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Game Development · head to head

Stencyl vs Flax Engine

Stencyl logo

Stencyl

Game Development

Create games with visual programming

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Flax Engine logo

Flax Engine

Game Development

Modern 3D game engine with visual editor

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Stencyl the free Starter tier can publish to the web only; Flax Engine flax charges a 4% royalty on game earnings above $250,000, assessed per calendar quarter
  • They diverge on capability: Stencyl covers Visual block programming, Flax Engine covers 3D graphics rendering.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Stencyl and Flax Engine actually diverge.

Attributes where Stencyl and Flax Engine differ
AttributeStencylFlax Engine
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, FlashWindows, Linux, Playstation, Xbox
Founded20112017

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

Only in Flax Engine

  • 3D graphics rendering
  • Visual editor
  • C# scripting
  • Audio system
  • Particle effects
  • Skeletal animation
  • Material system
  • Lighting system

Both cover

  • Physics engine
  • Local deployment
  • Windows 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 Flax Engine
  • Publishing the same project to web, desktop and mobilenot Flax Engine

Flax Engine

  • Building 3D games in C# and C++ with full engine source accessnot Stencyl
  • Multi-platform deployment from one editornot Stencyl
  • Prototyping with the bundled Flax Samples projectsnot 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

Flax Engine

  • Flax charges a 4% royalty on game earnings above $250,000, assessed per calendar quarter
  • Free use is granted for non-commercial or educational usage; commercial releases fall under the royalty
  • Users must accept the Flax Engine End-User License Agreement before using the engine or its tools, so it is not an OSI open source licence despite the source being on GitHub
  • Non-game uses such as in-house tools or SaaS products need a custom licence negotiated with the vendor, and no rate card is published for per-seat or flat-fee options

Pricing, plan by plan

Stencyl

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

Flax Engine

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full engine
    • Visual editor
    • C# scripting

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 Flax Engine if

  • You need 3d graphics rendering.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Linux, Playstation, Xbox.
  • You also want visual editor.
Flax Engine review

Questions people ask

Is Stencyl or Flax Engine better?
Neither clearly leads. Stencyl starts at Free and Flax Engine at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Stencyl or Flax Engine?
Stencyl starts at Free and Flax Engine at Free.
Does Stencyl or Flax Engine run on more platforms?
Stencyl runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Flash. Flax Engine runs on Windows, Linux, Playstation, Xbox.
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 Flax Engine is typically brought in for.
What can Stencyl do that Flax Engine cannot?
Stencyl covers Visual block programming, Drag-and-drop interface, Sprite animation, Sound and music. Flax Engine covers 3D graphics rendering, Visual editor, C# scripting, Audio system. Both handle Physics engine, Local deployment, Windows support, Linux support.
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