Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

ClickTeam Fusion VS GameMaker Studio

Compare ClickTeam Fusion VS GameMaker Studio and see what are their differences

ClickTeam Fusion logo ClickTeam Fusion

[Multimedia Fusion 2 has been replaced by Clickteam Fusion 2.5.]

GameMaker Studio logo GameMaker Studio

Making top 2D games with the GameMaker: Studio game engine is easy. No code or programming required
  • ClickTeam Fusion Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-13
  • GameMaker Studio Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-01-21

ClickTeam Fusion features and specs

  • Visual Scripting
    ClickTeam Fusion 2.5 allows game development without the need for traditional programming through its event editor which uses visual scripting.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The software is designed with a user-friendly interface, making it accessible even to beginners with little to no experience in game development.
  • Powerful and Flexible
    Despite being easy to use, ClickTeam Fusion 2.5 offers powerful tools and flexibility for more advanced users to create complex and intricate games.
  • Cross-Platform Export
    The platform supports exporting games to multiple platforms, including Windows, iOS, Android, and HTML5, which allows developers to reach a wider audience.
  • Active Community and Support
    ClickTeam Fusion has an active community and good support from the ClickTeam team, including forums, tutorials, and example projects.

Possible disadvantages of ClickTeam Fusion

  • Price
    While there is a free version, the full version and additional exporters can become costly, which might not be suitable for everyone.
  • Limited 3D Support
    ClickTeam Fusion 2.5 is mainly focused on 2D game development and offers limited support for 3D game development, which can be a drawback for those looking to develop 3D games.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While basic tools are accessible, mastering more advanced features and optimizing games for performance can have a steep learning curve.
  • Resource Demands
    Games created with ClickTeam Fusion can sometimes be resource-demanding compared to those made with other engines, potentially affecting performance.
  • Less Industry Recognition
    Compared to other game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine, ClickTeam Fusion 2.5 has less industry recognition, which might not appeal to some developers.

GameMaker Studio features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    GameMaker Studio provides an intuitive drag-and-drop interface alongside its scripting language, GML, making it accessible for beginners and efficient for experienced developers.
  • Cross-Platform Export
    It supports exporting to multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and more, which simplifies the process of reaching broader audiences.
  • Robust Documentation and Community
    GameMaker Studio offers extensive documentation and has a large community, which is helpful for troubleshooting, learning, and accessing a wide array of tutorials and resources.
  • Powerful Built-In Features
    The engine has a range of built-in features like physics and pathfinding, which can help speed up game development.
  • Active Development and Updates
    GameMaker Studio is actively maintained with regular updates, ensuring compatibility with the latest platforms and adding new features.

Possible disadvantages of GameMaker Studio

  • Performance Limitations
    While suitable for 2D games, GameMaker Studio may struggle with performance and optimization for more complex or demanding projects.
  • Pricing Model
    It has a tiered pricing model, which might be costly for some developers who need to access all export options or advanced features.
  • 2D Focus
    The engine is primarily designed for 2D games, which might not be ideal for developers looking to create 3D games.
  • Limited Third-Party Integrations
    Compared to some other game engines, GameMaker Studio may have fewer integrations with third-party tools and services.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While beginner-friendly, utilizing more advanced functionalities can require a deeper understanding of GML and the engine's complex systems.

Analysis of ClickTeam Fusion

Overall verdict

  • ClickTeam Fusion is a good tool for those who are looking to create 2D games and applications efficiently and without a steep learning curve. It is particularly beneficial for beginners and small indie developers who want to focus on game design rather than complex coding.

Why this product is good

  • ClickTeam Fusion is a popular game development tool known for its simplicity and ease of use, making it accessible to beginners and hobbyists. It offers a drag-and-drop interface and a rich set of features that allow users to create 2D games quickly without needing extensive programming knowledge. Additionally, it has a supportive community and extensive tutorials, resources, and active forums where users can share their experiences and get help.

