Softwr

Game Development · head to head

AppGameKit vs Lumberyard

AppGameKit logo

AppGameKit

Game Development

Create cross-platform 2D games and apps

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Lumberyard logo

Lumberyard

Game Development

Build AAA games with a free, cross-platform engine

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: AppGameKit exports to Windows, iOS and Android only, so there is no macOS, Linux or console target; Lumberyard aWS Lumberyard free tier has restricted access and is intended for getting started only
  • They diverge on capability: AppGameKit covers BASIC-like scripting, Lumberyard covers CryEngine foundation.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which AppGameKit and Lumberyard actually diverge.

Attributes where AppGameKit and Lumberyard differ
AttributeAppGameKitLumberyard
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, TvosWindows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux
Founded20042006

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (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 AppGameKit

  • BASIC-like scripting
  • Visual sprite editor
  • Physics engine
  • Sound and music
  • Particle effects
  • Tile support
  • Multi-platform export
  • Built-in debugger

Only in Lumberyard

  • CryEngine foundation
  • Lua scripting
  • Flowgraph editor
  • Advanced graphics
  • Physics simulation
  • AWS GameLift integration
  • Multiplayer support
  • VR capabilities

Both cover

  • Local deployment
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

AppGameKit

  • 2D and 3D game development from a single codebasenot Lumberyard
  • Cross-platform mobile game builds for iOS and Androidnot Lumberyard
  • Learning game programming in a BASIC-derived languagenot Lumberyard
  • Prototyping small games quicklynot Lumberyard

Lumberyard

  • Building 3D games with an AWS-integrated enginenot AppGameKit
  • Cloud-connected multiplayer game backendsnot AppGameKit
  • Twitch integration for streamed gameplay featuresnot AppGameKit

Where each one falls short

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

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

Lumberyard

  • AWS Lumberyard free tier has restricted access and is intended for getting started only
  • Production use requires pay-as-you-go costs that scale with usage
  • Exact pricing depends on specific AWS services consumed and usage levels

Pricing, plan by plan

AppGameKit

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full editor
    • Multi-platform export
    • Built-in IDE

Lumberyard

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full engine source
    • AWS integration
    • Lua scripting

Which should you pick?

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.
AppGameKit review

Choose Lumberyard if

  • You need cryengine foundation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux.
  • You also want lua scripting.
Lumberyard review

Questions people ask

Is AppGameKit or Lumberyard better?
Neither clearly leads. AppGameKit starts at Free and Lumberyard at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, AppGameKit or Lumberyard?
AppGameKit starts at Free and Lumberyard at Free.
Does AppGameKit or Lumberyard run on more platforms?
AppGameKit runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Tvos. Lumberyard runs on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux.
Can I use AppGameKit for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is AppGameKit best used for?
AppGameKit is most often used for 2d and 3d game development from a single codebase, cross-platform mobile game builds for ios and android, learning game programming in a basic-derived language, prototyping small games quickly. Of those, 2d and 3d game development from a single codebase and cross-platform mobile game builds for ios and android are not what Lumberyard is typically brought in for.
What can AppGameKit do that Lumberyard cannot?
AppGameKit covers BASIC-like scripting, Visual sprite editor, Physics engine, Sound and music. Lumberyard covers CryEngine foundation, Lua scripting, Flowgraph editor, Advanced graphics. Both handle Local deployment, Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

AppGameKit: How much does AppGameKit cost?

AppGameKit pricing is not published on the AppGameKit website. The product is distributed via Steam store, where pricing information can be obtained.

Source
Lumberyard: Does AWS Lumberyard cost money?

AWS Lumberyard is not free for production use. The service offers a free tier for getting started, hands-on experience, and development. Production deployments use AWS's pay-as-you-go pricing model where costs scale with your usage.

Source
Lumberyard: How is AWS Lumberyard priced?

Lumberyard uses AWS's flexible consumption-based pricing. Customers can use the free tier to explore services, then pay for what they use in production. AWS also offers Savings Plans for lower prices on committed usage.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on AppGameKit

More on Lumberyard

Keep looking

Other head to heads