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Stencyl vs GameMaker Studio 2

Stencyl logo

Stencyl

Software

Create games with visual programming

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
GameMaker Studio 2 logo

GameMaker Studio 2

Software

The fastest way to create games. For everyone.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Stencyl the free Starter tier can publish to the web only; GameMaker Studio 2 the free tier is a non-commercial licence; selling a game requires the Professional licence at $99.99
  • They diverge on capability: Stencyl covers Visual block programming, GameMaker Studio 2 covers GML programming language.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Stencyl and GameMaker Studio 2 actually diverge.

Attributes where Stencyl and GameMaker Studio 2 differ
AttributeStencylGameMaker Studio 2
Pricing modelfreefreemium
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, FlashWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, Switch
Founded20111999

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

Only in GameMaker Studio 2

  • GML programming language
  • Sprite editor
  • Animation frames
  • Sound editor
  • Room editor
  • Particle effects
  • Physics system
  • Aseprite

Both cover

  • Drag-and-drop interface
  • GitHub
  • Visual Studio Code
  • Local deployment
  • Mobile deployment
  • Windows support
  • Macos support
  • Linux support
  • Ios 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 GameMaker Studio 2
  • Publishing the same project to web, desktop and mobilenot GameMaker Studio 2

GameMaker Studio 2

  • Building 2D games for desktop, web and mobilenot Stencyl
  • Indie game development with a drag and drop and GML scripting workflownot Stencyl
  • Publishing to consoles under an Enterprise subscriptionnot 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

GameMaker Studio 2

  • The free tier is a non-commercial licence; selling a game requires the Professional licence at $99.99
  • Console exports are available only on the Enterprise subscription, which is billed at $79.49 per month
  • Source code access is limited to the Enterprise tier
  • Older Creator and Indie subscriptions are no longer renewed when the licence expires
  • Owners of a permanent GameMaker Studio 2 licence get no discount toward current licences

Pricing, plan by plan

Stencyl

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

GameMaker Studio 2

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Desktop game creation
    • Community support
    • Standard export options
  • Pro$99/year
    • All Free features
    • Advanced export modules
    • Mobile platforms

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 physics engine.
Stencyl review

Choose GameMaker Studio 2 if

  • You need gml programming language.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, Switch.
  • You also want sprite editor.
GameMaker Studio 2 review

Questions people ask

Is Stencyl or GameMaker Studio 2 better?
Neither clearly leads. Stencyl starts at Free and GameMaker Studio 2 at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Stencyl or GameMaker Studio 2?
Stencyl starts at Free and GameMaker Studio 2 at Free.
Does Stencyl or GameMaker Studio 2 run on more platforms?
Stencyl runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Flash. GameMaker Studio 2 runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, Switch.
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 GameMaker Studio 2 is typically brought in for.
What can Stencyl do that GameMaker Studio 2 cannot?
Stencyl covers Visual block programming, Physics engine, Sprite animation, Sound and music. GameMaker Studio 2 covers GML programming language, Sprite editor, Animation frames, Sound editor. Both handle Drag-and-drop interface, GitHub, Visual Studio Code, Local deployment.
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