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Clip Studio Paint vs GameMaker Studio 2

Clip Studio Paint logo

Clip Studio Paint

Software

Professional illustration and animation software

From
$4.49/month
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: Clip Studio Paint monthly subscription pricing becomes expensive over multiple years compared to one-time licenses; 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: Clip Studio Paint covers Natural drawing feel, GameMaker Studio 2 covers Drag-and-drop interface.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Clip Studio Paint and GameMaker Studio 2 differ
AttributeClip Studio PaintGameMaker Studio 2
Starting price$4.49/monthFree
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, macOS, iOS, Android, iPadWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, Switch
Founded19911999

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 Clip Studio Paint

  • Natural drawing feel
  • Comic/manga tools
  • Animation features
  • 3D reference
  • Vector support
  • Photoshop files
  • 3D models
  • Graphics tablets

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

  • Windows support
  • Macos support
  • Ios support

What people use each for

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

Clip Studio Paint

  • Manga creationnot GameMaker Studio 2
  • Comic illustrationnot GameMaker Studio 2
  • 2D animationnot GameMaker Studio 2
  • Character designnot GameMaker Studio 2
  • Digital paintingnot GameMaker Studio 2

GameMaker Studio 2

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

Where each one falls short

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

Clip Studio Paint

  • Monthly subscription pricing becomes expensive over multiple years compared to one-time licenses
  • Limited built-in photo manipulation features compared to general-purpose image editors

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

Clip Studio Paint

$4.49/month
  • PRO Perpetual License$54/one-time
    • Full brush engine
    • 3D model integration
    • Basic animation (24 frames)
  • PRO Monthly Subscription$4.49/month
    • All PRO features
    • Desktop and mobile access
    • Continuous updates
  • PRO Annual Subscription$26.99/year
    • All PRO features
    • Desktop and mobile access
    • Continuous updates
  • EX Perpetual License$237/one-time
    • All PRO features
    • Unlimited animation frames
    • Multi-page management

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 Clip Studio Paint if

  • You need natural drawing feel.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, iPad.
  • You also want comic/manga tools.
Clip Studio Paint 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 Clip Studio Paint or GameMaker Studio 2 better?
Neither clearly leads. Clip Studio Paint starts at $4.49/month and GameMaker Studio 2 at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Clip Studio Paint or GameMaker Studio 2?
GameMaker Studio 2 has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $4.49/month for Clip Studio Paint and Free for GameMaker Studio 2.
Does Clip Studio Paint or GameMaker Studio 2 run on more platforms?
Clip Studio Paint runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, iPad. 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. Clip Studio Paint starts at $4.49/month.
What is Clip Studio Paint best used for?
Clip Studio Paint is most often used for manga creation, comic illustration, 2d animation, character design. Of those, manga creation and comic illustration are not what GameMaker Studio 2 is typically brought in for.
What can Clip Studio Paint do that GameMaker Studio 2 cannot?
Clip Studio Paint covers Natural drawing feel, Comic/manga tools, Animation features, 3D reference. GameMaker Studio 2 covers Drag-and-drop interface, GML programming language, Sprite editor, Animation frames. Both handle Windows support, Macos support, Ios support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Clip Studio Paint: What are the differences between Clip Studio Paint PRO and EX?

PRO includes basic animation (24 frame limit) and is best for digital painting. EX includes unlimited animation frames, multi-page management for publishing, LT conversion, and professional animation timelines.

Source
Clip Studio Paint: Can I use Clip Studio Paint on mobile?

Yes. Clip Studio Paint offers monthly and annual plans that cover both desktop and mobile access. Desktop-only perpetual licenses are available but do not include mobile access.

Source
Clip Studio Paint: What payment options does Clip Studio Paint offer?

Clip Studio Paint offers one-time perpetual licenses for desktop ($54 PRO, $237 EX), monthly subscriptions ($4.49 PRO, $9.99 EX), and annual subscriptions ($26.99 PRO, $75.99 EX) that include mobile access.

Source
Clip Studio Paint: Does Clip Studio Paint include 3D model integration?

Yes. Both PRO and EX versions include 3D model integration for digital artists to use as reference or directly in compositions.

Source
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