Game Development · head to head
Stencyl vs Armory3D
Armory3D
Game Development
Open-source 3D game engine integrated with Blender
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Stencyl the free Starter tier can publish to the web only; Armory3D compiled binaries are sold to fund the project while the source code itself is free to build from scratch
- They diverge on capability: Stencyl covers Visual block programming, Armory3D covers Blender integration.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Stencyl and Armory3D actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (free), free tier (Yes), 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 Stencyl
- Visual block programming
- Drag-and-drop interface
- Physics engine
- Sprite animation
- Sound and music
- Tilemap editor
- Actor system
- Haxe support
Only in Armory3D
- Blender integration
- 3D graphics rendering
- Physics engine (Bullet)
- Audio system
- Haxe scripting
- Particle effects
- Skeletal animation
- Material system
Both cover
- Local deployment
- Mobile deployment
- Web deployment
- Windows support
- Macos support
- Linux 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 Armory3D
- Publishing the same project to web, desktop and mobilenot Armory3D
Armory3D
- 3D game developmentnot Stencyl
- Blender-based gamesnot Stencyl
- Web gamesnot 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
Armory3D
- Compiled binaries are sold to fund the project while the source code itself is free to build from scratch
Pricing, plan by plan
Stencyl
Free- FreeFree
- Full editor access
- Desktop export
- Mobile export
Armory3D
Free- FreeFree
- Full engine
- Blender integration
- 3D graphics
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 Armory3D if
- You need blender integration.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Html5, Android.
- You also want 3d graphics rendering.
Questions people ask
- Is Stencyl or Armory3D better?
- Neither clearly leads. Stencyl starts at Free and Armory3D at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Stencyl or Armory3D?
- Stencyl starts at Free and Armory3D at Free.
- Does Stencyl or Armory3D run on more platforms?
- Stencyl runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Flash. Armory3D runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Html5, Android.
- 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 Armory3D is typically brought in for.
- What can Stencyl do that Armory3D cannot?
- Stencyl covers Visual block programming, Drag-and-drop interface, Physics engine, Sprite animation. Armory3D covers Blender integration, 3D graphics rendering, Physics engine (Bullet), Audio system. Both handle Local deployment, Mobile deployment, Web deployment, Windows support.