
Stencyl
Claim this toolCreate cross-platform games for mobile, web, and desktop without writing any code.
Visit WebsiteThe Bottom Line
Entry price
Free plan available, paid tiers above
Biggest pro
Enables game creation without programming knowledge
Biggest con
Requires a Mac for testing and publishing to iOS devices
TL;DR - Stencyl
- Develop cross-platform games without coding using a drag-and-drop interface.
- Publish games to iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Linux, and HTML5.
- Monetize games through sales, ads, in-app purchases, and sponsorships.
What is Stencyl?
Available on: Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Enables game creation without programming knowledge
- Supports a wide range of target platforms for broad reach
- Offers flexible monetization strategies for developers
- Provides advanced coding options for experienced users
- Intuitive visual tools for world and character design
Cons
- Requires a Mac for testing and publishing to iOS devices
- Free plan includes Stencyl branding and limits publishing options
- No formal support contract included with subscriptions
Ratings Across the Web
Stencyl holds an aggregate rating of 4.5 out of 5 from 12 reviews across Capterra, last checked March 19, 2026.
Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more
Key Features
Pricing Plans
Free TrialPricing checked Aug 24, 2026
Starter
FREE
- Publish to Web
- Individual, personal use
- Stencyl branding displayed pre-game as a splash screen
- Test on paid target platforms (desktop, iOS, Android)
Indie
$99 / YR
- Publish to Web & Desktop
- Early Access to the Latest Releases
- Publishing to Web, Windows, Mac & Linux
- Reach larger audiences via publishers like Steam
- No watermarks or forced-Stencyl branding
- Access to our Customer-Only Forums
Studio
$199 / YR
- Publish to iOS, Android, Web & Desktop
- Early Access to the Latest Releases
- Publishing to Web, Windows, Mac & Linux
- Reach larger audiences via publishers like Steam
- No watermarks or forced-Stencyl branding
- Access to our Customer-Only Forums
- Publishing to iOS & Android
- Ad Support: iAd, AdMob, and more
Is Stencyl worth the price?
Stencyl's pricing is quite fair, offering a generous free tier for personal use.
The jump to the Indie tier at $99/year is reasonable for desktop publishing, and the Studio tier at $199/year provides excellent value for mobile game development. This pricing structure is best for individual game developers and small studios looking for an accessible entry into game creation.
Hidden Costs & Gotchas
Annual commitment required for paid tiers
No monthly payment option available
Potential costs for third-party plugins
Requires yearly renewal for continued access
How Stencyl Compares to Competitors
Compared to GameMaker Studio 2, which has a Creator tier starting at $39/year for desktop and a Mobile tier at $99/year, Stencyl's Indie tier at $99/year for desktop is competitive. However, Stencyl's Studio tier at $199/year for mobile and desktop is more affordable than GameMaker's equivalent tiers combined, offering good value for cross-platform development.
How Stencyl's pricing compares
At $8.25/mo, Stencyl is the most affordable of its 2 direct competitors.
Entry paid plan, monthly. Pricing checked Aug 24, 2026.
Reviews

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Across 12 verified user reviews on Capterra
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Stencyl FAQ
How does Stencyl enable game creation without coding?
Which platforms can games created with Stencyl be published to?
What kind of user is Stencyl best suited for?
How does Stencyl compare to Phaser for game development?
Does Stencyl include options for monetizing games?
What are the limitations when developing for iOS with Stencyl?
How is Stencyl priced?
Source: stencyl.com