Softwr

Game Development · head to head

Construct 3 vs RPG Maker MZ

Construct 3 logo

Construct 3

Game Development

Create games without coding. Powered by the Scirra engine.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
RPG Maker MZ logo

RPG Maker MZ

Game Development

The next generation RPG creation software

From
$99.99/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Construct 3 has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Construct 3 the free version caps projects at 50 events, or 25 when used without an account; RPG Maker MZ the free version is a 30 day trial only
  • They diverge on capability: Construct 3 covers Visual event system, RPG Maker MZ covers HTML5 rendering.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Construct 3 and RPG Maker MZ actually diverge.

Attributes where Construct 3 and RPG Maker MZ differ
AttributeConstruct 3RPG Maker MZ
Starting priceFree$99.99/one-time
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, WebWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web, Steam
Founded20071945

Identical on both: 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 Construct 3

  • Visual event system
  • Drag-and-drop editor
  • Physics engine
  • Sprite editor
  • Particle effects
  • Sound effects
  • Web-based
  • HTML5 support

Only in RPG Maker MZ

  • HTML5 rendering
  • Event system
  • Database editor
  • Pixel art support
  • JavaScript plugins
  • Voice acting support
  • Touch controls
  • Cross-platform

Both cover

  • GitHub
  • Local deployment
  • Web deployment
  • Mobile deployment
  • Windows support
  • Macos 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 RPG Maker MZ
  • Publishing HTML5 games to the web, desktop and mobile stores from one projectnot RPG Maker MZ

RPG Maker MZ

  • Making 2D tile based role playing games without programmingnot Construct 3
  • Building games from bundled tilesets, sprites, music and a character generatornot Construct 3
  • Event driven game logic through menu based scriptingnot 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

RPG Maker MZ

  • The free version is a 30 day trial only
  • The software cannot be launched or used unless network authentication completes
  • Installation is limited to two user devices, and installing on three or more is prohibited
  • Company support is not offered to any user who has not completed user registration
  • The licence restricts bundled assets to games produced with RPG Maker MZ and prohibits distributing individual assets
  • Distributed games must state in attached documentation that they were made with the software and must display the notice "(c)Gotcha Gotcha Games Inc./YOJI OJIMA 2020"

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

RPG Maker MZ

$99.99/one-time
  • Standard$99.99/one-time
    • Modern HTML5 engine
    • Enhanced graphics
    • JavaScript plugins

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 RPG Maker MZ if

  • You need html5 rendering.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web, Steam.
  • You also want event system.
RPG Maker MZ review

Questions people ask

Is Construct 3 or RPG Maker MZ better?
Neither clearly leads. Construct 3 starts at Free and RPG Maker MZ at $99.99/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Construct 3 or RPG Maker MZ?
Construct 3 has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Construct 3 and $99.99/one-time for RPG Maker MZ.
Does Construct 3 or RPG Maker MZ run on more platforms?
Construct 3 runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web. RPG Maker MZ runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web, Steam.
Can I use Construct 3 for free?
Yes. Construct 3 has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. RPG Maker MZ starts at $99.99/one-time.
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 RPG Maker MZ is typically brought in for.
What can Construct 3 do that RPG Maker MZ cannot?
Construct 3 covers Visual event system, Drag-and-drop editor, Physics engine, Sprite editor. RPG Maker MZ covers HTML5 rendering, Event system, Database editor, Pixel art support. Both handle GitHub, Local deployment, Web deployment, Mobile deployment.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Construct 3

More on RPG Maker MZ

Keep looking

Other head to heads