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Game Development · head to head

GameMaker Studio 2 vs Nintendo Switch Online

GameMaker Studio 2 logo

GameMaker Studio 2

Game Development

The fastest way to create games. For everyone.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
N

Nintendo Switch Online

Gaming

Online play, classic games and more

From
On request
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: GameMaker Studio 2 the free tier is a non-commercial licence; selling a game requires the Professional licence at $99.99; Nintendo Switch Online individual plan is $19.99 per year but access to GameCube, N64, Game Boy Advance and SEGA Genesis titles requires the $49.99 per year Expansion Pack tier

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which GameMaker Studio 2 and Nintendo Switch Online actually diverge.

Attributes where GameMaker Studio 2 and Nintendo Switch Online differ
AttributeGameMaker Studio 2Nintendo Switch Online
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, SwitchWeb
CategoryGame DevelopmentGaming
Founded1999Unknown

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Nintendo Switch Online

Nothing recorded that GameMaker Studio 2 does not also cover.

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 Nintendo Switch Online
  • Indie game development with a drag and drop and GML scripting workflownot Nintendo Switch Online
  • Publishing to consoles under an Enterprise subscriptionnot Nintendo Switch Online

Nintendo Switch Online

No use cases recorded yet. See the Nintendo Switch Online review.

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

Nintendo Switch Online

  • Individual plan is $19.99 per year but access to GameCube, N64, Game Boy Advance and SEGA Genesis titles requires the $49.99 per year Expansion Pack tier
  • Family plan pricing of $34.99 or $79.99 per year caps membership sharing at 8 accounts

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

Nintendo Switch Online

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Nintendo Switch Online review.

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 Nintendo Switch Online if

Nothing in the data separates Nintendo Switch Online from GameMaker Studio 2 on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Nintendo Switch Online review

Questions people ask

Is GameMaker Studio 2 or Nintendo Switch Online better?
Neither clearly leads. GameMaker Studio 2 starts at Free and Nintendo Switch Online at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, GameMaker Studio 2 or Nintendo Switch Online?
GameMaker Studio 2 has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for GameMaker Studio 2 and On request for Nintendo Switch Online.
Does GameMaker Studio 2 or Nintendo Switch Online run on more platforms?
GameMaker Studio 2 runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, Switch. Nintendo Switch Online runs on Web.
Can I use GameMaker Studio 2 for free?
Yes. GameMaker Studio 2 has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Nintendo Switch Online starts at On request.
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 Nintendo Switch Online is typically brought in for.
What can GameMaker Studio 2 do that Nintendo Switch Online cannot?
GameMaker Studio 2 covers Drag-and-drop interface, GML programming language, Sprite editor, Animation frames.
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