Softwr

Game Development · head to head

RPG Maker MV vs Unity

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
Unity logo

Unity

Game Development

Create beautiful interactive content with the world's leading real-time engine

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Unity 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; Unity unity Personal is free only for businesses with under $200,000 in funding or annual revenue; above that a Pro subscription is required
  • They diverge on capability: RPG Maker MV covers Event-based system, Unity covers Visual editor.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which RPG Maker MV and Unity actually diverge.

Attributes where RPG Maker MV and Unity differ
AttributeRPG Maker MVUnity
Starting price$79.99/one-timeFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, WebWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Webgl
Founded19452004

Identical on both: 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 Unity

  • Visual editor
  • Physics engine (PhysX)
  • Animation system
  • Particle system
  • Built-in audio engine
  • Scripting with C#
  • Asset Store
  • Version control integration

Both cover

  • GitHub
  • Local deployment

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 Unity
  • Beginner game development with bundled art, audio and a database driven editornot Unity
  • Side view battle system RPGs with mouse and touch inputnot Unity

Unity

  • Building 2D and 3D games for desktop, mobile, web, AR and VRnot RPG Maker MV
  • Shipping console titles under a Pro or Enterprise licencenot RPG Maker MV
  • Real time 3D for manufacturing, automotive and retail visualisationnot RPG Maker MV
  • Live operations and in-app purchase management for mobile gamesnot 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

Unity

  • Unity Personal is free only for businesses with under $200,000 in funding or annual revenue; above that a Pro subscription is required
  • Unity Pro costs $210.00 per month or $2,310.00 per year per seat
  • Businesses with more than $25M in annual revenue are required to be on Unity Enterprise, which is custom priced and requires contacting sales
  • Deploying to game consoles and to Apple Vision Pro requires Unity Pro or above
  • Splash screen customization is not available on Unity Personal
  • Unity Personal is licensed for gaming and entertainment applications only
  • Read-only engine source code access is an Enterprise feature and carries an additional cost
  • Asset Manager storage on Personal is capped at 10 GB per organization
  • Unity AI tools are free for a 14 day trial on Personal, after which a paid subscription is required
  • Enterprise terms note that minimum subscription or spending commitments may apply

Pricing, plan by plan

RPG Maker MV

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

Unity

Free
  • PersonalFree
    • Full engine access
    • Asset Store access
    • Community support
  • Professional$399/month
    • All Personal features
    • Priority support
    • Advanced analytics

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 Unity if

  • You need visual editor.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Webgl.
  • You also want physics engine (physx).
Unity review

Questions people ask

Is RPG Maker MV or Unity better?
Neither clearly leads. RPG Maker MV starts at $79.99/one-time and Unity at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, RPG Maker MV or Unity?
Unity has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $79.99/one-time for RPG Maker MV and Free for Unity.
Does RPG Maker MV or Unity run on more platforms?
RPG Maker MV runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web. Unity runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Webgl.
Can I use Unity for free?
Yes. Unity 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 Unity is typically brought in for.
What can RPG Maker MV do that Unity cannot?
RPG Maker MV covers Event-based system, Database editor, Tilemap editor, Sprite animations. Unity covers Visual editor, Physics engine (PhysX), Animation system, Particle system. Both handle GitHub, Local deployment.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on RPG Maker MV

More on Unity

Keep looking

Other head to heads