Software · head to head
Stencyl vs AppGameKit
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Stencyl the free Starter tier can publish to the web only; AppGameKit exports to Windows, iOS and Android only, so there is no macOS, Linux or console target
- They diverge on capability: Stencyl covers Visual block programming, AppGameKit covers BASIC-like scripting.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Stencyl and AppGameKit actually diverge.
| Attribute | Stencyl | AppGameKit |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Flash | Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Tvos |
| Founded | 2011 | 2004 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (free), free tier (Yes), 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 Stencyl
- Visual block programming
- Drag-and-drop interface
- Sprite animation
- Tilemap editor
- Actor system
- Haxe support
- Dropbox
- Open-source blocks
Only in AppGameKit
- BASIC-like scripting
- Visual sprite editor
- Particle effects
- Tile support
- Multi-platform export
- Built-in debugger
- Code compilation
- Tv deployment
Both cover
- Physics engine
- Sound and music
- GitHub
- Visual Studio Code
- Local deployment
- Mobile deployment
- Windows support
- Macos support
- Linux support
- Ios support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Stencyl
- Building 2D games with visual block based logicnot AppGameKit
- Publishing the same project to web, desktop and mobilenot AppGameKit
AppGameKit
- 2D and 3D game development from a single codebasenot Stencyl
- Cross-platform mobile game builds for iOS and Androidnot Stencyl
- Learning game programming in a BASIC-derived languagenot Stencyl
- Prototyping small games quicklynot Stencyl
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Stencyl
- The free Starter tier can publish to the web only
- Desktop publishing requires the Indie plan at $99 a year
- iOS and Android publishing require the Studio plan at $199 a year
- Licences are annual, so continuing to publish means continuing to pay
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
Stencyl
Free- FreeFree
- Full editor access
- Desktop export
- Mobile export
AppGameKit
Free- FreeFree
- Full editor
- Multi-platform export
- Built-in IDE
Which should you pick?
Choose Stencyl if
- You need visual block programming.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Flash.
- You also want drag-and-drop interface.
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 Stencyl or AppGameKit better?
- Neither clearly leads. Stencyl starts at Free and AppGameKit at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Stencyl or AppGameKit?
- Stencyl starts at Free and AppGameKit at Free.
- Does Stencyl or AppGameKit run on more platforms?
- Stencyl runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Flash. AppGameKit runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Tvos.
- Can I use Stencyl for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Stencyl best used for?
- Stencyl is most often used for building 2d games with visual block based logic, publishing the same project to web, desktop and mobile. Of those, building 2d games with visual block based logic and publishing the same project to web, desktop and mobile are not what AppGameKit is typically brought in for.
- What can Stencyl do that AppGameKit cannot?
- Stencyl covers Visual block programming, Drag-and-drop interface, Sprite animation, Tilemap editor. AppGameKit covers BASIC-like scripting, Visual sprite editor, Particle effects, Tile support. Both handle Physics engine, Sound and music, GitHub, Visual Studio Code.