Software · head to head
GameMaker Studio 2 vs Gamesparks
GameMaker Studio 2
Software
The fastest way to create games. For everyone.
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: GameMaker Studio 2 the free tier is a non-commercial licence; selling a game requires the Professional licence at $99.99; Gamesparks aWS states "Starting October 1, 2022, access to the GameSparks console will no longer be available" and that all existing games and data needed to be migrated off the platform before that date
- They diverge on capability: GameMaker Studio 2 covers Drag-and-drop interface, Gamesparks covers Real-time features.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which GameMaker Studio 2 and Gamesparks actually diverge.
| Attribute | GameMaker Studio 2 | Gamesparks |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | freemium | usage-based |
| Platforms | Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, Switch | Cross-platform |
| Founded | 1999 | 2006 |
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 GameMaker Studio 2
- Drag-and-drop interface
- GML programming language
- Sprite editor
- Animation frames
- Sound editor
- Room editor
- Particle effects
- Physics system
Only in Gamesparks
- Real-time features
- Multiplayer support
- User authentication
- Data storage
- Matchmaking
- WebSocket support
- Cloud integration
- Analytics
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
GameMaker Studio 2
- Building 2D games for desktop, web and mobilenot Gamesparks
- Indie game development with a drag and drop and GML scripting workflownot Gamesparks
- Publishing to consoles under an Enterprise subscriptionnot Gamesparks
Gamesparks
- Multiplayer gamesnot GameMaker Studio 2
- Real-time gamesnot GameMaker Studio 2
- Cloud gamingnot GameMaker Studio 2
- Game analyticsnot GameMaker Studio 2
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
Gamesparks
- AWS states "Starting October 1, 2022, access to the GameSparks console will no longer be available" and that all existing games and data needed to be migrated off the platform before that date
Pricing, plan by plan
GameMaker Studio 2
Free- FreeFree
- Desktop game creation
- Community support
- Standard export options
- Pro$99/year
- All Free features
- Advanced export modules
- Mobile platforms
Gamesparks
Free- Free TierFree
- 1M API requests
- 1M CloudWatch logs
- Free for first year
- Pay-as-you-go$0.01/request
- Unlimited API requests
- Real-time multiplayer
- CloudWatch integration
Which should you pick?
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.
Choose Gamesparks if
- You need real-time features.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Cross-platform.
- You also want multiplayer support.
Questions people ask
- Is GameMaker Studio 2 or Gamesparks better?
- Neither clearly leads. GameMaker Studio 2 starts at Free and Gamesparks at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, GameMaker Studio 2 or Gamesparks?
- GameMaker Studio 2 starts at Free and Gamesparks at Free.
- Does GameMaker Studio 2 or Gamesparks run on more platforms?
- GameMaker Studio 2 runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, Switch. Gamesparks runs on Cross-platform.
- Can I use GameMaker Studio 2 for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is GameMaker Studio 2 best used for?
- GameMaker Studio 2 is most often used for building 2d games for desktop, web and mobile, indie game development with a drag and drop and gml scripting workflow, publishing to consoles under an enterprise subscription. Of those, building 2d games for desktop, web and mobile and indie game development with a drag and drop and gml scripting workflow are not what Gamesparks is typically brought in for.
- What can GameMaker Studio 2 do that Gamesparks cannot?
- GameMaker Studio 2 covers Drag-and-drop interface, GML programming language, Sprite editor, Animation frames. Gamesparks covers Real-time features, Multiplayer support, User authentication, Data storage.