GameMaker vs GDevelop

GameMaker5.0Visit GDevelop3.8Visit

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

GDevelop #5 in Game Visual Scripting Software 3.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 2 features Visit GDevelop

• GameMaker fits best

  2D developers prioritizing maximum export reach

• GDevelop fits best

  Broad, low-cost 2D/3D game creation

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. It never changes our verdict. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature	GameMaker 5.0/10 Visit ↗	GDevelop 3.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	5.0	3.8
Ranking	#1 in Game Visual Scripting Software	#5 in Game Visual Scripting Software
Best for	2D developers prioritizing maximum export reach	Broad, low-cost 2D/3D game creation
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	$79.99/mo	Not published
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support	Community, Docs, Tickets	Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business
Features GameMaker 0/2 · GDevelop 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	No-code event logic with optional JavaScript extensibility 2D and 3D creation with multiplayer tools and live previews Exports to web, desktop, Android, and iOS
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	Free publishing to Android and desktop is limited to once per day Cloud projects and expanded publishing depend on paid tiers The broad feature set may be more than simple 2D projects need
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 →	GDevelop is an open-source game engine and editor for creating 2D and 3D games without code. Its event-based visual scripting system is aimed at hobbyists, educators, indie developers, studios, and organizations building interactive… 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

• GDevelop — where it wins

  • No-code event logic with optional JavaScript extensibility
  • 2D and 3D creation with multiplayer tools and live previews
  • Exports to web, desktop, Android, and iOS

  Where it doesn't

  • Free publishing to Android and desktop is limited to once per day
  • Cloud projects and expanded publishing depend on paid tiers
  • The broad feature set may be more than simple 2D projects need

• 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 →
• GDevelop3.8/10 · Free plan

  A broad game creation toolkit with visual logic, multiplayer, and cross-platform export.

  Visit GDevelopFull verdict →