Software · head to head
Construct 3 vs AppGameKit
Construct 3
Software
Create games without coding. Powered by the Scirra engine.
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Construct 3 the free version caps projects at 50 events, or 25 when used without an account; AppGameKit exports to Windows, iOS and Android only, so there is no macOS, Linux or console target
- They diverge on capability: Construct 3 covers Visual event system, AppGameKit covers BASIC-like scripting.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Construct 3 and AppGameKit actually diverge.
| Attribute | Construct 3 | AppGameKit |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | freemium | free |
| Platforms | Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web | Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Tvos |
| Founded | 2007 | 2004 |
Identical on both: starting price (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 Construct 3
- Visual event system
- Drag-and-drop editor
- Sprite editor
- Sound effects
- Web-based
- HTML5 support
- Dropbox
- Google Play
Only in AppGameKit
- BASIC-like scripting
- Visual sprite editor
- Sound and music
- Tile support
- Multi-platform export
- Built-in debugger
- Visual Studio Code
- Code compilation
Both cover
- Physics engine
- Particle effects
- GitHub
- Local deployment
- Mobile deployment
- Windows support
- Macos support
- Linux support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Construct 3
- Building 2D browser games without writing codenot AppGameKit
- Publishing HTML5 games to the web, desktop and mobile stores from one projectnot AppGameKit
AppGameKit
- 2D and 3D game development from a single codebasenot Construct 3
- Cross-platform mobile game builds for iOS and Androidnot Construct 3
- Learning game programming in a BASIC-derived languagenot Construct 3
- Prototyping small games quicklynot Construct 3
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Construct 3
- The free version caps projects at 50 events, or 25 when used without an account
- Free projects are limited to 2 layers, 2 special effects, 1 timeline animation of up to 5 seconds and 1 web font
- The free version can only publish to HTML5 and the Construct Arcade, so desktop, Android, iOS and Facebook Instant Games all need a paid plan
- Licences are per seat and annual, at $129.99 for Personal, $168.99 for Startup Business and $468.99 for Business
AppGameKit
- Exports to Windows, iOS and Android only, so there is no macOS, Linux or console target
- The price is not shown on the product page and the product is sold through Steam
- The vendor describes it as their last outing for traditional programming languages before AI-driven development, which is a poor signal for long-term support
- appgamekit.com now redirects into the darkbasic.com site
Pricing, plan by plan
Construct 3
Free- FreeFree
- Web-based editor
- HTML5 export
- Asset library
- Personal$99/year
- All Free features
- Offline editor
- Advanced export
AppGameKit
Free- FreeFree
- Full editor
- Multi-platform export
- Built-in IDE
Which should you pick?
Choose Construct 3 if
- You need visual event system.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
- You also want drag-and-drop editor.
Choose AppGameKit if
- You need basic-like scripting.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Tvos.
- You also want visual sprite editor.
Questions people ask
- Is Construct 3 or AppGameKit better?
- Neither clearly leads. Construct 3 starts at Free and AppGameKit at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Construct 3 or AppGameKit?
- Construct 3 starts at Free and AppGameKit at Free.
- Does Construct 3 or AppGameKit run on more platforms?
- Construct 3 runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web. AppGameKit runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Tvos.
- Can I use Construct 3 for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Construct 3 best used for?
- Construct 3 is most often used for building 2d browser games without writing code, publishing html5 games to the web, desktop and mobile stores from one project. Of those, building 2d browser games without writing code and publishing html5 games to the web, desktop and mobile stores from one project are not what AppGameKit is typically brought in for.
- What can Construct 3 do that AppGameKit cannot?
- Construct 3 covers Visual event system, Drag-and-drop editor, Sprite editor, Sound effects. AppGameKit covers BASIC-like scripting, Visual sprite editor, Sound and music, Tile support. Both handle Physics engine, Particle effects, GitHub, Local deployment.