Game Development · head to head
GameMaker Studio 2 vs jMonkeyEngine
GameMaker Studio 2
Game Development
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; jMonkeyEngine jMonkeyEngine is a code-first Java library with no bundled editor; the engine itself ships no scene editor
- They diverge on capability: GameMaker Studio 2 covers Drag-and-drop interface, jMonkeyEngine covers 3D graphics rendering.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which GameMaker Studio 2 and jMonkeyEngine actually diverge.
| Attribute | GameMaker Studio 2 | jMonkeyEngine |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | freemium | free |
| Platforms | Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, Switch | Windows, Macos, Linux, Android |
| Founded | 1999 | 2003 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 GameMaker Studio 2
- Drag-and-drop interface
- GML programming language
- Sprite editor
- Animation frames
- Sound editor
- Room editor
- Physics system
- GitHub
Only in jMonkeyEngine
- 3D graphics rendering
- Physics engine (Bullet)
- Audio system
- Scene editor
- Material system
- Lighting and shadows
- Skeletal animation
- Java
Both cover
- Particle effects
- 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.
GameMaker Studio 2
- Building 2D games for desktop, web and mobilenot jMonkeyEngine
- Indie game development with a drag and drop and GML scripting workflownot jMonkeyEngine
- Publishing to consoles under an Enterprise subscriptionnot jMonkeyEngine
jMonkeyEngine
- Writing 3D games in Java against a BSD-licensed open source enginenot GameMaker Studio 2
- Using the engine as a plain Java library inside an existing Gradle or Maven buildnot GameMaker Studio 2
- Building desktop 3D applications with LWJGL renderingnot 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
jMonkeyEngine
- jMonkeyEngine is a code-first Java library with no bundled editor; the engine itself ships no scene editor
- The optional jMonkeyEngine SDK is a NetBeans-based tool maintained separately from the engine, so it lags the engine release cycle
- Projects must be written in Java and wired up through Gradle, Maven or a hand-rolled build
- Choosing the DIY route means providing your own build, source layout, editor, runtime packaging and workflow
- Support runs through community Discussions and Discord rather than a vendor channel
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
jMonkeyEngine
Free- FreeFree
- Full engine
- Java support
- 3D graphics
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 jMonkeyEngine if
- You need 3d graphics rendering.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Android.
- You also want physics engine (bullet).
Questions people ask
- Is GameMaker Studio 2 or jMonkeyEngine better?
- Neither clearly leads. GameMaker Studio 2 starts at Free and jMonkeyEngine at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, GameMaker Studio 2 or jMonkeyEngine?
- GameMaker Studio 2 starts at Free and jMonkeyEngine at Free.
- Does GameMaker Studio 2 or jMonkeyEngine run on more platforms?
- GameMaker Studio 2 runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, Switch. jMonkeyEngine runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Android.
- 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 jMonkeyEngine is typically brought in for.
- What can GameMaker Studio 2 do that jMonkeyEngine cannot?
- GameMaker Studio 2 covers Drag-and-drop interface, GML programming language, Sprite editor, Animation frames. jMonkeyEngine covers 3D graphics rendering, Physics engine (Bullet), Audio system, Scene editor. Both handle Particle effects, Local deployment, Mobile deployment, Windows support.