle effects, Local deployment, Windows support.
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