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Game Development · head to head

Buildbox vs GameMaker Studio 2

Buildbox logo

Buildbox

Game Development

Game creation platform for everyone

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
GameMaker Studio 2 logo

GameMaker Studio 2

Game Development

The fastest way to create games. For everyone.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Buildbox buildbox splits its editor into two separate paid product lines, Buildbox Classic and Buildbox 3, priced and sold as different products rather than tiers of one app (archived pricing page, 8 March 2026); 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: Buildbox covers Visual game builder, GameMaker Studio 2 covers GML programming language.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Buildbox and GameMaker Studio 2 differ
AttributeBuildboxGameMaker Studio 2
PlatformsIos, Android, Windows, MacosWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, Switch
Founded20151999

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), 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 Buildbox

  • Visual game builder
  • Physics engine
  • Animation system
  • Monetization SDK
  • Analytics integration
  • Cloud compilation
  • Template library
  • AdMob

Only in GameMaker Studio 2

  • GML programming language
  • Sprite editor
  • Animation frames
  • Sound editor
  • Room editor
  • Particle effects
  • Physics system
  • GitHub

Both cover

  • Drag-and-drop interface
  • Mobile deployment
  • Ios support
  • Windows support
  • Macos support

What people use each for

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

Buildbox

  • Mobile game creationnot GameMaker Studio 2
  • Casual gamesnot GameMaker Studio 2
  • Monetized gamesnot GameMaker Studio 2

GameMaker Studio 2

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

Where each one falls short

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

Buildbox

  • Buildbox splits its editor into two separate paid product lines, Buildbox Classic and Buildbox 3, priced and sold as different products rather than tiers of one app (archived pricing page, 8 March 2026)
  • Buildbox Classic Plus is $57.99 USD per year and Buildbox Classic Pro is $137.99 USD per year; Buildbox 3 Plus is $97.99 USD per year and Buildbox 3 Pro is $297.99 USD per year, with a companion audio tool Soundbox sold separately at $49.99 USD per year (archived pricing page, 8 March 2026)
  • The only bundle combining Buildbox 3 Pro, Buildbox Classic Pro, and Soundbox is a separate $447.99 USD per year Ultimate Bundle rather than a natural upgrade path (archived pricing page, 8 March 2026)

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

Buildbox

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Basic game creation
    • Mobile export
    • Community support
  • Premium$19.99/month
    • Advanced features
    • Monetization tools
    • Custom integrations

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 Buildbox if

  • You need visual game builder.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Ios, Android, Windows, Macos.
  • You also want physics engine.
Buildbox review

Choose GameMaker Studio 2 if

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

Questions people ask

Is Buildbox or GameMaker Studio 2 better?
Neither clearly leads. Buildbox starts at Free and GameMaker Studio 2 at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Buildbox or GameMaker Studio 2?
Buildbox starts at Free and GameMaker Studio 2 at Free.
Does Buildbox or GameMaker Studio 2 run on more platforms?
Buildbox runs on Ios, Android, Windows, Macos. GameMaker Studio 2 runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, Switch.
Can I use Buildbox for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Buildbox best used for?
Buildbox is most often used for mobile game creation, casual games, monetized games. Of those, mobile game creation and casual games are not what GameMaker Studio 2 is typically brought in for.
What can Buildbox do that GameMaker Studio 2 cannot?
Buildbox covers Visual game builder, Physics engine, Animation system, Monetization SDK. GameMaker Studio 2 covers GML programming language, Sprite editor, Animation frames, Sound editor. Both handle Drag-and-drop interface, Mobile deployment, Ios support, Windows support.
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