GameMaker vs Construct 3
Verified Oct 2026
Both are commercial 2D game editors aimed at small teams. GameMaker scripts gameplay in GML code attached to object events; Construct 3 builds logic from visual event sheets in a browser-based editor.
GameMakerFreemium
Editor-led 2D game engineConstruct 3Freemium
Browser-based game editor with visual eventsWhat actually differs
GameMakerConstruct 3
LogicGameMaker: GML scripting inside object eventsConstruct 3: Visual event sheets, with optional JavaScript
Free tierGameMaker: Free for non-commercial use; a commercial license is $99.99, one-timeConstruct 3: Free edition is capped (for example 50 events and 2 layers); paid plans depend on the size of your business
Exports on the free tierGameMaker: Web, desktop, and mobile, but only for non-commercial projects; console exports need the Enterprise plan and platform approvalConstruct 3: Web (HTML5) only; desktop, Android, and iOS need a paid plan
Pick GameMaker when
- You want to write real code and expect to grow into larger 2D projects
- You want a one-time purchase for commercial releases
Pick Construct 3 when
- You or your designers prefer visual logic over scripting
- You want to prototype in a browser, with no install, and export to web first
What a dev would do
Pick by how you want to express logic: code (GameMaker) or events (Construct 3). Check the plan terms for your business size before you commit.