GameMaker vs Defold

GameMaker9.0Visit DDefold—Visit

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

D Defold #5 in Game Engine Software —/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Defold

• GameMaker fits best

  2D creators needing broad publishing

• Defold fits best

  Free developers targeting many platforms

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Side by side

Feature	GameMaker 9.0/10 Visit ↗	DDefold —/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.0	—
Ranking	#3 in Game Engine Software	#5 in Game Engine Software
Best for	2D creators needing broad publishing	Free developers targeting many platforms
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	Not published	Not published
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support	Community, Docs, Tickets	Email, Live chat, Community, Docs
Integrations	4 integrations	8 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features GameMaker 4/4 · Defold 3/4
Visual scripting	✓ (best)	Not published
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, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, HTML5, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch
Scripting languages	GML Code, GML Visual	Lua, Teal, C, C++, C#, Objective-C, Java, 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 engine with desktop, mobile, web, and console deployment Integrated editors, debugger, profiler, hot reload, and live updates Lua scripting with networking and native extension support
Cons	Commercial publishing requires separate licensing Some export targets require separate licensing Its focus is 2D rather than a general-purpose engine	No visual scripting support Console deployment requires approval from the platform holder Multiplayer features rely on the Photon Fusion extension
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 →	Defold is a free, source-available game engine for indie developers, students, and studios creating 2D and lightweight 3D games. Its workflow combines an editor, runtime, Lua-based game-logic scripting, build pipeline, and deployment… 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

• Defold — where it wins

  • Free engine with desktop, mobile, web, and console deployment
  • Integrated editors, debugger, profiler, hot reload, and live updates
  • Lua scripting with networking and native extension support

  Where it doesn't

  • No visual scripting support
  • Console deployment requires approval from the platform holder
  • Multiplayer features rely on the Photon Fusion extension

• 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 →
• DDefold—/10 · Free plan

  A free Lua-focused engine with broad deployment, networking, and built-in development tools.

  Visit DefoldFull verdict →