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Head-to-head · Metaverse Software

The Sandbox Game Maker vs Second Life

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score The Sandbox Game Maker #3 in Metaverse Software 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit The Sandbox
Second Life #4 in Metaverse Software 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Second Life

The Sandbox Game Maker leads on 0 checks, Second Life on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreThe Sandbox Game Maker · 8.4/10
  • Free planboth

The Sandbox Game Maker scores higher on our rubric for metaverse software: 8.4 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #4.

The Sandbox Game Maker is the better fit for creators making interactive metaverse game experiences. Second Life is the better fit for established user-built worlds and virtual economies.

  • The Sandbox Game Maker fits best

    Creators making interactive metaverse game experiences

  • Second Life fits best

    Established user-built worlds and virtual economies

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Side by side

Feature The Sandbox Game Maker 8.4/10 Visit ↗ Second Life 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.4 7.9
Ranking #3 in Metaverse Software #4 in Metaverse Software
Best for Creators making interactive metaverse game experiences Established user-built worlds and virtual economies
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free plan —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Windows, macOS Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Support Tickets, Community, Docs Live chat, Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features The Sandbox Game Maker 0/3 · Second Life 0/3
VR access Not checked yet Not checked yet
Custom branding Not checked yet Not checked yet
Usage analytics Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
World creation Not checked yet Built-in
Participants per world Not checked yet Not checked yet
Access modes Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Drag-and-drop building, templates, and visual scripting with Game Rules
  • Quests, interactive object behaviors, and multiplayer support
  • Test, share in the Gallery, and publish to The Sandbox
  • Build 3D objects and spaces with in-world tools, then script interactive behavior.
  • Explore user-created places, communities and avatar-based social spaces.
  • Buy and sell virtual goods, and buy or rent land to customize.
Cons
  • Publishing an experience to The Sandbox map requires LAND
  • Desktop deployment is limited to Windows and macOS
  • Documented workflows offer no code integration
  • Paid memberships are billed yearly in full at the displayed monthly equivalents.
  • Mobile app is in beta.
  • The product is not open source.
Our verdict

The Sandbox Game Maker is a free desktop creation tool for making interactive games and other experiences in The Sandbox. It is aimed at solo creators and small teams working on personal, educational, or commercial projects, including…

Read the review →

Founded in 1999, Second Life is an online 3D virtual world where residents use avatars to explore places, meet people and join communities. Its audience includes people who want to create as well as visit: in-world tools support building…

Read the review →
  1. The Sandbox Game MakerMetaverse Software 8.4Free plan
  2. Second LifeMetaverse Software 7.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • The Sandbox Game Maker — where it wins

    • Drag-and-drop building, templates, and visual scripting with Game Rules
    • Quests, interactive object behaviors, and multiplayer support
    • Test, share in the Gallery, and publish to The Sandbox

    Where it doesn't

    • Publishing an experience to The Sandbox map requires LAND
    • Desktop deployment is limited to Windows and macOS
    • Documented workflows offer no code integration

  • Second Life — where it wins

    • Build 3D objects and spaces with in-world tools, then script interactive behavior.
    • Explore user-created places, communities and avatar-based social spaces.
    • Buy and sell virtual goods, and buy or rent land to customize.

    Where it doesn't

    • Paid memberships are billed yearly in full at the displayed monthly equivalents.
    • Mobile app is in beta.
    • The product is not open source.

More comparisons

All metaverse software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update