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Game Development · head to head

MonoGame vs Stencyl

MonoGame logo

MonoGame

Game Development

Create games using C# and MonoGame

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: MonoGame console targets for PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch require platform authorisation rather than being openly available; Stencyl the free Starter tier can publish to the web only
  • They diverge on capability: MonoGame covers C# language support, Stencyl covers Visual block programming.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which MonoGame and Stencyl actually diverge.

Attributes where MonoGame and Stencyl differ
AttributeMonoGameStencyl
Pricing modelfreesubscription
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, XboxWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Flash
Founded20092011

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 MonoGame

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

Only in Stencyl

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

Both cover

  • Local deployment
  • Mobile deployment
  • Windows support
  • Macos support
  • Linux support
  • Ios 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 Stencyl
  • Shipping to Windows, macOS and Linux from one codebasenot Stencyl
  • Mobile releases on Android, iOS and iPadOSnot Stencyl
  • Commercial indie titles with no royalty or runtime feenot Stencyl

Stencyl

  • Game development for independent creatorsnot MonoGame
  • Cross-platform game publishing (iOS, Android, Web, Desktop)not MonoGame
  • Indie game studio platformnot 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

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

MonoGame

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

Stencyl

Free
  • Starter (Free)Free
    • Publish to Web only
    • Includes Stencyl branding splash screen
  • Indie$99/year
    • Publish to Web and Desktop (Windows, Mac, Linux)
    • Early access to latest releases
    • No watermarks or forced Stencyl branding
  • Studio (Most Popular)$199/year
    • Publish to iOS, Android, Web and Desktop
    • Early access to latest releases
    • No watermarks or forced Stencyl branding

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 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 MonoGame or Stencyl better?
Neither clearly leads. MonoGame 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, MonoGame or Stencyl?
MonoGame starts at Free and Stencyl at Free.
Does MonoGame or Stencyl run on more platforms?
MonoGame runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox. Stencyl runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Flash.
Can I use MonoGame for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 Stencyl is typically brought in for.
What can MonoGame do that Stencyl cannot?
MonoGame covers C# language support, Graphics rendering, Audio engine, Physics integration. Stencyl covers Visual block programming, Drag-and-drop interface, Physics engine, Sprite animation. Both handle Local deployment, Mobile deployment, Windows support, Macos support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

MonoGame: How much does MonoGame cost?

MonoGame is completely free with no subscription model, royalty payments, licensing costs, or runtime fees.

Source
Stencyl: How much does Stencyl cost?

Stencyl offers a free Starter plan, Indie at $99/year, and Studio at $199/year. All platforms include annual subscriptions with no royalties or per-game fees.

Source
MonoGame: What funding model does MonoGame use?

MonoGame Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization supported by voluntary community donations rather than user fees.

Source
Stencyl: What platforms can I publish to with each Stencyl plan?

Starter publishes to Web only. Indie adds Desktop (Windows, Mac, Linux). Studio includes all Indie platforms plus iOS and Android mobile.

Source
Stencyl: Does Stencyl offer a money-back guarantee?

Yes, both Indie and Studio plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee from the date of purchase, provided you have not published any games.

Source
Stencyl: Can I use Stencyl after my subscription expires?

Yes, your games will continue to work after your subscription expires. However, you cannot publish new games or updates without an active subscription.

Source
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