Game Development · head to head
Pygame vs GameMaker Studio 2
GameMaker Studio 2
Game Development
The fastest way to create games. For everyone.
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
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; 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: Pygame covers Graphics rendering, GameMaker Studio 2 covers Drag-and-drop interface.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Pygame and GameMaker Studio 2 actually diverge.
| Attribute | Pygame | GameMaker Studio 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | free | freemium |
| Platforms | Windows, Macos, Linux, Android | Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, Switch |
| Founded | 2000 | 1999 |
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 Pygame
- Graphics rendering
- Audio playback
- Input handling
- Sprite system
- Collision detection
- Font rendering
- Animation support
- Event system
Only in GameMaker Studio 2
- Drag-and-drop interface
- GML programming language
- Sprite editor
- Animation frames
- Sound editor
- Room editor
- Particle effects
- Physics system
Both cover
- Local deployment
- Windows support
- Macos support
- Linux support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Pygame
- 2D game developmentnot GameMaker Studio 2
- Game prototypingnot GameMaker Studio 2
- Educational gamesnot GameMaker Studio 2
- Learning game developmentnot GameMaker Studio 2
GameMaker Studio 2
- Building 2D games for desktop, web and mobilenot Pygame
- Indie game development with a drag and drop and GML scripting workflownot Pygame
- Publishing to consoles under an Enterprise subscriptionnot 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
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
Pygame
Free- FreeFree
- Full library
- Python support
- Graphics rendering
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 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 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.
Questions people ask
- Is Pygame or GameMaker Studio 2 better?
- Neither clearly leads. Pygame 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, Pygame or GameMaker Studio 2?
- Pygame starts at Free and GameMaker Studio 2 at Free.
- Does Pygame or GameMaker Studio 2 run on more platforms?
- Pygame runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Android. GameMaker Studio 2 runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, Switch.
- 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 GameMaker Studio 2 is typically brought in for.
- What can Pygame do that GameMaker Studio 2 cannot?
- Pygame covers Graphics rendering, Audio playback, Input handling, Sprite system. GameMaker Studio 2 covers Drag-and-drop interface, GML programming language, Sprite editor, Animation frames. Both handle Local deployment, Windows support, Macos support, Linux support.