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Game Development · head to head

Godot Engine vs Stencyl

Godot Engine logo

Godot Engine

Game Development

Free and open-source 2D and 3D game engine

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Stencyl logo

Stencyl

Game Development

Create games with visual programming

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Godot Engine no royalties or licensing fees, but requires self-hosting and maintenance of the engine builds; Stencyl the free Starter tier can publish to the web only
  • They diverge on capability: Godot Engine covers Scene system, Stencyl covers Visual block programming.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Godot Engine and Stencyl actually diverge.

Attributes where Godot Engine and Stencyl differ
AttributeGodot EngineStencyl
Pricing modelopen-sourcefree
PlatformsLinux, macOS, Windows, Android, iOS, Web, ConsolesWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Flash
Founded20072011

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Godot Engine

  • Scene system
  • GDScript language
  • Visual shader editor
  • 2D and 3D rendering
  • Built-in animation tools
  • Debugging tools
  • Asset library
  • Git

Only in Stencyl

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

Both cover

  • Physics engine
  • GitHub
  • Local deployment
  • Web deployment
  • Windows support
  • Macos support
  • Linux support

What people use each for

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

Godot Engine

  • 2D game developmentnot Stencyl
  • 3D game developmentnot Stencyl
  • Cross-platform game deploymentnot Stencyl
  • VFX and simulation projectsnot Stencyl

Stencyl

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

Where each one falls short

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

Godot Engine

  • No royalties or licensing fees, but requires self-hosting and maintenance of the engine builds
  • Console export support exists but requires additional SDK setup and licensing with each console manufacturer separately

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

Godot Engine

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Godot Engine review.

Stencyl

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Godot Engine if

  • You need scene system.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, macOS, Windows, Android, iOS, Web, Consoles.
  • You also want gdscript language.
Godot Engine 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 Godot Engine or Stencyl better?
Neither clearly leads. Godot Engine 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, Godot Engine or Stencyl?
Godot Engine starts at Free and Stencyl at Free.
Does Godot Engine or Stencyl run on more platforms?
Godot Engine runs on Linux, macOS, Windows, Android, iOS, Web, Consoles. Stencyl runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Flash.
Can I use Godot Engine for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Godot Engine best used for?
Godot Engine is most often used for 2d game development, 3d game development, cross-platform game deployment, vfx and simulation projects. Of those, 2d game development and 3d game development are not what Stencyl is typically brought in for.
What can Godot Engine do that Stencyl cannot?
Godot Engine covers Scene system, GDScript language, Visual shader editor, 2D and 3D rendering. Stencyl covers Visual block programming, Drag-and-drop interface, Sprite animation, Sound and music. Both handle Physics engine, GitHub, Local deployment, Web deployment.
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