Stencyl vs Dreams

Stencyl8.4Visit Dreams7.9Visit

Higher score Stencyl #6 in Game Visual Scripting Software 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 2 features Visit Stencyl

vs

Dreams #7 in Game Visual Scripting Software 7.9/10 Paid ✓ 1 of 2 features Visit Dreams

• Stencyl fits best

  Block-programming creators targeting many platforms

• Dreams fits best

  PlayStation-based collaborative 3D creation

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Side by side

Feature	Stencyl 8.4/10 Visit ↗	Dreams 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.4	7.9
Ranking	#6 in Game Visual Scripting Software	#7 in Game Visual Scripting Software
Best for	Block-programming creators targeting many platforms	PlayStation-based collaborative 3D creation
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Paid
Starting price	—	$19.99 one-time
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	—
Support	Live chat, Community, Docs	Tickets, Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features Stencyl 0/2 · Dreams 1/2
2D game support	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
3D game support	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Specs
Export targets	Not checked yet	none
Code integration	Not checked yet	None
Collaboration features	Not checked yet	Team
Runtime licensing	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Block-based behaviors make visual game programming accessible Publishes to HTML5, mobile, Windows, macOS and Linux Haxe support enables custom blocks, classes and extensions	Combines game, environment, animation, music, logic, and sculpture tools Supports collaboration, remixing, and public, playable, or private releases Includes DreamShaping tutorials, DreamSurfing, and PlayStation VR support
Cons	Online multiplayer is not supported out of the box Console deployment is not documented Starter displays Stencyl branding before the game	Creations cannot be exported from Dreams No code integration or export targets Live-service support and new feature development have ended
Our verdict	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 →	Dreams is a PlayStation game and creation environment from Media Molecule for building interactive experiences without conventional code integration. Its scope extends beyond game logic into environments, characters, animation, music,… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• 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

• Dreams — where it wins

  • Combines game, environment, animation, music, logic, and sculpture tools
  • Supports collaboration, remixing, and public, playable, or private releases
  • Includes DreamShaping tutorials, DreamSurfing, and PlayStation VR support

  Where it doesn't

  • Creations cannot be exported from Dreams
  • No code integration or export targets
  • Live-service support and new feature development have ended

• Stencyl8.4/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit StencylFull verdict →
• Dreams7.9/10 · Paid

  A broad PlayStation creation environment, but not a general-purpose exportable scripting tool.

  Visit DreamsFull verdict →