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AppGameKit vs PlayFab

AppGameKit logo

AppGameKit

Software

Create cross-platform 2D games and apps

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
PlayFab logo

PlayFab

Software

Player data backend for games

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; PlayFab a title in development mode can only have up to 1,000 lifetime player account creations
  • They diverge on capability: AppGameKit covers BASIC-like scripting, PlayFab covers Player authentication.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which AppGameKit and PlayFab actually diverge.

Attributes where AppGameKit and PlayFab differ
AttributeAppGameKitPlayFab
Pricing modelfreefreemium
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, TvosCross-platform
Founded20041975

Identical on both: starting price (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
  • Physics engine
  • Sound and music
  • Particle effects
  • Tile support
  • Multi-platform export
  • Built-in debugger

Only in PlayFab

  • Player authentication
  • Data storage
  • Analytics
  • Multiplayer features
  • Economy system
  • Matchmaking
  • Cloud saves
  • Leaderboards

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 PlayFab
  • Cross-platform mobile game builds for iOS and Androidnot PlayFab
  • Learning game programming in a BASIC-derived languagenot PlayFab
  • Prototyping small games quicklynot PlayFab

PlayFab

  • Backend as a service for live games, covering accounts, leaderboards and player datanot AppGameKit
  • Hosting dedicated multiplayer game servers on Azurenot AppGameKit
  • LiveOps, in-game economy and player segmentation for game studiosnot 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

PlayFab

  • A title in development mode can only have up to 1,000 lifetime player account creations
  • Multiplayer server costs are billed per VM compute hour on Azure virtual machines and vary by region and VM family
  • Network egress is charged per GB and varies by zone, at $0.05 in Zone 1, $0.08 in Zone 2 and $0.20 in Zone 3
  • Pricing is consumption based across a set of separate meters rather than a flat plan
  • The vendor states prices are subject to change and that actual costs depend on the PlayFab plan and usage

Pricing, plan by plan

AppGameKit

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

PlayFab

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 100K monthly active users
    • Basic API
    • Player authentication
  • Professional$100/month
    • Unlimited MAU
    • Advanced features
    • Priority support

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 PlayFab if

  • You need player authentication.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Cross-platform.
  • You also want data storage.
PlayFab review

Questions people ask

Is AppGameKit or PlayFab better?
Neither clearly leads. AppGameKit starts at Free and PlayFab at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, AppGameKit or PlayFab?
AppGameKit starts at Free and PlayFab at Free.
Does AppGameKit or PlayFab run on more platforms?
AppGameKit runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Tvos. PlayFab runs on Cross-platform.
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 PlayFab is typically brought in for.
What can AppGameKit do that PlayFab cannot?
AppGameKit covers BASIC-like scripting, Visual sprite editor, Physics engine, Sound and music. PlayFab covers Player authentication, Data storage, Analytics, Multiplayer features.
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