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Game Development · head to head

RPG Maker MZ vs Substance 3D Painter

RPG Maker MZ logo

RPG Maker MZ

Game Development

The next generation RPG creation software

From
$99.99/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 MZ covers HTML5 rendering, 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 MZ and Substance 3D Painter actually diverge.

Attributes where RPG Maker MZ and Substance 3D Painter differ
AttributeRPG Maker MZSubstance 3D Painter
Starting price$99.99/one-time$29/month
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web, SteamWindows, 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 MZ

  • HTML5 rendering
  • Event system
  • Database editor
  • Pixel art support
  • JavaScript plugins
  • Voice acting support
  • Touch controls
  • Cross-platform

Only in Substance 3D Painter

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

Both cover

  • Windows support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

RPG Maker MZ

  • Making 2D tile based role playing games without programmingnot Substance 3D Painter
  • Building games from bundled tilesets, sprites, music and a character generatornot Substance 3D Painter
  • Event driven game logic through menu based scriptingnot Substance 3D Painter

Substance 3D Painter

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

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

RPG Maker MZ

  • The free version is a 30 day trial only
  • The software cannot be launched or used unless network authentication completes
  • Installation is limited to two user devices, and installing on three or more is prohibited
  • Company support is not offered to any user who has not completed user registration
  • The licence restricts bundled assets to games produced with RPG Maker MZ and prohibits distributing individual assets
  • Distributed games must state in attached documentation that they were made with the software and must display the notice "(c)Gotcha Gotcha Games Inc./YOJI OJIMA 2020"

Substance 3D Painter

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

Pricing, plan by plan

RPG Maker MZ

$99.99/one-time
  • Standard$99.99/one-time
    • Modern HTML5 engine
    • Enhanced graphics
    • JavaScript plugins

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 MZ if

  • You need html5 rendering.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web, Steam.
  • You also want event system.
RPG Maker MZ 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 MZ or Substance 3D Painter better?
Neither clearly leads. RPG Maker MZ starts at $99.99/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 MZ or Substance 3D Painter?
RPG Maker MZ starts at $99.99/one-time and Substance 3D Painter at $29/month.
Does RPG Maker MZ or Substance 3D Painter run on more platforms?
RPG Maker MZ runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web, Steam. Substance 3D Painter runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
What is RPG Maker MZ best used for?
RPG Maker MZ is most often used for making 2d tile based role playing games without programming, building games from bundled tilesets, sprites, music and a character generator, event driven game logic through menu based scripting. Of those, making 2d tile based role playing games without programming and building games from bundled tilesets, sprites, music and a character generator are not what Substance 3D Painter is typically brought in for.
What can RPG Maker MZ do that Substance 3D Painter cannot?
RPG Maker MZ covers HTML5 rendering, Event system, Database editor, Pixel art support. Substance 3D Painter covers 3D painting, Smart materials, Generators, PBR workflow. Both handle Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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

RPG Maker MZ 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 MZ: Does RPG Maker MZ offer a free trial?

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

Source
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