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Head-to-head · Game Engine Software

GameMaker vs Redot Engine

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score GameMaker #3 in Game Engine Software 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit GameMaker
Redot Engine #39 in Game Engine Software 5.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Redot Engine

GameMaker leads on 0 checks, Redot Engine on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreGameMaker · 8.9/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresGameMaker · 4 of 4

GameMaker scores higher on our rubric for game engine software: 8.9 against 5.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #39.

On source code model, GameMaker gives you Source_available where Redot Engine offers Open_source.

GameMaker is the better fit for 2D creators needing broad publishing. Redot Engine is the better fit for godot-compatible open-source experimentation.

  • GameMaker fits best

    2D creators needing broad publishing

  • Redot Engine fits best

    Godot-compatible open-source experimentation

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Side by side

Feature GameMaker 8.9/10 Visit ↗ Redot Engine 5.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 5.3
Ranking #3 in Game Engine Software #39 in Game Engine Software
Best for 2D creators needing broad publishing Godot-compatible open-source experimentation
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price $799.99/yr Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop, Self-hosted
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, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features GameMaker 4/4 · Redot Engine 3/4
Visual scripting ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Multiplayer tools ✓ ✓
Mobile export ✓ ✓
Console export ✓ ✓
Specs
Source code model Source_available Open_source
Target platforms GX.games, Windows, macOS, Ubuntu, HTML5, Android, iOS, tvOS, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch Windows, macOS, Linux/*BSD, Android, iOS, Web, consoles
Scripting languages GML Code, GML Visual GDScript, C#, C++
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
  • MIT license permits personal, commercial, modified, and redistributed use
  • Supports GDScript, C#, and C++ with 2D and 3D workflows
  • Exports to desktop, mobile, and web with multiplayer support
Cons
  • Commercial publishing requires separate licensing
  • Some export targets require separate licensing
  • Its focus is 2D rather than a general-purpose engine
  • Console export is constrained by console-manufacturer licensing terms
  • Community-driven development offers less established maturity and breadth
  • The broad feature set may require more evaluation for production adoption
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 →

Redot Engine is a free, open-source game engine for creating 2D and 3D games. Its node- and scene-based workflow supports GDScript, C#, and C++, while built-in rendering, physics, animation, audio, UI, asset import, editor plugins, and…

Read the review →
  1. GameMakerGame Engine Software 8.9Free plan
  2. Redot EngineGame Engine Software 5.3Free plan

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

  • Redot Engine — where it wins

    • MIT license permits personal, commercial, modified, and redistributed use
    • Supports GDScript, C#, and C++ with 2D and 3D workflows
    • Exports to desktop, mobile, and web with multiplayer support

    Where it doesn't

    • Console export is constrained by console-manufacturer licensing terms
    • Community-driven development offers less established maturity and breadth
    • The broad feature set may require more evaluation for production adoption

More comparisons

All game engine software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update