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Game Development · head to head

RPG Maker MV vs Substance 3D Painter

RPG Maker MV logo

RPG Maker MV

Game Development

Create 2D RPGs with ease. The perfect tool for indie developers

From
$79.99/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Substance 3D Painter logo

Substance 3D Painter

Game Development

3D texture painting software

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • They diverge on capability: RPG Maker MV covers Event-based system, Substance 3D Painter covers 3D painting.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which RPG Maker MV and Substance 3D Painter actually diverge.

Attributes where RPG Maker MV and Substance 3D Painter differ
AttributeRPG Maker MVSubstance 3D Painter
Starting price$79.99/one-time$29/month
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, WebWindows, MacOS, Linux
Founded19451982

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), 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 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 Substance 3D Painter

  • 3D painting
  • Smart materials
  • Generators
  • PBR workflow
  • Baking
  • Export presets
  • Scripting
  • Maya

Both cover

  • Windows support
  • Linux 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 Substance 3D Painter
  • Beginner game development with bundled art, audio and a database driven editornot Substance 3D Painter
  • Side view battle system RPGs with mouse and touch inputnot Substance 3D Painter

Substance 3D Painter

  • Game texturingnot RPG Maker MV
  • Film assetsnot RPG Maker MV
  • Product visualizationnot 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

Substance 3D Painter

Nothing recorded yet. See the Substance 3D Painter review.

Pricing, plan by plan

RPG Maker MV

$79.99/one-time
  • Standard$79.99/one-time
    • Full editor access
    • Unlimited projects
    • Asset library

Substance 3D Painter

$29/month
  • Substance 3D Texturing$19.99/month
    • Painter + Sampler
  • Substance 3D Collection$49.99/month
    • All Substance apps

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.
RPG Maker MV review

Choose Substance 3D Painter if

  • You need 3d painting.
  • You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
  • You also want smart materials.
Substance 3D Painter review

Questions people ask

Is RPG Maker MV or Substance 3D Painter better?
Neither clearly leads. RPG Maker MV starts at $79.99/one-time and Substance 3D Painter at $29/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, RPG Maker MV or Substance 3D Painter?
RPG Maker MV starts at $79.99/one-time and Substance 3D Painter at $29/month.
Does RPG Maker MV or Substance 3D Painter run on more platforms?
RPG Maker MV runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web. Substance 3D Painter runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
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 Substance 3D Painter is typically brought in for.
What can RPG Maker MV do that Substance 3D Painter cannot?
RPG Maker MV covers Event-based system, Database editor, Tilemap editor, Sprite animations. Substance 3D Painter covers 3D painting, Smart materials, Generators, PBR workflow. Both handle Windows support, Linux support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

RPG Maker MV: How much does RPG Maker MV cost?

RPG Maker MV pricing is not listed on the product overview page. The software can be purchased through the Official Store or Steam platform, both of which would display current pricing.

Source
Substance 3D Painter: Does Substance 3D Painter offer a free trial?

Free trial availability for Substance 3D Painter cannot be confirmed from publicly accessible pricing pages. Check the product page directly or contact Adobe for current trial offers.

Source
RPG Maker MV: Does RPG Maker MV offer a free trial?

Yes, RPG Maker MV offers a free trial download available on the product page.

Source
RPG Maker MV: What does an RPG Maker MV purchase include?

Your RPG Maker MV purchase includes the stand-alone version for Windows, a complimentary Steam key for Windows/Mac/Linux, and free bonus materials.

Source
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