GameMaker vs Stencyl

GameMaker5.0Visit Stencyl4.8Visit

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

Stencyl #6 in Game Visual Scripting Software 4.8/10 Free plan · paid from $99/yr Free plan✓ 0 of 2 features Visit Stencyl

• GameMaker fits best

  2D developers prioritizing maximum export reach

• Stencyl fits best

  Block-programming creators targeting many platforms

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 ↗	Stencyl 4.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	5.0	4.8
Ranking	#1 in Game Visual Scripting Software	#6 in Game Visual Scripting Software
Best for	2D developers prioritizing maximum export reach	Block-programming creators targeting many platforms
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	$79.99/mo	Not published
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Community, Docs, Tickets	Live chat, Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business
Features GameMaker 0/2 · Stencyl 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	Block-based behaviors make visual game programming accessible Publishes to HTML5, mobile, Windows, macOS and Linux Haxe support enables custom blocks, classes and extensions
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	Online multiplayer is not supported out of the box Console deployment is not documented Starter displays Stencyl branding before the game
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 →	Stencyl is a 2D game engine and development tool built around block-based visual programming. Its drag-and-drop behaviors, Scene Designer, Actor Editor and tools for tilesets and game behaviors suit creators who want to construct games… 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

• Stencyl — where it wins

  • Block-based behaviors make visual game programming accessible
  • Publishes to HTML5, mobile, Windows, macOS and Linux
  • Haxe support enables custom blocks, classes and extensions

  Where it doesn't

  • Online multiplayer is not supported out of the box
  • Console deployment is not documented
  • Starter displays Stencyl branding before the game

• 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 →
• Stencyl4.8/10 · Free plan · paid from $99/yr

  A block-based 2D game engine with broad publishing targets and Haxe extensibility.

  Visit StencylFull verdict →