Software · head to head
RPG Maker MV vs AppGameKit
RPG Maker MV
Software
Create 2D RPGs with ease. The perfect tool for indie developers
- From
- $79.99/one-time
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only AppGameKit has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: RPG Maker MV the free version is a 30 day trial only; AppGameKit exports to Windows, iOS and Android only, so there is no macOS, Linux or console target
- They diverge on capability: RPG Maker MV covers Event-based system, AppGameKit covers BASIC-like scripting.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which RPG Maker MV and AppGameKit actually diverge.
| Attribute | RPG Maker MV | AppGameKit |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $79.99/one-time | Free |
| Pricing model | subscription | free |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web | Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Tvos |
| Founded | 1945 | 2004 |
Identical on both: 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 RPG Maker MV
- Event-based system
- Database editor
- Tilemap editor
- Sprite animations
- JavaScript support
- Plugin system
- Built-in music library
- NPC dialogue 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
- GitHub
- Local deployment
- Mobile deployment
- Windows support
- Macos support
- Linux support
- Ios support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
RPG Maker MV
- Making 2D role playing games and exporting to Windows, macOS, Android, iOS and HTML5not AppGameKit
- Beginner game development with bundled art, audio and a database driven editornot AppGameKit
- Side view battle system RPGs with mouse and touch inputnot AppGameKit
AppGameKit
- 2D and 3D game development from a single codebasenot RPG Maker MV
- Cross-platform mobile game builds for iOS and Androidnot RPG Maker MV
- Learning game programming in a BASIC-derived languagenot RPG Maker MV
- Prototyping small games quicklynot RPG Maker MV
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
RPG Maker MV
- The free version is a 30 day trial only
- The licence restricts bundled company materials to games created with the software and prohibits distributing them independently or combined with other programs
- Distributed games must indicate in attached documentation that they were created using the software and carry the Gotcha Gotcha Games statement of rights
- Extracting or modifying the bundled programs or assets out of a released game is prohibited
- Installing and using the software on three or more user devices is prohibited
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
RPG Maker MV
$79.99/one-time- Standard$79.99/one-time
- Full editor access
- Unlimited projects
- Asset library
AppGameKit
Free- FreeFree
- Full editor
- Multi-platform export
- Built-in IDE
Which should you pick?
Choose RPG Maker MV if
- You need event-based system.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
- You also want database editor.
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 RPG Maker MV or AppGameKit better?
- Neither clearly leads. RPG Maker MV starts at $79.99/one-time and AppGameKit at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, RPG Maker MV or AppGameKit?
- AppGameKit has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $79.99/one-time for RPG Maker MV and Free for AppGameKit.
- Does RPG Maker MV or AppGameKit run on more platforms?
- RPG Maker MV runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web. AppGameKit runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Tvos.
- Can I use AppGameKit for free?
- Yes. AppGameKit has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. RPG Maker MV starts at $79.99/one-time.
- What is RPG Maker MV best used for?
- RPG Maker MV is most often used for making 2d role playing games and exporting to windows, macos, android, ios and html5, beginner game development with bundled art, audio and a database driven editor, side view battle system rpgs with mouse and touch input. Of those, making 2d role playing games and exporting to windows, macos, android, ios and html5 and beginner game development with bundled art, audio and a database driven editor are not what AppGameKit is typically brought in for.
- What can RPG Maker MV do that AppGameKit cannot?
- RPG Maker MV covers Event-based system, Database editor, Tilemap editor, Sprite animations. AppGameKit covers BASIC-like scripting, Visual sprite editor, Physics engine, Sound and music. Both handle GitHub, Local deployment, Mobile deployment, Windows support.