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Game Development · head to head

GameMaker Studio 2 vs Rec Room

GameMaker Studio 2 logo

GameMaker Studio 2

Game Development

The fastest way to create games. For everyone.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Rec Room logo

Rec Room

AR VR

Free-to-play social VR gaming platform

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; Rec Room in-app purchase structure and monetization details not disclosed on main site
  • They diverge on capability: GameMaker Studio 2 covers Drag-and-drop interface, Rec Room covers Maker Pen tools.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where GameMaker Studio 2 and Rec Room differ
AttributeGameMaker Studio 2Rec Room
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, SwitchVr, Pc, Mobile, Console
CategoryGame DevelopmentAR VR
Founded19992016

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), 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 Rec Room

  • Maker Pen tools
  • Multiplayer games
  • Avatar customization
  • Room creation
  • Cross-platform play
  • In-game economy
  • Events
  • Vr 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 Rec Room
  • Indie game development with a drag and drop and GML scripting workflownot Rec Room
  • Publishing to consoles under an Enterprise subscriptionnot Rec Room

Rec Room

  • VR Gamingnot GameMaker Studio 2
  • AR Marketingnot GameMaker Studio 2
  • Virtual Trainingnot GameMaker Studio 2
  • 3D Visualizationnot GameMaker Studio 2
  • Immersive Experiencesnot 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

Rec Room

  • In-app purchase structure and monetization details not disclosed on main site

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

Rec Room

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full game access
    • Room creation
    • 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 Rec Room if

  • You need maker pen tools.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Vr, Pc, Mobile, Console.
  • You also want multiplayer games.
Rec Room review

Questions people ask

Is GameMaker Studio 2 or Rec Room better?
Neither clearly leads. GameMaker Studio 2 starts at Free and Rec Room at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, GameMaker Studio 2 or Rec Room?
GameMaker Studio 2 starts at Free and Rec Room at Free.
Does GameMaker Studio 2 or Rec Room run on more platforms?
GameMaker Studio 2 runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, Switch. Rec Room runs on Vr, Pc, Mobile, Console.
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 Rec Room is typically brought in for.
What can GameMaker Studio 2 do that Rec Room cannot?
GameMaker Studio 2 covers Drag-and-drop interface, GML programming language, Sprite editor, Animation frames. Rec Room covers Maker Pen tools, Multiplayer games, Avatar customization, Room creation.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Rec Room: What does Rec Room cost?

Rec Room is completely free to download and play across all platforms including Android, iOS, PC, console, and VR headsets. The company opposes exploitive monetization methods.

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