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Game Development · head to head

GameMaker Studio 2 vs Raylib

GameMaker Studio 2 logo

GameMaker Studio 2

Game Development

The fastest way to create games. For everyone.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Raylib logo

Raylib

Game Development

A simple and easy-to-use library for game development

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; Raylib raylib is entirely free and open source with no commercial support offered. Donations are encouraged but completely optional.
  • They diverge on capability: GameMaker Studio 2 covers Drag-and-drop interface, Raylib covers Graphics rendering.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where GameMaker Studio 2 and Raylib differ
AttributeGameMaker Studio 2Raylib
Pricing modelfreemiumfree
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, SwitchWindows, Macos, Linux, Android, Web
Founded19992013

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
  • Particle effects
  • Physics system

Only in Raylib

  • Graphics rendering
  • Audio system
  • Input handling
  • Shapes drawing
  • Sprite management
  • Collision detection
  • Font rendering
  • Text input

Both cover

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

Raylib

  • Simple 2D gamesnot GameMaker Studio 2
  • Game prototypingnot GameMaker Studio 2
  • Educational gamesnot GameMaker Studio 2
  • Learning game developmentnot 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

Raylib

  • Raylib is entirely free and open source with no commercial support offered. Donations are encouraged but completely optional.

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

Raylib

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full library
    • C/C++ support
    • Graphics rendering

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 Raylib if

  • You need graphics rendering.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Android, Web.
  • You also want audio system.
Raylib review

Questions people ask

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

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Raylib: Is Raylib free?

Yes. Raylib is completely free and open source. The project is licensed under a permissive license with no fees or costs to download, use, or modify.

Source
Raylib: Does Raylib require a paid license?

No. Raylib requires no paid license. Users can freely use it for personal, educational, and commercial projects without any licensing fees.

Source
Raylib: Does Raylib accept donations?

Yes. Raylib accepts voluntary donations through GitHub Sponsors, Patreon, Ko-fi, PayPal, and other platforms to support ongoing development. Donations are entirely optional.

Source
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