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PlayFab vs GameMaker Studio 2

PlayFab logo

PlayFab

Software

Player data backend for games

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
GameMaker Studio 2 logo

GameMaker Studio 2

Software

The fastest way to create games. For everyone.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: PlayFab a title in development mode can only have up to 1,000 lifetime player account creations; GameMaker Studio 2 the free tier is a non-commercial licence; selling a game requires the Professional licence at $99.99
  • They diverge on capability: PlayFab covers Player authentication, GameMaker Studio 2 covers Drag-and-drop interface.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which PlayFab and GameMaker Studio 2 actually diverge.

Attributes where PlayFab and GameMaker Studio 2 differ
AttributePlayFabGameMaker Studio 2
PlatformsCross-platformWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, Switch
Founded19751999

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), 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 PlayFab

  • Player authentication
  • Data storage
  • Analytics
  • Multiplayer features
  • Economy system
  • Matchmaking
  • Cloud saves
  • Leaderboards

Only in GameMaker Studio 2

  • Drag-and-drop interface
  • GML programming language
  • Sprite editor
  • Animation frames
  • Sound editor
  • Room editor
  • Particle effects
  • Physics system

What people use each for

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

PlayFab

  • Backend as a service for live games, covering accounts, leaderboards and player datanot GameMaker Studio 2
  • Hosting dedicated multiplayer game servers on Azurenot GameMaker Studio 2
  • LiveOps, in-game economy and player segmentation for game studiosnot GameMaker Studio 2

GameMaker Studio 2

  • Building 2D games for desktop, web and mobilenot PlayFab
  • Indie game development with a drag and drop and GML scripting workflownot PlayFab
  • Publishing to consoles under an Enterprise subscriptionnot PlayFab

Where each one falls short

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

PlayFab

  • A title in development mode can only have up to 1,000 lifetime player account creations
  • Multiplayer server costs are billed per VM compute hour on Azure virtual machines and vary by region and VM family
  • Network egress is charged per GB and varies by zone, at $0.05 in Zone 1, $0.08 in Zone 2 and $0.20 in Zone 3
  • Pricing is consumption based across a set of separate meters rather than a flat plan
  • The vendor states prices are subject to change and that actual costs depend on the PlayFab plan and usage

GameMaker Studio 2

  • The free tier is a non-commercial licence; selling a game requires the Professional licence at $99.99
  • Console exports are available only on the Enterprise subscription, which is billed at $79.49 per month
  • Source code access is limited to the Enterprise tier
  • Older Creator and Indie subscriptions are no longer renewed when the licence expires
  • Owners of a permanent GameMaker Studio 2 licence get no discount toward current licences

Pricing, plan by plan

PlayFab

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 100K monthly active users
    • Basic API
    • Player authentication
  • Professional$100/month
    • Unlimited MAU
    • Advanced features
    • Priority support

GameMaker Studio 2

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Desktop game creation
    • Community support
    • Standard export options
  • Pro$99/year
    • All Free features
    • Advanced export modules
    • Mobile platforms

Which should you pick?

Choose PlayFab if

  • You need player authentication.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Cross-platform.
  • You also want data storage.
PlayFab review

Choose GameMaker Studio 2 if

  • You need drag-and-drop interface.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, Switch.
  • You also want gml programming language.
GameMaker Studio 2 review

Questions people ask

Is PlayFab or GameMaker Studio 2 better?
Neither clearly leads. PlayFab starts at Free and GameMaker Studio 2 at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, PlayFab or GameMaker Studio 2?
PlayFab starts at Free and GameMaker Studio 2 at Free.
Does PlayFab or GameMaker Studio 2 run on more platforms?
PlayFab runs on Cross-platform. GameMaker Studio 2 runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, Switch.
Can I use PlayFab for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is PlayFab best used for?
PlayFab is most often used for backend as a service for live games, covering accounts, leaderboards and player data, hosting dedicated multiplayer game servers on azure, liveops, in-game economy and player segmentation for game studios. Of those, backend as a service for live games, covering accounts, leaderboards and player data and hosting dedicated multiplayer game servers on azure are not what GameMaker Studio 2 is typically brought in for.
What can PlayFab do that GameMaker Studio 2 cannot?
PlayFab covers Player authentication, Data storage, Analytics, Multiplayer features. GameMaker Studio 2 covers Drag-and-drop interface, GML programming language, Sprite editor, Animation frames.
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