Softwr

Software · head to head

MonoGame vs Pico-8

MonoGame logo

MonoGame

Software

Create games using C# and MonoGame

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Pico-8 logo

Pico-8

Software

A fantasy console for making, sharing and playing tiny games

From
$14.99/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only MonoGame has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: MonoGame console targets for PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch require platform authorisation rather than being openly available; Pico-8 extremely limited display resolution of 128x128 pixels with 16-colour palette
  • They diverge on capability: MonoGame covers C# language support, Pico-8 covers Pixel art editor.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which MonoGame and Pico-8 actually diverge.

Attributes where MonoGame and Pico-8 differ
AttributeMonoGamePico-8
Starting priceFree$14.99/one-time
Pricing modelfreeone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, XboxWindows, macOS, Linux, Raspberry Pi
Founded20092005

Identical on both: 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 MonoGame

  • C# language support
  • Graphics rendering
  • Audio engine
  • Physics integration
  • Content pipeline
  • Input handling
  • 2D and 3D support
  • Visual Studio

Only in Pico-8

  • Pixel art editor
  • Music composer
  • Lua scripting
  • Built-in palette
  • Map editor
  • Code editor
  • Game cartridges
  • GitHub

Both cover

  • Sprite system
  • Local deployment
  • Windows support
  • Macos support
  • Linux support

What people use each for

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

MonoGame

  • Cross-platform game development in C# and .NETnot Pico-8
  • Shipping to Windows, macOS and Linux from one codebasenot Pico-8
  • Mobile releases on Android, iOS and iPadOSnot Pico-8
  • Commercial indie titles with no royalty or runtime feenot Pico-8

Pico-8

  • Retro-style indie game developmentnot MonoGame
  • Educational game programmingnot MonoGame
  • Game jam participationnot MonoGame
  • Pixel art game creation with strict creative constraintsnot MonoGame

Where each one falls short

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

MonoGame

  • Console targets for PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch require platform authorisation rather than being openly available
  • A code-first framework in C# with no bundled editor or visual scene tooling

Pico-8

  • Extremely limited display resolution of 128x128 pixels with 16-colour palette
  • Cart size capped at 32 kilobytes
  • Only 256 sprites of 8x8 pixels available
  • Map limited to 128x32 tiles
  • Monophonic sound synthesis with 4-channel chip synthesis only
  • Lua programming language exclusively; no other language support

Pricing, plan by plan

MonoGame

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full framework
    • C# support
    • Cross-platform

Pico-8

$14.99/one-time

No published plan breakdown. See the Pico-8 review.

Which should you pick?

Choose MonoGame if

  • You need c# language support.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox.
  • You also want graphics rendering.
MonoGame review

Choose Pico-8 if

  • You need pixel art editor.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux, Raspberry Pi.
  • You also want music composer.
Pico-8 review

Questions people ask

Is MonoGame or Pico-8 better?
Neither clearly leads. MonoGame starts at Free and Pico-8 at $14.99/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, MonoGame or Pico-8?
MonoGame has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for MonoGame and $14.99/one-time for Pico-8.
Does MonoGame or Pico-8 run on more platforms?
MonoGame runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox. Pico-8 runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Raspberry Pi.
Can I use MonoGame for free?
Yes. MonoGame has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Pico-8 starts at $14.99/one-time.
What is MonoGame best used for?
MonoGame is most often used for cross-platform game development in c# and .net, shipping to windows, macos and linux from one codebase, mobile releases on android, ios and ipados, commercial indie titles with no royalty or runtime fee. Of those, cross-platform game development in c# and .net and shipping to windows, macos and linux from one codebase are not what Pico-8 is typically brought in for.
What can MonoGame do that Pico-8 cannot?
MonoGame covers C# language support, Graphics rendering, Audio engine, Physics integration. Pico-8 covers Pixel art editor, Music composer, Lua scripting, Built-in palette. Both handle Sprite system, Local deployment, Windows support, Macos support.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on MonoGame

More on Pico-8

Keep looking

Other head to heads