How Does GDevelop Compare to Other Game Engines?
Today, we'll see how GDevelop compares to other popular game engines, such as Unity, GameMaker and Roblox.
When setting out to make a game, there are many options for game engines (the apps with which you make games) out there. GDevelop is one of them: it is free, open-source, and easy to use. However, with so many engines to choose from, it can be difficult to figure out which one is best for you. This article will shed some light on the pros and cons of each, and help you decide which engine is best for you.
You can say that GDevelop is the Bubble.io for game development: an accessible, affordable no-code development tool that scales with your needs. Bubble.io serves that role for app development, and GDevelop serves the role for creating games.
GDevelop Vs. Unity
Unity is one of the most well-known game engines in the industry, and for good reason. It’s a professional tool that has been tested again and again in commercial games. There is good documentation and plenty of assets.
However, some might find the interface intimidating. GDevelop’s Event system is a simple and intuitive way of creating games, which can be more approachable than programming with code.
GDevelop's event system.
GDevelop also includes an Asset Store full of great sprites, tiles, and more things you can include in your projects to help you make the game you want faster and easier. GDevelop opens up in around 10 seconds, even with modest hardware. Exporting a game can take as little as 30 seconds! Fast iteration is at the core of GDevelop.
Unity Runtime Fee Pricing.
For more information on how GDevelop compares to Unity, please read our full article, which includes, publishing options, the difference between writing code and making a game with a no-code tool like GDevelop, pricing details, and more.
GDevelop Vs. GameMaker Studio
GameMaker has long been touted as a good entry point for newcomers to game-making. Successful commercial releases have been made using GameMaker, some of which have even been published to consoles.
GameMaker's visual scripting tool.
But GameMaker uses a proprietary language called GML, which one cannot use for other applications. GDevelop, on the other hand, runs on JavaScript, the programming language that runs the modern web. You can even include JavaScript code in your GDevelop project, further extending its functionality. Furthermore, by learning JavaScript, you are learning a language you can then potentially use to build websites, mobile apps, and more.
As previously mentioned, GDevelop also has a built-in asset store full of free sprites and tiles you can use on your projects, even commercial ones. It also includes software to make your own sprites and sound effects.
GDevelop's Asset Store.
GDevelop allows you to build a game from start to finish without writing a single line of code, something that is sometimes hard to achieve with GameMaker. Learn more about how GDevelop compares with GameMaker Studio in our dedicated article.
GDevelop Vs. Scratch
Scratch is a popular game engine created by MIT. It relies on logic blocks in order to create the game logic. It's widely used by schools to teach young children the basic principles of game development.
The Scratch interface.
However, Scratch has its limitations. It doesn't scale well to bigger games, it lacks social gaming features, it cannot export to many platforms, and so on. GDevelop is still easy to use, but it allows you to create commercially-ready games, export those games to Android, iOS, Linux, Mac and Windows, it has a built-in asset store, and more. If you'd like to go in-depth comparing GDevelop and Scratch, you can read our dedicated article.
GDevelop Vs. Stencyl
Stencyl is a competent game engine, with the same logic blocks approach as Scratch, but with more capabilities. It can export to more platforms, and make more complicated games. However, in order to access those advance features, you need to pay for a premium account.
Stencyl Pricing.
GDevelop has those capabilities, too, but you can access them even with a free account. However, a GDevelop premium account gives you access to more cloud features, such as project clould storage, cross-device sync, access to the iOS and Android apps to develop games on the go, and more. For more information about GDevelop Vs. Stencyl, read our dedicated article.
GDevelop Vs. Roblox
Roblox has been an absolute revolution in content creation. It has allowed people from all walks of life to create interactive experiences with ease. However, those experiences are confined to Roblox itself: you cannot export your game outside of Roblox, and there are limitations to the types of assets you can use.
The Roblox sign-up interface.
GDevelop, on the other hand, has a plethora of publishing options, including packages for Android, Linux, Windows PC, and Mac. You can monetize your games if you so choose, and GDevelop has built-in tools to help you achieve that, including AdMob support and an experimental in-app purchases extension.
You can import a variety of assets, including sprites, music, and sound effects to tailor your game and make it exactly the way you want it to be. To find out more about the differences between GDevelop and Roblox, please visit our full comparison article.
Which Engine is Best for You?
The only way to know for sure is to try them all and see for yourself. But if you want to make a game without writing any code, while also having access to a wide library of assets and many export options, be sure to give GDevelop a shot.
We will keep adding more comparisons between GDevelop and other game-making apps. If you have a comparison you would like to see, reach out to us on Twitter or join our Discord to suggest a new comparative article.