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Game Development · head to head

GDevelop vs RPG Maker MZ

GDevelop logo

GDevelop

Game Development

Create games without coding

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
RPG Maker MZ logo

RPG Maker MZ

Game Development

The next generation RPG creation software

From
$99.99/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only GDevelop has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: GDevelop the free tier allows 3 cloud projects and one desktop or Android build per day; RPG Maker MZ the free version is a 30 day trial only
  • They diverge on capability: GDevelop covers Visual event editor, RPG Maker MZ covers HTML5 rendering.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which GDevelop and RPG Maker MZ actually diverge.

Attributes where GDevelop and RPG Maker MZ differ
AttributeGDevelopRPG Maker MZ
Starting priceFree$99.99/one-time
Pricing modelfreesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, WebWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web, Steam
Founded20101945

Identical on both: 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 GDevelop

  • Visual event editor
  • Drag-and-drop interface
  • Physics engine
  • Particle effects
  • Sprite editor
  • Sound editor
  • Scene editor
  • Extensions support

Only in RPG Maker MZ

  • HTML5 rendering
  • Event system
  • Database editor
  • Pixel art support
  • JavaScript plugins
  • Voice acting support
  • Touch controls
  • Cross-platform

Both cover

  • GitHub
  • Local deployment
  • Web deployment
  • Mobile deployment
  • Windows support
  • Macos 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 RPG Maker MZ
  • Exporting one project to web, desktop, Android and iOSnot RPG Maker MZ

RPG Maker MZ

  • Making 2D tile based role playing games without programmingnot GDevelop
  • Building games from bundled tilesets, sprites, music and a character generatornot GDevelop
  • Event driven game logic through menu based scriptingnot 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

RPG Maker MZ

  • The free version is a 30 day trial only
  • The software cannot be launched or used unless network authentication completes
  • Installation is limited to two user devices, and installing on three or more is prohibited
  • Company support is not offered to any user who has not completed user registration
  • The licence restricts bundled assets to games produced with RPG Maker MZ and prohibits distributing individual assets
  • Distributed games must state in attached documentation that they were made with the software and must display the notice "(c)Gotcha Gotcha Games Inc./YOJI OJIMA 2020"

Pricing, plan by plan

GDevelop

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full editor
    • Cross-platform export
    • Asset library

RPG Maker MZ

$99.99/one-time
  • Standard$99.99/one-time
    • Modern HTML5 engine
    • Enhanced graphics
    • JavaScript plugins

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.
GDevelop review

Choose RPG Maker MZ if

  • You need html5 rendering.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web, Steam.
  • You also want event system.
RPG Maker MZ review

Questions people ask

Is GDevelop or RPG Maker MZ better?
Neither clearly leads. GDevelop starts at Free and RPG Maker MZ at $99.99/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, GDevelop or RPG Maker MZ?
GDevelop has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for GDevelop and $99.99/one-time for RPG Maker MZ.
Does GDevelop or RPG Maker MZ run on more platforms?
GDevelop runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web. RPG Maker MZ runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web, Steam.
Can I use GDevelop for free?
Yes. GDevelop has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. RPG Maker MZ starts at $99.99/one-time.
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 RPG Maker MZ is typically brought in for.
What can GDevelop do that RPG Maker MZ cannot?
GDevelop covers Visual event editor, Drag-and-drop interface, Physics engine, Particle effects. RPG Maker MZ covers HTML5 rendering, Event system, Database editor, Pixel art support. Both handle GitHub, Local deployment, Web deployment, Mobile deployment.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

GDevelop: How much does GDevelop cost?

GDevelop offers a free plan. Silver, Gold, and Pro tiers are available with monthly and yearly billing options that provide up to 40% savings for annual commitment, but specific prices are not displayed on their website.

Source
RPG Maker MZ: How much does RPG Maker MZ cost?

RPG Maker MZ pricing is not listed on the product overview page. The software can be purchased through the Official Store or Steam platform, both of which would display current pricing.

Source
GDevelop: What does GDevelop's free plan include?

The free plan includes a fully featured, open-source game engine with 3 cloud projects, 40 free AI credits per month, and limited publishing of 1 per day for desktop and Android.

Source
RPG Maker MZ: Does RPG Maker MZ offer a free trial?

Yes, RPG Maker MZ offers a free trial download option available on the product page.

Source
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