Game Development · head to head
Raylib vs GameMaker Studio 2
Raylib
Game Development
A simple and easy-to-use library for game development
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
GameMaker Studio 2
Game Development
The fastest way to create games. For everyone.
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Raylib free and open source with no commercial tier, per the vendor site features section; 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: Raylib covers Graphics rendering, GameMaker Studio 2 covers Drag-and-drop interface.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Raylib and GameMaker Studio 2 actually diverge.
| Attribute | Raylib | GameMaker Studio 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | free | freemium |
| Platforms | Windows, Macos, Linux, Android, Web | Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, Switch |
| Founded | 2013 | 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 Raylib
- Graphics rendering
- Audio system
- Input handling
- Shapes drawing
- Sprite management
- Collision detection
- Font rendering
- Text input
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
- Mobile deployment
- Windows support
- Macos support
- Linux support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Raylib
- Simple 2D gamesnot 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 Raylib
- Indie game development with a drag and drop and GML scripting workflownot Raylib
- Publishing to consoles under an Enterprise subscriptionnot 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
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
Raylib
Free- FreeFree
- Full library
- C/C++ 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 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 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 Raylib or GameMaker Studio 2 better?
- Neither clearly leads. Raylib 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, Raylib or GameMaker Studio 2?
- Raylib starts at Free and GameMaker Studio 2 at Free.
- Does Raylib or GameMaker Studio 2 run on more platforms?
- Raylib runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Android, Web. GameMaker Studio 2 runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, Switch.
- 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 GameMaker Studio 2 is typically brought in for.
- What can Raylib do that GameMaker Studio 2 cannot?
- Raylib covers Graphics rendering, Audio system, Input handling, Shapes drawing. GameMaker Studio 2 covers Drag-and-drop interface, GML programming language, Sprite editor, Animation frames. Both handle Local deployment, Mobile deployment, Windows support, Macos support.