StarCraft II Editor vs Arma 3 Tools

StarCraft II Editor9.4Visit Arma 3 Tools8.4Visit

Higher score StarCraft II Editor #1 in Game Modding Tools 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit StarCraft II

vs

Arma 3 Tools #6 in Game Modding Tools 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit Arma 3 Tools

• StarCraft II Editor fits best

  Comprehensive StarCraft II map and mod creation

• Arma 3 Tools fits best

  Arma 3 terrain and addon production

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Side by side

Feature	StarCraft II Editor 9.4/10 Visit ↗	Arma 3 Tools 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	8.4
Ranking	#1 in Game Modding Tools	#6 in Game Modding Tools
Best for	Comprehensive StarCraft II map and mod creation	Arma 3 terrain and addon production
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS	Windows
Support	Community	Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business
Features StarCraft II Editor 2/4 · Arma 3 Tools 2/4
Archive extraction	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Mod packaging	✓	✓
Plugin editing	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Script editing	✓	✓
Specs
Supported formats	.SC2Map, .SC2Layout, Galaxy script, XML data	PBO, FSM
Supported platforms	Windows, macOS	Windows
Our review
Pros	Covers terrain, data, scripting, UI, AI, and cutscene creation Supports Galaxy scripting, debugging, functions, and script testing Publishes eligible custom maps and mods through Arcade and Battle.net	Covers terrain, models, FSM files, conversion, and addon packaging Supports digital signing and PBO packaging for completed addons Publishes complete mods to Steam Workshop and switches Steam branches
Cons	Full game ownership is required for map testing and Battle.net publishing Free Starter Edition access provides only many, not all, editor functions Focused on StarCraft II content rather than general-purpose game modding	Available only on Windows Focused on Arma 3 and its Real Virtuality engine Distributed through Steam rather than as a standalone vendor download
Our verdict	StarCraft II Editor is Blizzard Entertainment’s integrated creation environment for custom StarCraft II maps, mods, and Arcade content. It suits creators who want control across gameplay systems, world design, interface, artificial… Read the review →	Arma 3 Tools is a free Windows desktop suite for Arma 3 modders and content creators. Its scope covers custom terrain, 3D models, addons, FSM files, game branches, and Steam Workshop publishing. The toolkit is aimed at people producing… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• StarCraft II Editor — where it wins

  • Covers terrain, data, scripting, UI, AI, and cutscene creation
  • Supports Galaxy scripting, debugging, functions, and script testing
  • Publishes eligible custom maps and mods through Arcade and Battle.net

  Where it doesn't

  • Full game ownership is required for map testing and Battle.net publishing
  • Free Starter Edition access provides only many, not all, editor functions
  • Focused on StarCraft II content rather than general-purpose game modding

• Arma 3 Tools — where it wins

  • Covers terrain, models, FSM files, conversion, and addon packaging
  • Supports digital signing and PBO packaging for completed addons
  • Publishes complete mods to Steam Workshop and switches Steam branches

  Where it doesn't

  • Available only on Windows
  • Focused on Arma 3 and its Real Virtuality engine
  • Distributed through Steam rather than as a standalone vendor download

• StarCraft II Editor9.4/10 · Free plan

  A broad free toolkit for building, scripting, testing, and publishing StarCraft II content.

  Visit StarCraft IIFull verdict →
• Arma 3 Tools8.4/10 · Free plan

  A free, focused suite for building, editing, signing, and publishing Arma 3 mods.

  Visit Arma 3 ToolsFull verdict →