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Gamesparks vs Stencyl

Gamesparks logo

Gamesparks

Software

Backend as a service for game development

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Stencyl logo

Stencyl

Software

Create games with visual programming

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Gamesparks aWS states "Starting October 1, 2022, access to the GameSparks console will no longer be available" and that all existing games and data needed to be migrated off the platform before that date; Stencyl the free Starter tier can publish to the web only
  • They diverge on capability: Gamesparks covers Real-time features, Stencyl covers Visual block programming.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Gamesparks and Stencyl actually diverge.

Attributes where Gamesparks and Stencyl differ
AttributeGamesparksStencyl
Pricing modelusage-basedfree
PlatformsCross-platformWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Flash
Founded20062011

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 Gamesparks

  • Real-time features
  • Multiplayer support
  • User authentication
  • Data storage
  • Matchmaking
  • WebSocket support
  • Cloud integration
  • Analytics

Only in Stencyl

  • Visual block programming
  • Drag-and-drop interface
  • Physics engine
  • Sprite animation
  • Sound and music
  • Tilemap editor
  • Actor system
  • Haxe support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Gamesparks

  • Multiplayer gamesnot Stencyl
  • Real-time gamesnot Stencyl
  • Cloud gamingnot Stencyl
  • Game analyticsnot Stencyl

Stencyl

  • Building 2D games with visual block based logicnot Gamesparks
  • Publishing the same project to web, desktop and mobilenot Gamesparks

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Gamesparks

  • AWS states "Starting October 1, 2022, access to the GameSparks console will no longer be available" and that all existing games and data needed to be migrated off the platform before that date

Stencyl

  • The free Starter tier can publish to the web only
  • Desktop publishing requires the Indie plan at $99 a year
  • iOS and Android publishing require the Studio plan at $199 a year
  • Licences are annual, so continuing to publish means continuing to pay

Pricing, plan by plan

Gamesparks

Free
  • Free TierFree
    • 1M API requests
    • 1M CloudWatch logs
    • Free for first year
  • Pay-as-you-go$0.01/request
    • Unlimited API requests
    • Real-time multiplayer
    • CloudWatch integration

Stencyl

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full editor access
    • Desktop export
    • Mobile export

Which should you pick?

Choose Gamesparks if

  • You need real-time features.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Cross-platform.
  • You also want multiplayer support.
Gamesparks review

Choose Stencyl if

  • You need visual block programming.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Flash.
  • You also want drag-and-drop interface.
Stencyl review

Questions people ask

Is Gamesparks or Stencyl better?
Neither clearly leads. Gamesparks starts at Free and Stencyl at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Gamesparks or Stencyl?
Gamesparks starts at Free and Stencyl at Free.
Does Gamesparks or Stencyl run on more platforms?
Gamesparks runs on Cross-platform. Stencyl runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Flash.
Can I use Gamesparks for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Gamesparks best used for?
Gamesparks is most often used for multiplayer games, real-time games, cloud gaming, game analytics. Of those, multiplayer games and real-time games are not what Stencyl is typically brought in for.
What can Gamesparks do that Stencyl cannot?
Gamesparks covers Real-time features, Multiplayer support, User authentication, Data storage. Stencyl covers Visual block programming, Drag-and-drop interface, Physics engine, Sprite animation.
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