Software · head to head
Pygame vs Gamesparks
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; Gamesparks aWS states "Starting October 1, 2022, access to the GameSparks console will no longer be available" and that all existing games and data needed to be migrated off the platform before that date
- They diverge on capability: Pygame covers Graphics rendering, Gamesparks covers Real-time features.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Pygame and Gamesparks actually diverge.
| Attribute | Pygame | Gamesparks |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | free | usage-based |
| Platforms | Windows, Macos, Linux, Android | Cross-platform |
| Founded | 2000 | 2006 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), 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 Pygame
- Graphics rendering
- Audio playback
- Input handling
- Sprite system
- Collision detection
- Font rendering
- Animation support
- Event system
Only in Gamesparks
- Real-time features
- Multiplayer support
- User authentication
- Data storage
- Matchmaking
- WebSocket support
- Cloud integration
- Analytics
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Pygame
- 2D game developmentnot Gamesparks
- Game prototypingnot Gamesparks
- Educational gamesnot Gamesparks
- Learning game developmentnot Gamesparks
Gamesparks
- Multiplayer gamesnot Pygame
- Real-time gamesnot Pygame
- Cloud gamingnot Pygame
- Game analyticsnot 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
Gamesparks
- AWS states "Starting October 1, 2022, access to the GameSparks console will no longer be available" and that all existing games and data needed to be migrated off the platform before that date
Pricing, plan by plan
Pygame
Free- FreeFree
- Full library
- Python support
- Graphics rendering
Gamesparks
Free- Free TierFree
- 1M API requests
- 1M CloudWatch logs
- Free for first year
- Pay-as-you-go$0.01/request
- Unlimited API requests
- Real-time multiplayer
- CloudWatch integration
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 Gamesparks if
- You need real-time features.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Cross-platform.
- You also want multiplayer support.
Questions people ask
- Is Pygame or Gamesparks better?
- Neither clearly leads. Pygame starts at Free and Gamesparks at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Pygame or Gamesparks?
- Pygame starts at Free and Gamesparks at Free.
- Does Pygame or Gamesparks run on more platforms?
- Pygame runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Android. Gamesparks runs on Cross-platform.
- 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 Gamesparks is typically brought in for.
- What can Pygame do that Gamesparks cannot?
- Pygame covers Graphics rendering, Audio playback, Input handling, Sprite system. Gamesparks covers Real-time features, Multiplayer support, User authentication, Data storage.