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Construct 3 vs GameMaker Studio 2

Construct 3 logo

Construct 3

Software

Create games without coding. Powered by the Scirra engine.

From
Free
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

  • Each has a real cost: Construct 3 the free version caps projects at 50 events, or 25 when used without an account; 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: Construct 3 covers Visual event system, GameMaker Studio 2 covers Drag-and-drop interface.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Construct 3 and GameMaker Studio 2 actually diverge.

Attributes where Construct 3 and GameMaker Studio 2 differ
AttributeConstruct 3GameMaker Studio 2
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, WebWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, Switch
Founded20071999

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), 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
  • Physics engine
  • Sound effects
  • Web-based
  • HTML5 support
  • Dropbox
  • Google Play

Only in GameMaker Studio 2

  • Drag-and-drop interface
  • GML programming language
  • Animation frames
  • Sound editor
  • Room editor
  • Physics system
  • Aseprite
  • Audacity

Both cover

  • Sprite editor
  • 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 GameMaker Studio 2
  • Publishing HTML5 games to the web, desktop and mobile stores from one projectnot GameMaker Studio 2

GameMaker Studio 2

  • Building 2D games for desktop, web and mobilenot Construct 3
  • Indie game development with a drag and drop and GML scripting workflownot Construct 3
  • Publishing to consoles under an Enterprise subscriptionnot 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

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

Construct 3

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Web-based editor
    • HTML5 export
    • Asset library
  • Personal$99/year
    • All Free features
    • Offline editor
    • Advanced export

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 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.
Construct 3 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 Construct 3 or GameMaker Studio 2 better?
Neither clearly leads. Construct 3 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, Construct 3 or GameMaker Studio 2?
Construct 3 starts at Free and GameMaker Studio 2 at Free.
Does Construct 3 or GameMaker Studio 2 run on more platforms?
Construct 3 runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web. GameMaker Studio 2 runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, Switch.
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 GameMaker Studio 2 is typically brought in for.
What can Construct 3 do that GameMaker Studio 2 cannot?
Construct 3 covers Visual event system, Drag-and-drop editor, Physics engine, Sound effects. GameMaker Studio 2 covers Drag-and-drop interface, GML programming language, Animation frames, Sound editor. Both handle Sprite editor, Particle effects, GitHub, Local deployment.
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