Software · head to head
GDevelop vs AppGameKit
The short version
- Each has a real cost: GDevelop the free tier allows 3 cloud projects and one desktop or Android build per day; AppGameKit exports to Windows, iOS and Android only, so there is no macOS, Linux or console target
- They diverge on capability: GDevelop covers Visual event editor, AppGameKit covers BASIC-like scripting.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which GDevelop and AppGameKit actually diverge.
| Attribute | GDevelop | AppGameKit |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web | Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Tvos |
| Founded | 2010 | 2004 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (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 GDevelop
- Visual event editor
- Drag-and-drop interface
- Sprite editor
- Sound editor
- Scene editor
- Extensions support
- Firebase
- Discord
Only in AppGameKit
- BASIC-like scripting
- Visual sprite editor
- Sound and music
- Tile support
- Multi-platform export
- Built-in debugger
- Visual Studio Code
- Code compilation
Both cover
- Physics engine
- Particle effects
- GitHub
- Local deployment
- Mobile deployment
- Windows support
- Macos support
- Linux support
- Ios support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
GDevelop
- Building 2D games with visual event logic rather than codenot AppGameKit
- Exporting one project to web, desktop, Android and iOSnot AppGameKit
AppGameKit
- 2D and 3D game development from a single codebasenot GDevelop
- Cross-platform mobile game builds for iOS and Androidnot GDevelop
- Learning game programming in a BASIC-derived languagenot GDevelop
- Prototyping small games quicklynot GDevelop
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
GDevelop
- The free tier allows 3 cloud projects and one desktop or Android build per day
- Free accounts get one leaderboard per game
- Publishing to the iOS App Store requires the Gold plan, which caps those exports at 15 a month
- AI credits are metered per tier, from 40 a month on free to 3,000 a week on Pro
AppGameKit
- Exports to Windows, iOS and Android only, so there is no macOS, Linux or console target
- The price is not shown on the product page and the product is sold through Steam
- The vendor describes it as their last outing for traditional programming languages before AI-driven development, which is a poor signal for long-term support
- appgamekit.com now redirects into the darkbasic.com site
Pricing, plan by plan
GDevelop
Free- FreeFree
- Full editor
- Cross-platform export
- Asset library
AppGameKit
Free- FreeFree
- Full editor
- Multi-platform export
- Built-in IDE
Which should you pick?
Choose GDevelop if
- You need visual event editor.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
- You also want drag-and-drop interface.
Choose AppGameKit if
- You need basic-like scripting.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Tvos.
- You also want visual sprite editor.
Questions people ask
- Is GDevelop or AppGameKit better?
- Neither clearly leads. GDevelop starts at Free and AppGameKit at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, GDevelop or AppGameKit?
- GDevelop starts at Free and AppGameKit at Free.
- Does GDevelop or AppGameKit run on more platforms?
- GDevelop runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web. AppGameKit runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Tvos.
- Can I use GDevelop for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is GDevelop best used for?
- GDevelop is most often used for building 2d games with visual event logic rather than code, exporting one project to web, desktop, android and ios. Of those, building 2d games with visual event logic rather than code and exporting one project to web, desktop, android and ios are not what AppGameKit is typically brought in for.
- What can GDevelop do that AppGameKit cannot?
- GDevelop covers Visual event editor, Drag-and-drop interface, Sprite editor, Sound editor. AppGameKit covers BASIC-like scripting, Visual sprite editor, Sound and music, Tile support. Both handle Physics engine, Particle effects, GitHub, Local deployment.