Software · head to head
Raylib vs Adventure Game Studio
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Raylib free and open source with no commercial tier, per the vendor site features section; Adventure Game Studio the AGS editor and IDE run only on Windows (Vista, 7, 8, 10 or 11), even though built games run on Linux, macOS, Android and iOS
- They diverge on capability: Raylib covers Graphics rendering, Adventure Game Studio covers Point-and-click editor.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Raylib and Adventure Game Studio actually diverge.
| Attribute | Raylib | Adventure Game Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows, Macos, Linux, Android, Web | Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web |
| Founded | 2013 | 1997 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (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 Raylib
- Graphics rendering
- Audio system
- Input handling
- Shapes drawing
- Sprite management
- Collision detection
- Font rendering
- Text input
Only in Adventure Game Studio
- Point-and-click editor
- Room system
- Sprite animation
- Built-in scripting
- Inventory system
- Dialog system
- Audio support
- Resolution scaling
Both cover
- Open-source
- Local deployment
- Web deployment
- Mobile deployment
- Windows support
- Macos support
- Linux support
- Android support
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Raylib
- Simple 2D gamesnot Adventure Game Studio
- Game prototypingnot Adventure Game Studio
- Educational gamesnot Adventure Game Studio
- Learning game developmentnot Adventure Game Studio
Adventure Game Studio
- Building point-and-click adventure games in a classic Sierra or LucasArts stylenot Raylib
- Shipping a commercial or freeware adventure game with no licence feenot Raylib
- Scripting game logic in a Java or C# style language with a built-in debuggernot Raylib
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Raylib
- Free and open source with no commercial tier, per the vendor site features section
Adventure Game Studio
- The AGS editor and IDE run only on Windows (Vista, 7, 8, 10 or 11), even though built games run on Linux, macOS, Android and iOS
- The editor requires the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable, and .NET Framework 4.5 on Windows 7 and Vista
- Video playback supports only FLC and OGV (Ogg Theora) and is full-screen only; AVI and WMV support was dropped after version 3.6.0 and existed only on Windows builds
- MSSCCI source control integration was discontinued in version 3.6.0
- Graphics drivers are limited to Direct3D 9 and OpenGL
- Audio format support is limited to OGG, MP3, WAV, MOD, XM and MIDI
- Support is community-only through forums and Discord, with no vendor support channel
Pricing, plan by plan
Raylib
Free- FreeFree
- Full library
- C/C++ support
- Graphics rendering
Adventure Game Studio
Free- FreeFree
- Full editor
- Built-in script editor
- Room editor
Which should you pick?
Choose Raylib if
- You need graphics rendering.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Android, Web.
- You also want audio system.
Choose Adventure Game Studio if
- You need point-and-click editor.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
- You also want room system.
Questions people ask
- Is Raylib or Adventure Game Studio better?
- Neither clearly leads. Raylib starts at Free and Adventure Game Studio at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Raylib or Adventure Game Studio?
- Raylib starts at Free and Adventure Game Studio at Free.
- Does Raylib or Adventure Game Studio run on more platforms?
- Raylib runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Android, Web. Adventure Game Studio runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
- Can I use Raylib for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Raylib best used for?
- Raylib is most often used for simple 2d games, game prototyping, educational games, learning game development. Of those, simple 2d games and game prototyping are not what Adventure Game Studio is typically brought in for.
- What can Raylib do that Adventure Game Studio cannot?
- Raylib covers Graphics rendering, Audio system, Input handling, Shapes drawing. Adventure Game Studio covers Point-and-click editor, Room system, Sprite animation, Built-in scripting. Both handle Open-source, Local deployment, Web deployment, Mobile deployment.