Software · head to head
Armory3D vs Stencyl
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Armory3D compiled binaries are sold to fund the project while the source code itself is free to build from scratch; Stencyl the free Starter tier can publish to the web only
- They diverge on capability: Armory3D covers Blender integration, Stencyl covers Visual block programming.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Armory3D and Stencyl actually diverge.
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 Armory3D
- Blender integration
- 3D graphics rendering
- Physics engine (Bullet)
- Audio system
- Haxe scripting
- Particle effects
- Skeletal animation
- Material system
Only in Stencyl
- Visual block programming
- Drag-and-drop interface
- Physics engine
- Sprite animation
- Sound and music
- Tilemap editor
- Actor system
- Haxe support
Both cover
- Local deployment
- Web deployment
- Mobile deployment
- Windows support
- Macos support
- Linux support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Armory3D
- 3D game developmentnot Stencyl
- Blender-based gamesnot Stencyl
- Web gamesnot Stencyl
Stencyl
- Building 2D games with visual block based logicnot Armory3D
- Publishing the same project to web, desktop and mobilenot Armory3D
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Armory3D
- Compiled binaries are sold to fund the project while the source code itself is free to build from scratch
Stencyl
- The free Starter tier can publish to the web only
- Desktop publishing requires the Indie plan at $99 a year
- iOS and Android publishing require the Studio plan at $199 a year
- Licences are annual, so continuing to publish means continuing to pay
Pricing, plan by plan
Armory3D
Free- FreeFree
- Full engine
- Blender integration
- 3D graphics
Stencyl
Free- FreeFree
- Full editor access
- Desktop export
- Mobile export
Which should you pick?
Choose Armory3D if
- You need blender integration.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Html5, Android.
- You also want 3d graphics rendering.
Choose Stencyl if
- You need visual block programming.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Flash.
- You also want drag-and-drop interface.
Questions people ask
- Is Armory3D or Stencyl better?
- Neither clearly leads. Armory3D starts at Free and Stencyl at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Armory3D or Stencyl?
- Armory3D starts at Free and Stencyl at Free.
- Does Armory3D or Stencyl run on more platforms?
- Armory3D runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Html5, Android. Stencyl runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Flash.
- Can I use Armory3D for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Armory3D best used for?
- Armory3D is most often used for 3d game development, blender-based games, web games. Of those, 3d game development and blender-based games are not what Stencyl is typically brought in for.
- What can Armory3D do that Stencyl cannot?
- Armory3D covers Blender integration, 3D graphics rendering, Physics engine (Bullet), Audio system. Stencyl covers Visual block programming, Drag-and-drop interface, Physics engine, Sprite animation. Both handle Local deployment, Web deployment, Mobile deployment, Windows support.