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Corona Renderer vs GameMaker Studio 2

Corona Renderer logo

Corona Renderer

Software

Modern high-performance rendering

From
$414/year
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: Corona Renderer plugs into 3ds Max and Cinema 4D only, so it is not available for Blender, Maya or standalone use; 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: Corona Renderer covers Unbiased rendering, GameMaker Studio 2 covers Drag-and-drop interface.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Corona Renderer and GameMaker Studio 2 differ
AttributeCorona RendererGameMaker Studio 2
Starting price$414/yearFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, macOSWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, Switch
Founded20091999

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 Corona Renderer

  • Unbiased rendering
  • Interactive rendering
  • LightMix
  • Scatter
  • Materials
  • 3ds Max
  • Cinema 4D
  • License management

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

What people use each for

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

Corona Renderer

  • Photorealistic architectural visualisation rendersnot GameMaker Studio 2
  • Interior and exterior stills from 3ds Maxnot GameMaker Studio 2
  • Motion graphics rendering from Cinema 4Dnot GameMaker Studio 2
  • Rendering with minimal setup thanks to defaults tuned for archviznot GameMaker Studio 2

GameMaker Studio 2

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

Where each one falls short

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

Corona Renderer

  • Plugs into 3ds Max and Cinema 4D only, so it is not available for Blender, Maya or standalone use
  • Sold by subscription rather than perpetual licence, from $414 a year for Corona Solo
  • Asset library access is metered by tier, at 15,000 assets on Solo against 18,500 on Premium
  • AI credits are capped monthly, at 100 on Solo and 500 on Premium
  • Real-time ray tracing through Vantage requires the Corona Collection tier at $994.80 a year

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

Corona Renderer

$414/year

No published plan breakdown. See the Corona Renderer review.

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 Corona Renderer if

  • You need unbiased rendering.
  • You work on Windows, macOS.
  • You also want interactive rendering.
Corona Renderer 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 Corona Renderer or GameMaker Studio 2 better?
Neither clearly leads. Corona Renderer starts at $414/year and GameMaker Studio 2 at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Corona Renderer or GameMaker Studio 2?
GameMaker Studio 2 has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $414/year for Corona Renderer and Free for GameMaker Studio 2.
Does Corona Renderer or GameMaker Studio 2 run on more platforms?
Corona Renderer runs on Windows, macOS. 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. Corona Renderer starts at $414/year.
What is Corona Renderer best used for?
Corona Renderer is most often used for photorealistic architectural visualisation renders, interior and exterior stills from 3ds max, motion graphics rendering from cinema 4d, rendering with minimal setup thanks to defaults tuned for archviz. Of those, photorealistic architectural visualisation renders and interior and exterior stills from 3ds max are not what GameMaker Studio 2 is typically brought in for.
What can Corona Renderer do that GameMaker Studio 2 cannot?
Corona Renderer covers Unbiased rendering, Interactive rendering, LightMix, Scatter. GameMaker Studio 2 covers Drag-and-drop interface, GML programming language, Sprite editor, Animation frames. Both handle Windows support.
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