# GameMaker review, pricing and alternatives

Source: https://listme.name/software/gamemaker
Website: https://gamemaker.io/

2D game engine with a free tier and paid tiers for commercial release

GameMaker is a 2D game engine and editor from Opera Norway AS, aimed at beginners and professional developers alike. It has a free tier that needs no credit card, and paid tiers add commercial release and console platforms.

GameMaker is an engine for 2D games, with tutorials and a showcase for new developers as well as working studios. The editor is available for Windows and macOS, and the Enterprise tier exports one code base to any supported platform.

The free tier is completely free and needs no credit card. It includes free tutorials and asset bundles, and games can be uploaded to GX.games. Commercial release requires the paid Professional tier, which the site describes as the tier for releasing games commercially. Enterprise adds major console platforms, and the vendor also offers education licenses. The vendor positions GameMaker around 2D games.

- Free plan, paid upgrades | Windows, macOS
- Price: Free tier to make games; paid Professional for commercial release, Enterprise for consoles
- Checked: 2026-10-10

## Strengths

- Free tier with no credit card needed
- Tutorials and asset bundles for beginners
- Single code base export on the Enterprise tier

## Limits

- Commercial release needs a paid tier
- Editor runs on Windows and macOS only

## Rankings

- #5 of 12 in [best Game engines](https://listme.name/best/game-engines), score 88.0: Free tier with tutorials and asset bundles, and a clear path for 2D beginners. Commercial release needs the paid Professional tier, and the editor runs only on Windows and macOS.

## Alternatives

- [Godot Engine](https://listme.name/software/godot), score 94.0
- [Unity](https://listme.name/software/unity), score 92.5
- [Unreal Engine](https://listme.name/software/unreal-engine), score 91.5
- [Defold](https://listme.name/software/defold), score 89.5
- [Cocos Creator](https://listme.name/software/cocos-creator), score 86.5
- [Bevy](https://listme.name/software/bevy), score 85.5
- [MonoGame](https://listme.name/software/monogame), score 84.5
- [O3DE](https://listme.name/software/o3de), score 81.5