GameMaker vs CRYENGINE

GameMaker9.0Visit CRYENGINE8.8Visit

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

CRYENGINE #6 in Game Engine Software 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit CRYENGINE

• GameMaker fits best

  2D creators needing broad publishing

• CRYENGINE fits best

  Desktop and console-focused 3D teams

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Side by side

Feature	GameMaker 9.0/10 Visit ↗	CRYENGINE 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.0	8.8
Ranking	#3 in Game Engine Software	#6 in Game Engine Software
Best for	2D creators needing broad publishing	Desktop and console-focused 3D teams
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	Not published	Not published
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Self-hosted, Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android
Support	Community, Docs, Tickets	Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features GameMaker 4/4 · CRYENGINE 4/4
Visual scripting	✓	✓
Multiplayer tools	✓	✓
Mobile export	✓	✓
Console export	✓	✓
Specs
Source code model	Source_available	Source_available
Target platforms	GX.games, Windows, macOS, Ubuntu, HTML5, Android, iOS, tvOS, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch	Windows, Linux, macOS, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS, Web, VR
Scripting languages	GML Code, GML Visual	C++, Lua, Schematyc visual scripting
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	Sandbox editor combines rendering, physics, AI, audio, and networking tools Supports C++ and C# alongside Flowgraph visual scripting Includes console and VR deployment targets with multiplayer functionality
Cons	Commercial publishing requires separate licensing Some export targets require separate licensing Its focus is 2D rather than a general-purpose engine	Free commercial use applies a 5% royalty after the royalty-free threshold Enterprise pricing is custom rather than published as a standard plan Verified platform coverage centers on Windows and Linux
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 →	CRYENGINE is a real-time game engine for developers and studios creating interactive entertainment experiences. Its Sandbox editor brings together content authoring, physically based rendering, real-time global illumination, physics,… 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

• CRYENGINE — where it wins

  • Sandbox editor combines rendering, physics, AI, audio, and networking tools
  • Supports C++ and C# alongside Flowgraph visual scripting
  • Includes console and VR deployment targets with multiplayer functionality

  Where it doesn't

  • Free commercial use applies a 5% royalty after the royalty-free threshold
  • Enterprise pricing is custom rather than published as a standard plan
  • Verified platform coverage centers on Windows and Linux

• 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 →
• CRYENGINE8.8/10 · Free plan

  A capable 3D engine for teams targeting desktop, console, and VR projects.

  Visit CRYENGINEFull verdict →