GameMaker vs Cocos Creator

GameMaker9.0Visit Cocos Creator6.8Visit

Higher score GameMaker #3 in Game Engine Software 9.0/10 Free plan · paid from $79.99/mo Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit GameMaker

vs

Cocos Creator #7 in Game Engine Software 6.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit Cocos Creator

• GameMaker fits best

  2D creators needing broad publishing

• Cocos Creator fits best

  Open-source 2D/3D JavaScript teams

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Side by side

Feature	GameMaker 9.0/10 Visit ↗	Cocos Creator 6.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.0	6.8
Ranking	#3 in Game Engine Software	#7 in Game Engine Software
Best for	2D creators needing broad publishing	Open-source 2D/3D JavaScript teams
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	Not published	Not published
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Support	Community, Docs, Tickets	Docs, Community
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features GameMaker 4/4 · Cocos Creator 2/4
Visual scripting	✓	✓
Multiplayer tools	✓ (best)	Not published
Mobile export	✓	✓
Console export	✓ (best)	Not published
Specs
Source code model	Source_available	Source_available
Target platforms	GX.games, Windows, macOS, Ubuntu, HTML5, Android, iOS, tvOS, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch	web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Scripting languages	GML Code, GML Visual	TypeScript, JavaScript
Our review
Pros	Free access for non-commercial game development Exports to desktop, web, mobile, and GX.games Supports publishing for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Switch	Free, open-source editor for 2D and 3D game development Supports JavaScript and TypeScript scripting Publishes projects across web, desktop, and mobile
Cons	Commercial publishing requires separate licensing Some export targets require separate licensing Its focus is 2D rather than a general-purpose engine	Its scripting focus is limited to JavaScript and TypeScript The workflow may not suit teams seeking code-first development Publishing targets center on web, desktop, and mobile platforms
Our verdict	GameMaker is a cross-platform 2D game development environment for indie developers and commercial studios. It provides an integrated environment for creating projects and supports publishing across desktop, web, mobile, GX.games, and… Read the review →	Cocos Creator is a free, open-source 2D and 3D game engine with an editor-centered workflow for developers, artists, designers, and game planners. It combines scene composition, asset management, animation, physics, particles, and… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• GameMaker — where it wins

  • Free access for non-commercial game development
  • Exports to desktop, web, mobile, and GX.games
  • Supports publishing for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Switch

  Where it doesn't

  • Commercial publishing requires separate licensing
  • Some export targets require separate licensing
  • Its focus is 2D rather than a general-purpose engine

• Cocos Creator — where it wins

  • Free, open-source editor for 2D and 3D game development
  • Supports JavaScript and TypeScript scripting
  • Publishes projects across web, desktop, and mobile

  Where it doesn't

  • Its scripting focus is limited to JavaScript and TypeScript
  • The workflow may not suit teams seeking code-first development
  • Publishing targets center on web, desktop, and mobile platforms

• GameMaker9.0/10 · Free plan · paid from $79.99/mo

  A focused 2D engine with free non-commercial access and wide export coverage.

  Visit GameMakerFull verdict →
• Cocos Creator6.8/10 · Free plan

  A free, open-source engine for JavaScript and TypeScript game teams targeting web, desktop, and mobile.

  Visit Cocos CreatorFull verdict →