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Aseprite vs GameMaker Studio 2

Aseprite logo

Aseprite

Software

Animated sprite editor and pixel art tool

From
$19.99/once
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
GameMaker Studio 2 logo

GameMaker Studio 2

Software

The fastest way to create games. For everyone.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only GameMaker Studio 2 has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Aseprite a one-off purchase with no free tier, only a trial; GameMaker Studio 2 the free tier is a non-commercial licence; selling a game requires the Professional licence at $99.99
  • They diverge on capability: Aseprite covers Pixel art tools, GameMaker Studio 2 covers Drag-and-drop interface.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Aseprite and GameMaker Studio 2 actually diverge.

Attributes where Aseprite and GameMaker Studio 2 differ
AttributeAsepriteGameMaker Studio 2
Starting price$19.99/onceFree
Pricing modelone-timefreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, Macos, LinuxWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, Switch
Founded20011999

Identical on both: 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 Aseprite

  • Pixel art tools
  • Animation timeline
  • Onion skinning
  • Layers
  • Tilemap editor
  • Color palettes
  • Sprite sheets
  • Scripting (Lua)

Only in GameMaker Studio 2

  • Drag-and-drop interface
  • GML programming language
  • Sprite editor
  • Animation frames
  • Sound editor
  • Room editor
  • Particle effects
  • Physics system

Both cover

  • Local deployment
  • Windows support
  • Macos support
  • Linux support

What people use each for

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

Aseprite

  • Pixel art creation for gamesnot GameMaker Studio 2
  • Frame-by-frame sprite animationnot GameMaker Studio 2
  • Exporting sprite sheets and GIFsnot GameMaker Studio 2
  • Scripting repetitive export tasks through the command linenot GameMaker Studio 2

GameMaker Studio 2

  • Building 2D games for desktop, web and mobilenot Aseprite
  • Indie game development with a drag and drop and GML scripting workflownot Aseprite
  • Publishing to consoles under an Enterprise subscriptionnot Aseprite

Where each one falls short

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

Aseprite

  • A one-off purchase with no free tier, only a trial
  • Deliberately narrow: a pixel art and sprite animation editor rather than a general image editor
  • The site does not state supported platforms or licence terms, which are on GitHub instead

GameMaker Studio 2

  • The free tier is a non-commercial licence; selling a game requires the Professional licence at $99.99
  • Console exports are available only on the Enterprise subscription, which is billed at $79.49 per month
  • Source code access is limited to the Enterprise tier
  • Older Creator and Indie subscriptions are no longer renewed when the licence expires
  • Owners of a permanent GameMaker Studio 2 licence get no discount toward current licences

Pricing, plan by plan

Aseprite

$19.99/once
  • License$19.99/once
    • Full feature set
    • Free updates
    • Commercial use

GameMaker Studio 2

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Desktop game creation
    • Community support
    • Standard export options
  • Pro$99/year
    • All Free features
    • Advanced export modules
    • Mobile platforms

Which should you pick?

Choose Aseprite if

  • You need pixel art tools.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux.
  • You also want animation timeline.
Aseprite review

Choose GameMaker Studio 2 if

  • You need drag-and-drop interface.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, Switch.
  • You also want gml programming language.
GameMaker Studio 2 review

Questions people ask

Is Aseprite or GameMaker Studio 2 better?
Neither clearly leads. Aseprite starts at $19.99/once and GameMaker Studio 2 at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Aseprite or GameMaker Studio 2?
GameMaker Studio 2 has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $19.99/once for Aseprite and Free for GameMaker Studio 2.
Does Aseprite or GameMaker Studio 2 run on more platforms?
Aseprite runs on Windows, Macos, Linux. GameMaker Studio 2 runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, Switch.
Can I use GameMaker Studio 2 for free?
Yes. GameMaker Studio 2 has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Aseprite starts at $19.99/once.
What is Aseprite best used for?
Aseprite is most often used for pixel art creation for games, frame-by-frame sprite animation, exporting sprite sheets and gifs, scripting repetitive export tasks through the command line. Of those, pixel art creation for games and frame-by-frame sprite animation are not what GameMaker Studio 2 is typically brought in for.
What can Aseprite do that GameMaker Studio 2 cannot?
Aseprite covers Pixel art tools, Animation timeline, Onion skinning, Layers. GameMaker Studio 2 covers Drag-and-drop interface, GML programming language, Sprite editor, Animation frames. Both handle Local deployment, Windows support, Macos support, Linux support.
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