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GameMaker Studio 2 vs Tiled

GameMaker Studio 2 logo

GameMaker Studio 2

Software

The fastest way to create games. For everyone.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Tiled logo

Tiled

Software

Flexible level editor for 2D games

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; Tiled no official iOS or Android builds; desktop-only distribution
  • They diverge on capability: GameMaker Studio 2 covers Drag-and-drop interface, Tiled covers Tile layers.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where GameMaker Studio 2 and Tiled differ
AttributeGameMaker Studio 2Tiled
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, SwitchWindows, macOS, Linux
Founded19992008

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 Tiled

  • Tile layers
  • Object layers
  • Terrain tool
  • Auto-mapping
  • Wang tiles
  • Custom properties
  • Scripting (JavaScript)
  • Multiple export formats

Both cover

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

Tiled

  • Tile-based maps for RPGs, platformers, and Breakout-style gamesnot GameMaker Studio 2
  • Orthogonal, isometric, and hexagonal map layoutsnot GameMaker Studio 2
  • Object layers (rectangles, ellipses, polygons, points) for collision boxes, spawn points, and triggersnot GameMaker Studio 2
  • Large 'infinite' maps and multi-map world projectsnot GameMaker Studio 2
  • Export to game engines via built-in/scripted exporters using the open TMX formatnot 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

Tiled

  • No official iOS or Android builds; desktop-only distribution
  • No official browser-based version of the editor itself, despite exporting to many engine formats
  • Building from source requires a Qt 6.2+ / C++ / Qbs toolchain
  • Multi-license codebase (GPL 2.0 application plus Apache 2.0 and BSD components), so redistributors must track which license applies per file

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

Tiled

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Tiled 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 Tiled if

  • You need tile layers.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want object layers.
Tiled review

Questions people ask

Is GameMaker Studio 2 or Tiled better?
Neither clearly leads. GameMaker Studio 2 starts at Free and Tiled at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, GameMaker Studio 2 or Tiled?
GameMaker Studio 2 starts at Free and Tiled at Free.
Does GameMaker Studio 2 or Tiled run on more platforms?
GameMaker Studio 2 runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, Switch. Tiled runs on Windows, macOS, Linux.
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 Tiled is typically brought in for.
What can GameMaker Studio 2 do that Tiled cannot?
GameMaker Studio 2 covers Drag-and-drop interface, GML programming language, Sprite editor, Animation frames. Tiled covers Tile layers, Object layers, Terrain tool, Auto-mapping. Both handle Local deployment, Windows support, Macos support, Linux support.
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