Software · head to head
Flax Engine vs AppGameKit
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Flax Engine flax charges a 4% royalty on game earnings above $250,000, assessed per calendar quarter; AppGameKit exports to Windows, iOS and Android only, so there is no macOS, Linux or console target
- They diverge on capability: Flax Engine covers 3D graphics rendering, AppGameKit covers BASIC-like scripting.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Flax Engine and AppGameKit actually diverge.
| Attribute | Flax Engine | AppGameKit |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows, Linux, Playstation, Xbox | Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Tvos |
| Founded | 2017 | 2004 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (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 Flax Engine
- 3D graphics rendering
- Visual editor
- C# scripting
- Audio system
- Skeletal animation
- Material system
- Lighting system
- C#
Only in AppGameKit
- BASIC-like scripting
- Visual sprite editor
- Sound and music
- Tile support
- Multi-platform export
- Built-in debugger
- Visual Studio Code
- GitHub
Both cover
- Physics engine
- Particle effects
- Local deployment
- Windows support
- Linux support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Flax Engine
- Building 3D games in C# and C++ with full engine source accessnot AppGameKit
- Multi-platform deployment from one editornot AppGameKit
- Prototyping with the bundled Flax Samples projectsnot AppGameKit
AppGameKit
- 2D and 3D game development from a single codebasenot Flax Engine
- Cross-platform mobile game builds for iOS and Androidnot Flax Engine
- Learning game programming in a BASIC-derived languagenot Flax Engine
- Prototyping small games quicklynot Flax Engine
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Flax Engine
- Flax charges a 4% royalty on game earnings above $250,000, assessed per calendar quarter
- Free use is granted for non-commercial or educational usage; commercial releases fall under the royalty
- Users must accept the Flax Engine End-User License Agreement before using the engine or its tools, so it is not an OSI open source licence despite the source being on GitHub
- Non-game uses such as in-house tools or SaaS products need a custom licence negotiated with the vendor, and no rate card is published for per-seat or flat-fee options
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
Flax Engine
Free- FreeFree
- Full engine
- Visual editor
- C# scripting
AppGameKit
Free- FreeFree
- Full editor
- Multi-platform export
- Built-in IDE
Which should you pick?
Choose Flax Engine if
- You need 3d graphics rendering.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Linux, Playstation, Xbox.
- You also want visual 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 Flax Engine or AppGameKit better?
- Neither clearly leads. Flax Engine 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, Flax Engine or AppGameKit?
- Flax Engine starts at Free and AppGameKit at Free.
- Does Flax Engine or AppGameKit run on more platforms?
- Flax Engine runs on Windows, Linux, Playstation, Xbox. AppGameKit runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Tvos.
- Can I use Flax Engine for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Flax Engine best used for?
- Flax Engine is most often used for building 3d games in c# and c++ with full engine source access, multi-platform deployment from one editor, prototyping with the bundled flax samples projects. Of those, building 3d games in c# and c++ with full engine source access and multi-platform deployment from one editor are not what AppGameKit is typically brought in for.
- What can Flax Engine do that AppGameKit cannot?
- Flax Engine covers 3D graphics rendering, Visual editor, C# scripting, Audio system. AppGameKit covers BASIC-like scripting, Visual sprite editor, Sound and music, Tile support. Both handle Physics engine, Particle effects, Local deployment, Windows support.