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Stencyl vs Construct 3

Stencyl logo

Stencyl

Software

Create games with visual programming

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Construct 3 logo

Construct 3

Software

Create games without coding. Powered by the Scirra 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; Construct 3 the free version caps projects at 50 events, or 25 when used without an account
  • They diverge on capability: Stencyl covers Visual block programming, Construct 3 covers Visual event system.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Stencyl and Construct 3 actually diverge.

Attributes where Stencyl and Construct 3 differ
AttributeStencylConstruct 3
Pricing modelfreefreemium
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, FlashWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web
Founded20112007

Identical on both: starting price (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
  • Sound and music
  • Tilemap editor
  • Actor system
  • Haxe support
  • Visual Studio Code

Only in Construct 3

  • Visual event system
  • Drag-and-drop editor
  • Sprite editor
  • Particle effects
  • Sound effects
  • Web-based
  • HTML5 support
  • Google Play

Both cover

  • Physics engine
  • GitHub
  • Dropbox
  • Local deployment
  • Mobile deployment
  • Web deployment
  • Windows support
  • Macos support
  • Linux 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 Construct 3
  • Publishing the same project to web, desktop and mobilenot Construct 3

Construct 3

  • Building 2D browser games without writing codenot Stencyl
  • Publishing HTML5 games to the web, desktop and mobile stores from one projectnot 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

Construct 3

  • The free version caps projects at 50 events, or 25 when used without an account
  • Free projects are limited to 2 layers, 2 special effects, 1 timeline animation of up to 5 seconds and 1 web font
  • The free version can only publish to HTML5 and the Construct Arcade, so desktop, Android, iOS and Facebook Instant Games all need a paid plan
  • Licences are per seat and annual, at $129.99 for Personal, $168.99 for Startup Business and $468.99 for Business

Pricing, plan by plan

Stencyl

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

Construct 3

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Web-based editor
    • HTML5 export
    • Asset library
  • Personal$99/year
    • All Free features
    • Offline editor
    • Advanced export

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 Construct 3 if

  • You need visual event system.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want drag-and-drop editor.
Construct 3 review

Questions people ask

Is Stencyl or Construct 3 better?
Neither clearly leads. Stencyl starts at Free and Construct 3 at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Stencyl or Construct 3?
Stencyl starts at Free and Construct 3 at Free.
Does Stencyl or Construct 3 run on more platforms?
Stencyl runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Flash. Construct 3 runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
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 Construct 3 is typically brought in for.
What can Stencyl do that Construct 3 cannot?
Stencyl covers Visual block programming, Drag-and-drop interface, Sprite animation, Sound and music. Construct 3 covers Visual event system, Drag-and-drop editor, Sprite editor, Particle effects. Both handle Physics engine, GitHub, Dropbox, Local deployment.
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