Softwr

Software · head to head

Stencyl vs Cocos2d-x

Stencyl logo

Stencyl

Software

Create games with visual programming

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Cocos2d-x logo

Cocos2d-x

Software

Open-source, lightweight 2D game engine

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Stencyl the free Starter tier can publish to the web only; Cocos2d-x cocos2d-x is MIT licensed with no commercial tier, and the vendor's own site directs users toward its newer engine, Cocos Creator, as the actively developed product, leaving Cocos2d-x without a first-party paid support or upgrade path.
  • They diverge on capability: Stencyl covers Visual block programming, Cocos2d-x covers 2D rendering.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Stencyl and Cocos2d-x actually diverge.

Attributes where Stencyl and Cocos2d-x differ
AttributeStencylCocos2d-x
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, FlashWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android
Founded20112010

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
  • Physics engine
  • Sprite animation
  • Sound and music
  • Tilemap editor
  • Actor system
  • Haxe support

Only in Cocos2d-x

  • 2D rendering
  • Physics engine (Chipmunk)
  • Particle effects
  • Animation system
  • Audio engine
  • Touch input handling
  • Tilemap support
  • Sprite batching

Both cover

  • GitHub
  • 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 Cocos2d-x
  • Publishing the same project to web, desktop and mobilenot Cocos2d-x

Cocos2d-x

  • Mobile game developmentnot Stencyl
  • 2D gamesnot Stencyl
  • Lightweight gamesnot Stencyl
  • Cross-platform 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

Cocos2d-x

  • Cocos2d-x is MIT licensed with no commercial tier, and the vendor's own site directs users toward its newer engine, Cocos Creator, as the actively developed product, leaving Cocos2d-x without a first-party paid support or upgrade path.

Pricing, plan by plan

Stencyl

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full editor access
    • Desktop export
    • Mobile export

Cocos2d-x

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full engine source
    • MIT License
    • Community support

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.
Stencyl review

Choose Cocos2d-x if

  • You need 2d rendering.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android.
  • You also want physics engine (chipmunk).
Cocos2d-x review

Questions people ask

Is Stencyl or Cocos2d-x better?
Neither clearly leads. Stencyl starts at Free and Cocos2d-x at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Stencyl or Cocos2d-x?
Stencyl starts at Free and Cocos2d-x at Free.
Does Stencyl or Cocos2d-x run on more platforms?
Stencyl runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Flash. Cocos2d-x runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, 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 Cocos2d-x is typically brought in for.
What can Stencyl do that Cocos2d-x cannot?
Stencyl covers Visual block programming, Drag-and-drop interface, Physics engine, Sprite animation. Cocos2d-x covers 2D rendering, Physics engine (Chipmunk), Particle effects, Animation system. Both handle GitHub, Local deployment, Mobile deployment, Windows support.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Stencyl

More on Cocos2d-x

Keep looking

Other head to heads