Software · head to head
Stencyl vs FMOD
The short version
- They diverge on capability: Stencyl covers Visual block programming, FMOD covers FMOD Studio.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Stencyl and FMOD actually diverge.
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
- Physics engine
- Sprite animation
- Sound and music
- Tilemap editor
- Actor system
- Haxe support
Only in FMOD
- FMOD Studio
- Real-time mixing
- Adaptive music
- 3D audio
- Occlusion
- DSP effects
- Live update
- Profiling tools
Both cover
- Local 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 FMOD
- Publishing the same project to web, desktop and mobilenot FMOD
FMOD
- Game audionot Stencyl
- Adaptive musicnot Stencyl
- Sound effectsnot Stencyl
- VR audionot 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
FMOD
Nothing recorded yet. See the FMOD review.
Pricing, plan by plan
Stencyl
Free- FreeFree
- Full editor access
- Desktop export
- Mobile export
FMOD
Free- IndieFree
- Full feature set
- Up to $200K budget
- All platforms
- Commercial$6000/project
- Full feature set
- Unlimited budget
- Priority 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.
Choose FMOD if
- You need fmod studio.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Consoles.
- You also want real-time mixing.
Questions people ask
- Is Stencyl or FMOD better?
- Neither clearly leads. Stencyl starts at Free and FMOD at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Stencyl or FMOD?
- Stencyl starts at Free and FMOD at Free.
- Does Stencyl or FMOD run on more platforms?
- Stencyl runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Flash. FMOD runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Consoles.
- 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 FMOD is typically brought in for.
- What can Stencyl do that FMOD cannot?
- Stencyl covers Visual block programming, Drag-and-drop interface, Physics engine, Sprite animation. FMOD covers FMOD Studio, Real-time mixing, Adaptive music, 3D audio. Both handle Local deployment, Windows support, Macos support, Linux support.