Sprite Fusion

Sprite Fusion is a tilemap editor for 2D games and virtual tabletop maps, with a browser edition and a separate desktop app. It suits creators building tile-based levels who want engine-ready exports without moving collision data by hand. Its free web plan covers smaller maps; the desktop purchase is the better fit when export size or offline use matters.

Overview

Bring in a tileset by dragging it onto the editor, loading an image, or pasting one from the clipboard, then draw with pencil, fill, selection, and attributes tools. That focused workflow is well suited to assembling tile-based maps, but it is not a general-purpose level editor.

Autotile layers choose tiles according to neighboring cells, with variants, weights, and reusable rule presets. Those controls can cut down repetitive placement while allowing variation in how transitions resolve. Collision layers can be included in supported engine exports; for virtual tabletop use, UVTT output turns collider layers into wall boundaries, including for software such as Foundry VTT.

Key features

• Tilemap drawing: Image-based tileset imports and core drawing and selection tools provide a direct route from tileset to map.
• Autotiling: Neighbor-based rules, variants, weights, and reusable presets help with terrain transitions that would otherwise require more manual placement.
• Collision layers: Mark layers for collision export to Unity, Godot 4, Defold, and Bevy, reducing the need to recreate that data separately.
• Export choices: Game engine targets include Unity, Godot 3 and 4, Defold, Bevy, Love2D, GDevelop, Phaser, Cocos, and GB Studio. Other formats include TMX, Sprite Fusion JSON, PNG, and UVTT.

Pricing

Web Edition — free. The web plan allows unlimited projects, personal and commercial use, and requires no login. Its map export limit is 4.5MB on the homepage, while the browser version is also described as having a 5MB export size limit. Either way, the cap makes the free plan a sensible starting point for smaller maps, but a constraint for larger exports.

Desktop Edition — $14.99, paid once. This one-time purchase includes an offline app, faster map exports, maps of any size, Mac and Windows builds, and free lifetime updates. Choose it when working offline or exporting larger maps justifies paying; the props generator is available on the web only. An experimental 64-bit Linux build is also available, but the paid plan specifies Mac and Windows.

There is no free trial. The web plan is the no-cost option; the desktop plan trades that export cap for offline use and maps of any size.

Platforms

Sprite Fusion runs in a browser and has desktop builds for Windows and macOS, plus an experimental 64-bit Linux build. The browser edition avoids installing an app, while desktop is the choice for offline work.

Who it's for

The editor fits 2D game makers, including retro developers working on projects such as Game Boy games, as well as virtual tabletop map creators and educational app developers. It is especially useful when a project benefits from autotiling, collision layers, or exports to one of its supported engines. Those seeking a broader level-design workflow should compare other editors.

Pros and cons

• Pro: A wide range of engine targets and standard map formats gives tilemap creators several routes into their projects.
• Pro: Autotile rules and collision-aware UVTT export address terrain transitions and tabletop walls within the map workflow.
• Pro: The free web edition permits commercial use and unlimited projects without requiring login.
• Con: The free export cap—described as 4.5MB on the homepage and 5MB for the browser version—can rule out larger maps.
• Con: Desktop is limited to Mac and Windows in the plan, with Linux only offered as an experimental build.

Alternatives

For a wider selection of level editors, browse Game Level Editors.

• GridCraft is another freemium option with a web editor and free access to all 19 tools and every export format.
• DarkRadiant is a free, open-source level editor for users who can supply the required game resources themselves.
• LDtk is a free, open-source alternative for creators who prefer a desktop editor.
• Mega Man Maker is a free fan-made, non-profit game for creating and sharing levels and playing user-created ones.
• Tiled is a free map editor with a voluntary, name-your-own-price payment model.
• 2D Tiler is a free web alternative with no recurring subscriptions or arbitrary limits.
• Hammer++ is a free Windows modification of Valve’s Hammer editor for the Source engine.
• YATME is a free, MIT-licensed option that can be self-hosted with Docker or run locally, and requires Tibia 15.00+ client assets.

Verdict

Sprite Fusion is a strong fit for 2D game and tabletop creators who want tile-based drawing, autotiling, collision-aware exports, and a free way to start. Choose the desktop edition if offline work or large maps are essential; look elsewhere if you need a broader level editor or a free workflow without an export-size cap.