GameMaker vs GameSalad

GameMaker5.0Visit GGameSalad3.8Visit

Higher score GameMaker #1 in Game Visual Scripting Software 5.0/10 Free plan · paid from $79.99/mo Free plan✓ 0 of 2 features Visit GameMaker

vs

G GameSalad #4 in Game Visual Scripting Software 3.8/10 From $19/mo ✓ 0 of 2 features Visit GameSalad

• GameMaker fits best

  2D developers prioritizing maximum export reach

• GameSalad fits best

  No-code creators targeting web and mobile

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Side by side

Feature	GameMaker 5.0/10 Visit ↗	GGameSalad 3.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	5.0	3.8
Ranking	#1 in Game Visual Scripting Software	#4 in Game Visual Scripting Software
Best for	2D developers prioritizing maximum export reach	No-code creators targeting web and mobile
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Paid
Starting price	$79.99/mo	$19/mo (best)
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Support	Community, Docs, Tickets	Email, Phone, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features GameMaker 0/2 · GameSalad 0/2
2D game support	Not published	Not published
3D game support	Not published	Not published
Specs
Export targets	Not published	Not published
Code integration	Not published	Not published
Collaboration features	Not published	Not published
Runtime licensing	Not published	Not published
Our review
Pros	Exports to desktop, web, mobile, GX.games, and selected consoles Supports PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch publishing Free for non-commercial use with platform-specific SDK configuration	Browser-based and desktop visual creation tools Preview projects with GameSalad Viewer Pro supports iOS, Android, and HTML5 publishing
Cons	Commercial publishing and some export targets require separate licensing A 2D focus may not suit teams seeking broader game-development scope Not the clearest choice for a visual-scripting-first workflow	No free plan is available Advanced feature depth is narrower than higher-ranked tools Console export and multiplayer tools are not part of the listed feature set
Our verdict	GameMaker is a cross-platform 2D game development environment from YoYo Games Limited, designed for indie developers and commercial studios. It provides an integrated environment for building projects and supports compilation for Windows,… Read the review →	GameSalad is a no-code game development platform for indie creators, learners, educators, and classroom programs. Its visual programming tools support 2D game creation, with both browser-based and desktop Creator options. Projects can be… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• GameMaker — where it wins

  • Exports to desktop, web, mobile, GX.games, and selected consoles
  • Supports PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch publishing
  • Free for non-commercial use with platform-specific SDK configuration

  Where it doesn't

  • Commercial publishing and some export targets require separate licensing
  • A 2D focus may not suit teams seeking broader game-development scope
  • Not the clearest choice for a visual-scripting-first workflow

• GameSalad — where it wins

  • Browser-based and desktop visual creation tools
  • Preview projects with GameSalad Viewer
  • Pro supports iOS, Android, and HTML5 publishing

  Where it doesn't

  • No free plan is available
  • Advanced feature depth is narrower than higher-ranked tools
  • Console export and multiplayer tools are not part of the listed feature set

• GameMaker5.0/10 · Free plan · paid from $79.99/mo

  A strong 2D export platform, with licensing and visual-scripting fit to evaluate carefully.

  Visit GameMakerFull verdict →
• GGameSalad3.8/10 · From $19/mo

  A focused no-code tool for creating and publishing 2D games across web and mobile.

  Visit GameSaladFull verdict →