Game Development · head to head
Pygame vs AppGameKit
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Pygame licensed under GNU LGPL v2.1, free to use even in closed-source and commercial games, no paid tier; AppGameKit exports to Windows, iOS and Android only, so there is no macOS, Linux or console target
- They diverge on capability: Pygame covers Graphics rendering, AppGameKit covers BASIC-like scripting.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Pygame and AppGameKit actually diverge.
| Attribute | Pygame | AppGameKit |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows, Macos, Linux, Android | Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Tvos |
| Founded | 2000 | 2004 |
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 Pygame
- Graphics rendering
- Audio playback
- Input handling
- Sprite system
- Collision detection
- Font rendering
- Animation support
- Event system
Only in AppGameKit
- BASIC-like scripting
- Visual sprite editor
- Physics engine
- Sound and music
- Particle effects
- Tile support
- Multi-platform export
- Built-in debugger
Both cover
- Local deployment
- Windows support
- Macos support
- Linux support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Pygame
- 2D game developmentnot AppGameKit
- Game prototypingnot AppGameKit
- Educational gamesnot AppGameKit
- Learning game developmentnot AppGameKit
AppGameKit
- 2D and 3D game development from a single codebasenot Pygame
- Cross-platform mobile game builds for iOS and Androidnot Pygame
- Learning game programming in a BASIC-derived languagenot Pygame
- Prototyping small games quicklynot Pygame
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Pygame
- Licensed under GNU LGPL v2.1, free to use even in closed-source and commercial games, no paid tier
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
Pricing, plan by plan
Pygame
Free- FreeFree
- Full library
- Python support
- Graphics rendering
AppGameKit
Free- FreeFree
- Full editor
- Multi-platform export
- Built-in IDE
Which should you pick?
Choose Pygame if
- You need graphics rendering.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Android.
- You also want audio playback.
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.
Questions people ask
- Is Pygame or AppGameKit better?
- Neither clearly leads. Pygame starts at Free and AppGameKit at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Pygame or AppGameKit?
- Pygame starts at Free and AppGameKit at Free.
- Does Pygame or AppGameKit run on more platforms?
- Pygame runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Android. AppGameKit runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Tvos.
- Can I use Pygame for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Pygame best used for?
- Pygame is most often used for 2d game development, game prototyping, educational games, learning game development. Of those, 2d game development and game prototyping are not what AppGameKit is typically brought in for.
- What can Pygame do that AppGameKit cannot?
- Pygame covers Graphics rendering, Audio playback, Input handling, Sprite system. AppGameKit covers BASIC-like scripting, Visual sprite editor, Physics engine, Sound and music. Both handle Local deployment, Windows support, Macos support, Linux support.