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Free RPG Maker alternatives

Top Game Engines like RPG Maker

The most popular alternative to RPG Maker is GameMaker, which has a free version. Other great alternatives to RPG Maker are GDevelop, Construct 3, Godot Engine, and Unity.

Most alternatives to RPG Maker are in the Game Engines category, compared here by price, platform and features.

RPG Maker alternatives
AllFreeOpen source
6 apps

All RPG Maker alternatives

  1. GameMaker

    GameMaker is a 2D game engine owned by Opera, used by indie developers and beginners to create platformers, RPGs and arcade games. Logic can be written in GML Code or built with GML Visual, a drag-and-drop system, and projects export to desktop, mobile, web and consoles. It is free for non-commercial use, with paid licenses for commercial releases and console export.

    7 GameMaker alternatives

    Pros

    • Beginner-friendly, with GML Visual drag-and-drop alongside GML Code
    • Mature, focused toolset for 2D platformers, RPGs and arcade games
    • Exports to desktop, mobile, web and consoles

    Cons

    • Commercial releases and console export require paid licenses
    • Not suited to 3D projects
    • GML is specific to the engine, so skills transfer less easily elsewhere
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    Game Engines
    Platforms
    WindowsMac
    Features
    2D gamesConsole exportTemplatesVisual scripting
    Visit websiteMore about GameMaker

  2. GDevelop

    27.4Kstars

    GDevelop is a free, open source game engine that lets creators build 2D and 3D games with an event-based visual logic system instead of code. It runs in the browser or as a desktop app, includes templates, an asset store and ready-made behaviors for platformers, physics and pathfinding, and exports to web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS. Optional subscriptions add cloud builds and other services.

    7 GDevelop alternatives

    Pros

    • Free and open source, usable in the browser or as a desktop app
    • Event-based logic and ready-made behaviors avoid writing code
    • Exports to web, desktop, Android and iOS

    Cons

    • 3D support is newer and less mature than its 2D tools
    • Cloud builds and some services require a subscription
    • Complex games can outgrow the event system
    Cost / License
    FreemiumOpen source
    Categories
    Game Engines
    Platforms
    WebWindowsMacLinux
    Features
    2D games3D gamesTemplatesVisual scripting
    Visit websiteMore about GDevelop

  3. Construct 3

    Construct 3 is a 2D game engine from Scirra that runs in the web browser and uses event sheets, a visual logic system, so games can be built without traditional programming, with optional JavaScript for advanced users. Games export to HTML5 and to desktop and mobile apps. It is used in schools and by hobbyists and indie developers, with a limited free edition and paid subscriptions for the full feature set.

    7 Construct 3 alternatives

    Pros

    • Runs in the browser, so there is nothing to install
    • Event sheets let beginners build games without writing code
    • Exports to HTML5, desktop and mobile from one project

    Cons

    • Built for 2D games, with minimal 3D capabilities
    • Free edition is limited and the full version is subscription-only
    • Large projects can become hard to organize with event sheets
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    Game Engines
    Platforms
    Web
    Features
    2D gamesTemplatesVisual scripting
    Visit websiteMore about Construct 3

  4. Godot Engine

    118.3Kstars

    Godot is a free, open source game engine released under the MIT license, with no royalties or fees. It provides dedicated 2D and 3D renderers, a scene and node system, its own Python-like GDScript language plus C# support, and a lightweight editor for Windows, macOS and Linux. Games export to desktop, mobile and the web, while console ports go through third-party partners. It is backed by the Godot Foundation.

    7 Godot Engine alternatives

    Pros

    • MIT licensed, with no royalties, fees or revenue thresholds
    • Lightweight editor with a dedicated 2D renderer, not 3D in disguise
    • Easy-to-learn GDScript, C# support and a clean scene and node system

    Cons

    • Console ports have to go through third-party partners
    • Asset store and third-party ecosystem are smaller than Unity’s
    • High-end 3D rendering still trails Unreal and Unity
    Cost / License
    FreeOpen source
    Categories
    Game Engines
    Platforms
    WindowsMacLinux
    Features
    2D games3D gamesPlugins & extensions
    Visit websiteMore about Godot Engine

  5. Unity

    Unity is a game engine and editor used to build 2D, 3D, mobile, console, VR and AR games and interactive applications, scripted in C# or with its built-in visual scripting. It exports to a wide range of platforms, from phones and PCs to consoles and headsets, and the Asset Store offers ready-made tools, models and templates. A free Personal plan exists, with paid Pro and Enterprise tiers above a revenue threshold.

    8 Unity alternatives

    Pros

    • Exports to almost every platform, from phones to consoles and headsets
    • Huge Asset Store, extensive documentation and a large community
    • C# scripting plus visual scripting, for both 2D and 3D

    Cons

    • Past licensing changes have shaken trust among developers
    • Editor can feel heavy and slow on large projects
    • Paid tiers become mandatory above a revenue threshold
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    Game Engines
    Platforms
    WindowsMacLinux
    Features
    2D games3D gamesConsole exportPlugins & extensionsVisual scripting
    Visit websiteMore about Unity

  6. Defold

    6.4Kstars

    Defold is a free game engine first released by King and now maintained by the independent Defold Foundation. It is known for small build sizes and fast iteration, uses Lua for scripting and exports to Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android and HTML5, with console support available to approved developers. Its source code is public on GitHub under the Defold License, a permissive license with some restrictions.

    7 Defold alternatives

    Pros

    • Free to use with no royalties, backed by an independent foundation
    • Small build sizes and fast iteration, ideal for mobile and web games
    • Lightweight Lua scripting and broad export targets including HTML5

    Cons

    • Smaller community and fewer tutorials than Unity or Godot
    • 3D tooling is basic, as the engine shines mostly in 2D
    • No visual scripting, so coding in Lua is required
    Cost / License
    FreeSource available
    Categories
    Game Engines
    Platforms
    WindowsMacLinux
    Features
    2D games3D gamesConsole exportPlugins & extensions
    Visit websiteMore about Defold

RPG Maker vs its alternatives at a glance

Pricing, platforms and the key features of RPG Maker, compared with its most popular alternatives.

RPG Maker vs its alternatives at a glance
AppPricingPlatforms2D gamesPlugins & extensionsTemplatesVisual scripting
RPG MakerFree trialWindows, Mac
GameMakerFreemiumWindows, Mac
GDevelopFreemiumOpen sourceWeb, Windows, Mac, Linux
Construct 3FreemiumWeb
Godot EngineFreeOpen sourceWindows, Mac, Linux
UnityFreemiumWindows, Mac, Linux

RPG Maker alternatives: frequently asked questions

What is the best alternative to RPG Maker?

The most popular alternative to RPG Maker is GameMaker: 2D game engine with a beginner-friendly editor and its own scripting language. Other great alternatives are GDevelop, Construct 3, Godot Engine, and Unity.

Is there a free alternative to RPG Maker?

Yes, 6 alternatives are free or have a free plan, including GameMaker, GDevelop, Construct 3, and Godot Engine.

Is there an open source alternative to RPG Maker?

Yes, 2 open source alternatives are listed, including GDevelop and Godot Engine.

Is RPG Maker free?

RPG Maker is a paid app that offers a free trial.

Compare RPG Maker with its alternatives

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