Recommended for

  • Beginners in game development
  • Hobbyists
  • Indie game developers
  • Educators and students looking for an introductory platform

ClickTeam Fusion videos

Clickteam Fusion: A Closer Look At

More videos:

  • Review - Clickteam Fusion 2.5 Vs GDevelop 5 - (Game Engine REVIEW 2019 )
  • Review - Clickteam Fusion 2.5 Vs GDevelop 5 - (Game Engine REVIEW 2020 )

GameMaker Studio videos

A Closer Look At GameMaker Studio 2

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to ClickTeam Fusion and GameMaker Studio)
Game Development
39 39%
61% 61
Game Engine
39 39%
61% 61
3D Game Engine
36 36%
64% 64
Gaming
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare ClickTeam Fusion and GameMaker Studio

ClickTeam Fusion Reviews

The Best Gaming Engines You Should Consider for 2023
Clickteam Fusion 2.5 is 3D computer graphics software that can be used for creating visual effects, animations, and compositing. The platform is easy to use, with tutorials on how to create games in as little as five minutes.
20 Best Scratch Alternatives 2023
It may not feature as many learning courses as Scratch, but Clickteam Fusion covers all the programming basics you need to know. You can cover it all in a few hours and start creating.
The Top 10 Video Game Engines
Whether it’s Unity, Unreal, or Clickteam Fusion, there is truly an engine out there for every type of designer and creative type. Some are pricier than others, with some having proprietary licenses instead of being open source.

GameMaker Studio Reviews

Game Engines: A Comparative Analysis
GameMaker Studio, a versatile engine, has carved a niche for itself by specializing in 2D game development. Known for its user-friendly drag-and-drop interface, GameMaker Studio is favored by beginners and indie developers for its rapid prototyping capabilities and affordable pricing.
Source: medium.com
Best Game Engines for 2023 – Which Should You Use?
This popular video game engine created in 2017 is the newest version of GameMaker Studio, which has been around since 1999 through many iterations and names. GameMaker is widely supported across multiple platforms, even including the Nintendo Switch. It is also a very friendly choice for those who have no experience with coding, as it primarily uses a drag-and-drop visual...
Trending 10 BEST Video Game Design & Development Software 2021
Gamefroot is a great resource for making simple 2D games very quickly for free. GameMaker Studio has a very loyal fan base spanning two decades for several good reasons. You can expect awesome tools for 2D games and a responsive community to answer your issues.
Trending 7 Best Game Development Software 2021
The one frustration in GameMaker Studio 2 is, you cannot embed any videos within the games. If we leave this issue, then GameMaker Studio 2 is one of the most suitable game development software.
Source: vilesolid.com
The Top 10 Video Game Engines
GameMaker Studio 2 is an engine from Yoyo Games. It’s the second iteration of GameMaker Studio and comes with an import feature so your previous projects with the first one can be up and running in no time.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, GameMaker Studio seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 37 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

ClickTeam Fusion mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of ClickTeam Fusion yet. Tracking of ClickTeam Fusion recommendations started around Mar 2021.

GameMaker Studio mentions (37)

  • Ask HN: Platform for 11 year old to create video games?
    Game maker studio might fit the bill: https://gamemaker.io/en. - Source: Hacker News / 8 months ago
  • Ask HN: Yo wants to build a game, I'm lost. What can I do?
    I am no game developer but have over the past few years played around with GameMaker and their studio software[0]. I would imagine it to be one of the easiest ways to get started with making a 2D game. Then there is also the option of not jumping directly into the coding bit, and rather cultivate in your son the ability to do on paper designs first. This is a skill that would probably benefit him later in life as... - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Ask HN: Yo wants to build a game, I'm lost. What can I do?
    My introduction to programming was when I was 10 with GameMaker. I found that the same company has a product with the same name that seems to be the spiritual succesor of it[0]. I allowed me to start with very simple no-code and move on to incrementaly add codes nipets here and there. Eventually I went crazy and tried to make a game fully with code, avoiding all the tools the engine gave me, just as an experiment... - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • What programming language do the Battle Network games use?
    If you're looking for a tool that's fairly simple for a beginner, but has the flexibility to also offer more advanced features as you learns more, and has plenty of tutorials and learning resources available for a novice programmer starting out: it's worth noting that GameMaker has recently (i.e. 2 weeks ago) been made completely free for non-commercial users. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Having trouble logging in through GameMaker after the new update?
    Go to https://gamemaker.io/en, and accept the new TOS. You won't be able to log in through the software until you do. Source: over 1 year ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing ClickTeam Fusion and GameMaker Studio, you can also consider the following products

Godot Engine - Feature-packed 2D and 3D open source game engine.

Construct 2 - Scirra Construct is a 2D game development engine with a focus on building games visually.

Unity - The multiplatform game creation tools for everyone.

BYOND - BYOND is the premier community for making and playing online multiplayer games.

GDevelop - GDevelop is an open-source game making software designed to be used by everyone.

Unreal Engine - Unreal Engine 4 is a suite of integrated tools for game developers to design and build games, simulations, and visualizations.