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Game Development · head to head

Bevy vs Stencyl

Bevy logo

Bevy

Game Development

A refreshingly simple data-driven game engine built in Rust

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Stencyl logo

Stencyl

Game Development

Create games with visual programming

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Bevy rust only, so it assumes a language most game teams do not already use; Stencyl the free Starter tier can publish to the web only
  • They diverge on capability: Bevy covers Entity Component System, Stencyl covers Visual block programming.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Bevy and Stencyl actually diverge.

Attributes where Bevy and Stencyl differ
AttributeBevyStencyl
Pricing modelfreesubscription
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, WebglWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Flash
Founded20202011

Identical on both: starting price (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 Bevy

  • Entity Component System
  • 2D/3D rendering
  • Audio system
  • Asset pipeline
  • Hot reloading
  • Cross-platform
  • Modular architecture
  • Parallel systems

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
  • Windows support
  • Macos support
  • Linux support

What people use each for

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

Bevy

  • 2D and 3D game development in Rustnot Stencyl
  • Data-driven design using an entity component systemnot Stencyl
  • Shipping to Windows, macOS, Linux, web, iOS and Android from one codebasenot Stencyl
  • Projects wanting a permissive licence with no royalties or feesnot Stencyl

Stencyl

  • Game development for independent creatorsnot Bevy
  • Cross-platform game publishing (iOS, Android, Web, Desktop)not Bevy
  • Indie game studio platformnot Bevy

Where each one falls short

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

Bevy

  • Rust only, so it assumes a language most game teams do not already use
  • No visual editor of the kind Unity or Godot provide, so scenes and logic are written in code
  • Built around ECS, which is a different mental model from the scene-graph engines most developers come from

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

Bevy

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Full engine access
    • ECS architecture
    • Hot reloading

Stencyl

Free
  • Starter (Free)Free
    • Publish to Web only
    • Includes Stencyl branding splash screen
  • Indie$99/year
    • Publish to Web and Desktop (Windows, Mac, Linux)
    • Early access to latest releases
    • No watermarks or forced Stencyl branding
  • Studio (Most Popular)$199/year
    • Publish to iOS, Android, Web and Desktop
    • Early access to latest releases
    • No watermarks or forced Stencyl branding

Which should you pick?

Choose Bevy if

  • You need entity component system.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Webgl.
  • You also want 2d/3d rendering.
Bevy review

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.
Stencyl review

Questions people ask

Is Bevy or Stencyl better?
Neither clearly leads. Bevy 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, Bevy or Stencyl?
Bevy starts at Free and Stencyl at Free.
Does Bevy or Stencyl run on more platforms?
Bevy runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Webgl. Stencyl runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Flash.
Can I use Bevy for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Bevy best used for?
Bevy is most often used for 2d and 3d game development in rust, data-driven design using an entity component system, shipping to windows, macos, linux, web, ios and android from one codebase, projects wanting a permissive licence with no royalties or fees. Of those, 2d and 3d game development in rust and data-driven design using an entity component system are not what Stencyl is typically brought in for.
What can Bevy do that Stencyl cannot?
Bevy covers Entity Component System, 2D/3D rendering, Audio system, Asset pipeline. Stencyl covers Visual block programming, Drag-and-drop interface, Physics engine, Sprite animation. Both handle Local deployment, Web deployment, Windows support, Macos support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Bevy: How much does Bevy Engine cost?

Bevy is 100% free, forever. There are no licensing fees, contracts, or sales cuts, whether for development, deployment, or commercial use.

Source
Stencyl: How much does Stencyl cost?

Stencyl offers a free Starter plan, Indie at $99/year, and Studio at $199/year. All platforms include annual subscriptions with no royalties or per-game fees.

Source
Bevy: Is Bevy Engine open source?

Yes. Bevy is open source under the permissive MIT or Apache 2.0 licenses, meaning you can use, modify, and distribute it freely.

Source
Stencyl: What platforms can I publish to with each Stencyl plan?

Starter publishes to Web only. Indie adds Desktop (Windows, Mac, Linux). Studio includes all Indie platforms plus iOS and Android mobile.

Source
Bevy: Are there any hidden costs with Bevy Engine?

No. Bevy has no license fees, contracts, or hidden charges. It is community-driven and funded through voluntary donations rather than commercial licensing.

Source
Stencyl: Does Stencyl offer a money-back guarantee?

Yes, both Indie and Studio plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee from the date of purchase, provided you have not published any games.

Source
Stencyl: Can I use Stencyl after my subscription expires?

Yes, your games will continue to work after your subscription expires. However, you cannot publish new games or updates without an active subscription.

Source
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