Software · head to head
Stride vs GameMaker Studio 2
GameMaker Studio 2
Software
The fastest way to create games. For everyone.
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Stride free and open source under MIT license, editor and runtime fully open source with no commercial tier; 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: Stride covers 3D graphics rendering, GameMaker Studio 2 covers Drag-and-drop interface.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Stride and GameMaker Studio 2 actually diverge.
| Attribute | Stride | GameMaker Studio 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | free | freemium |
| Platforms | Windows, Linux, Playstation, Xbox | Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, Switch |
| Founded | 2015 | 1999 |
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 Stride
- 3D graphics rendering
- Physics engine (Bullet)
- Audio system
- Scene editor
- Material system
- Lighting and shadows
- Skeletal animation
- C# scripting
Only in GameMaker Studio 2
- Drag-and-drop interface
- GML programming language
- Sprite editor
- Animation frames
- Sound editor
- Room editor
- Physics system
- GitHub
Both cover
- Particle effects
- Local deployment
- Console deployment
- Windows support
- Linux support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Stride
- 3D game developmentnot GameMaker Studio 2
- Console gamesnot GameMaker Studio 2
- Desktop gamesnot GameMaker Studio 2
GameMaker Studio 2
- Building 2D games for desktop, web and mobilenot Stride
- Indie game development with a drag and drop and GML scripting workflownot Stride
- Publishing to consoles under an Enterprise subscriptionnot Stride
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Stride
- Free and open source under MIT license, editor and runtime fully open source with no commercial tier
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
Stride
Free- FreeFree
- Full engine
- C# scripting
- 3D graphics
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 Stride if
- You need 3d graphics rendering.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Linux, Playstation, Xbox.
- You also want physics engine (bullet).
Choose GameMaker Studio 2 if
- You need drag-and-drop interface.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, Switch.
- You also want gml programming language.
Questions people ask
- Is Stride or GameMaker Studio 2 better?
- Neither clearly leads. Stride 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, Stride or GameMaker Studio 2?
- Stride starts at Free and GameMaker Studio 2 at Free.
- Does Stride or GameMaker Studio 2 run on more platforms?
- Stride runs on Windows, Linux, Playstation, Xbox. GameMaker Studio 2 runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, Switch.
- Can I use Stride for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Stride best used for?
- Stride is most often used for 3d game development, console games, desktop games. Of those, 3d game development and console games are not what GameMaker Studio 2 is typically brought in for.
- What can Stride do that GameMaker Studio 2 cannot?
- Stride covers 3D graphics rendering, Physics engine (Bullet), Audio system, Scene editor. GameMaker Studio 2 covers Drag-and-drop interface, GML programming language, Sprite editor, Animation frames. Both handle Particle effects, Local deployment, Console deployment, Windows support.