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Game Development · head to head

GameMaker Studio 2 vs libGDX

GameMaker Studio 2 logo

GameMaker Studio 2

Game Development

The fastest way to create games. For everyone.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
libGDX logo

libGDX

Game Development

Java-based game development framework

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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; libGDX libGDX is a Java framework built on OpenGL ES, so projects are tied to the JVM toolchain
  • They diverge on capability: GameMaker Studio 2 covers Drag-and-drop interface, libGDX covers Java language support.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where GameMaker Studio 2 and libGDX differ
AttributeGameMaker Studio 2libGDX
Pricing modelfreemiumfree
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, SwitchWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web
Founded19992010

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 libGDX

  • Java language support
  • Graphics rendering
  • Audio engine
  • Input handling
  • Physics integration (Box2D)
  • Animation system
  • 2D and 3D rendering
  • Java

Both cover

  • Particle effects
  • Local deployment
  • Mobile deployment
  • Windows support
  • Macos support
  • Linux support
  • Ios 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 libGDX
  • Indie game development with a drag and drop and GML scripting workflownot libGDX
  • Publishing to consoles under an Enterprise subscriptionnot libGDX

libGDX

  • Writing 2D or 3D games in Java from a single codebasenot GameMaker Studio 2
  • Publishing a Java game to desktop, Android, iOS and HTML5not GameMaker Studio 2
  • Rapid prototyping where an opinionated engine workflow is unwantednot 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

libGDX

  • libGDX is a Java framework built on OpenGL ES, so projects are tied to the JVM toolchain
  • Publishing targets are limited to Windows, macOS, Linux including Raspberry Pi, Android, iOS and HTML5
  • libGDX is a community-maintained Apache 2.0 project with no vendor and no paid support tier
  • libGDX ships as a framework rather than an editor, so there is no visual scene editor included

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

libGDX

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full framework
    • Java support
    • Cross-platform

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.
GameMaker Studio 2 review

Choose libGDX if

  • You need java language support.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want graphics rendering.
libGDX review

Questions people ask

Is GameMaker Studio 2 or libGDX better?
Neither clearly leads. GameMaker Studio 2 starts at Free and libGDX at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, GameMaker Studio 2 or libGDX?
GameMaker Studio 2 starts at Free and libGDX at Free.
Does GameMaker Studio 2 or libGDX run on more platforms?
GameMaker Studio 2 runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, Switch. libGDX runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
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 libGDX is typically brought in for.
What can GameMaker Studio 2 do that libGDX cannot?
GameMaker Studio 2 covers Drag-and-drop interface, GML programming language, Sprite editor, Animation frames. libGDX covers Java language support, Graphics rendering, Audio engine, Input handling. Both handle Particle effects, Local deployment, Mobile deployment, Windows support.
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