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Head-to-head · Game Level Editors

GridCraft vs LDtk

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score GridCraft #1 in Game Level Editors 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 5 features Visit GridCraft
LDtk #3 in Game Level Editors 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 5 features Visit LDtk

GridCraft leads on 0 checks, LDtk on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreGridCraft · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresGridCraft · 3 of 5

GridCraft scores higher on our rubric for game level editors: 9.4 against 9.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #3.

GridCraft is the better fit for collaborative teams editing 2D maps. LDtk is the better fit for structured 2D projects with broad engine support.

  • GridCraft fits best

    Collaborative teams editing 2D maps

  • LDtk fits best

    Structured 2D projects with broad engine support

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Side by side

Feature GridCraft 9.4/10 Visit ↗ LDtk 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 9.0
Ranking #1 in Game Level Editors #3 in Game Level Editors
Best for Collaborative teams editing 2D maps Structured 2D projects with broad engine support
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price — Free
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop Desktop
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Email, Community, Docs Email, Community, Docs
Integrations 5 integrations 17 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features GridCraft 3/5 · LDtk 2/5
Tilemap tools ✓ ✓
Terrain tools ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Entity placement ✓ ✓
Prefab or template tools Not checked yet Not checked yet
Visual scripting Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Level dimensions 2d 2d
Our review
Pros
  • Real-time collaboration for shared map editing
  • Exports to Godot, GameMaker, Defold, LDtk, and more
  • GitHub, GitLab, and MCP support in the desktop app
  • Free for commercial use with no hidden fee
  • Tile, entity, auto-layer, and world-layout tools in one editor
  • Documented JSON export with integrations across engines and languages
Cons
  • Paid access starts at 19.99
  • Offline work and local file access require the desktop app
  • Studio collaboration is reserved for the Team plan
  • Focused on 2D level creation rather than 3D production
  • Desktop application for Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Engine workflows may require importers, APIs, or format integration
Our verdict

GridCraft is a 2D tile-map editor for game developers who need to create, organize, and share maps across browser and desktop workflows. It supports tile layers, stacked layers, terrain brushes using Wang sets, object layers, custom…

Read the review →

LDtk is a free, open-source desktop level editor for developers building 2D games. Its feature set covers tile-based painting, integer grid data, configurable entities with custom fields, automatic tile rendering, and world organization.…

Read the review →
  1. GridCraftGame Level Editors 9.4Free plan
  2. LDtkGame Level Editors 9.0Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • GridCraft — where it wins

    • Real-time collaboration for shared map editing
    • Exports to Godot, GameMaker, Defold, LDtk, and more
    • GitHub, GitLab, and MCP support in the desktop app

    Where it doesn't

    • Paid access starts at 19.99
    • Offline work and local file access require the desktop app
    • Studio collaboration is reserved for the Team plan
  • LDtk — where it wins

    • Free for commercial use with no hidden fee
    • Tile, entity, auto-layer, and world-layout tools in one editor
    • Documented JSON export with integrations across engines and languages

    Where it doesn't

    • Focused on 2D level creation rather than 3D production
    • Desktop application for Windows, macOS, and Linux
    • Engine workflows may require importers, APIs, or format integration
  • GridCraft9.4/10 · Free plan

    A capable collaborative map editor with broad exports, but paid plans start at 19.99.

    Visit GridCraftFull verdict →
  • LDtk9.0/10 · Free plan

    A capable free editor for structured 2D levels across major engines and desktop platforms.

    Visit LDtkFull verdict →

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update