Game Development · head to head
AppGameKit vs GDevelop
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; GDevelop the free tier allows 3 cloud projects and one desktop or Android build per day
- They diverge on capability: AppGameKit covers BASIC-like scripting, GDevelop covers Visual event editor.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which AppGameKit and GDevelop actually diverge.
| Attribute | AppGameKit | GDevelop |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Tvos | Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web |
| Founded | 2004 | 2010 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Game Development).
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
- Code compilation
Only in GDevelop
- Visual event editor
- Drag-and-drop interface
- Sprite editor
- Sound editor
- Scene editor
- Extensions support
- Firebase
- Discord
Both cover
- Physics engine
- Particle effects
- GitHub
- Local deployment
- Mobile deployment
- Windows support
- Macos support
- Linux support
- Ios support
- Android 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 GDevelop
- Cross-platform mobile game builds for iOS and Androidnot GDevelop
- Learning game programming in a BASIC-derived languagenot GDevelop
- Prototyping small games quicklynot GDevelop
GDevelop
- Building 2D games with visual event logic rather than codenot AppGameKit
- Exporting one project to web, desktop, Android and iOSnot 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
GDevelop
- The free tier allows 3 cloud projects and one desktop or Android build per day
- Free accounts get one leaderboard per game
- Publishing to the iOS App Store requires the Gold plan, which caps those exports at 15 a month
- AI credits are metered per tier, from 40 a month on free to 3,000 a week on Pro
Pricing, plan by plan
AppGameKit
Free- FreeFree
- Full editor
- Multi-platform export
- Built-in IDE
GDevelop
Free- FreeFree
- Full editor
- Cross-platform export
- Asset library
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.
Choose GDevelop if
- You need visual event editor.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
- You also want drag-and-drop interface.
Questions people ask
- Is AppGameKit or GDevelop better?
- Neither clearly leads. AppGameKit starts at Free and GDevelop at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, AppGameKit or GDevelop?
- AppGameKit starts at Free and GDevelop at Free.
- Does AppGameKit or GDevelop run on more platforms?
- AppGameKit runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Tvos. GDevelop runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
- 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 GDevelop is typically brought in for.
- What can AppGameKit do that GDevelop cannot?
- AppGameKit covers BASIC-like scripting, Visual sprite editor, Sound and music, Tile support. GDevelop covers Visual event editor, Drag-and-drop interface, Sprite editor, Sound editor. Both handle Physics engine, Particle effects, GitHub, Local deployment.