Stencyl vs RPG Maker

Stencyl8.4Visit RPG Maker7.9Visit

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

vs

RPG Maker #8 in Game Visual Scripting Software 7.9/10 Paid ✓ 0 of 2 features Visit RPG Maker

• Stencyl fits best

  Block-programming creators targeting many platforms

• RPG Maker fits best

  RPG-focused creators needing event scripting

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Side by side

Feature	Stencyl 8.4/10 Visit ↗	RPG Maker 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.4	7.9
Ranking	#6 in Game Visual Scripting Software	#8 in Game Visual Scripting Software
Best for	Block-programming creators targeting many platforms	RPG-focused creators needing event scripting
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Paid
Starting price	—	$79.99 one-time
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Web, Windows, macOS
Support	Live chat, Community, Docs	Docs, Community
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features Stencyl 0/2 · RPG Maker 0/2
2D game support	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
3D game support	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Export targets	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Code integration	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Collaboration features	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
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	Menu-driven events support NPCs, puzzles, and game progression MZ includes maps, assets, battles, plugins, and commercial licensing MV supports Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and HTML5 export
Cons	Online multiplayer is not supported out of the box Console deployment is not documented Starter displays Stencyl branding before the game	The workflow is specialized around role-playing games MZ and MV each cost $79.99 one-time Advanced customization depends on JavaScript plugins and scripting
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 →	RPG Maker is a family of game engines for creating role-playing games through map editors, event-based logic, databases, battle systems, character tools, assets, and plugins. It is designed for beginners and experienced developers, with a… 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

• RPG Maker — where it wins

  • Menu-driven events support NPCs, puzzles, and game progression
  • MZ includes maps, assets, battles, plugins, and commercial licensing
  • MV supports Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and HTML5 export

  Where it doesn't

  • The workflow is specialized around role-playing games
  • MZ and MV each cost $79.99 one-time
  • Advanced customization depends on JavaScript plugins and scripting

• Stencyl8.4/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit StencylFull verdict →
• RPG Maker7.9/10 · Paid

  A focused RPG creation suite with accessible event scripting and broad export options.

  Visit RPG MakerFull verdict →