Stencyl is game creation software for building mobile, web, and desktop games with visual logic or custom code. Its drag-and-drop designer uses snapping blocks and includes hundreds of ready-to-use options. Creators can make and share blocks, import libraries, extend the engine with code, and write Haxe classes that work with block-based Behaviors. The Scene Designer has tools for selection, zooming, grid-snapping, and flood fill; the Actor Editor adjusts appearance, behaviors, and physical properties. Stencyl targets iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Linux, and HTML5. The free Starter edition can publish HTML5 games and test games on paid target platforms, but cannot publish to desktop, iOS, or Android and displays Stencyl branding. Indie costs 99.00 USD per year and publishes to web and desktop without watermarks. Studio costs 199.00 USD per year and adds iOS and Android publishing, ads, leaderboards, in-app purchases, and third-party plugins. Publishing iOS games to the App Store requires an active Apple developer license and a Mac. Stencyl says it collects no royalties on games.
Who it is for
Stencyl suits creators who want to build games using visual blocks, with options to add Haxe code and libraries. The Starter edition is for publishing HTML5 games or testing on paid targets; desktop and mobile publishing require a paid plan.
What is good
- Visual designer includes hundreds of ready-to-use blocks.
- Users can extend block behaviors with Haxe code.
- Targets HTML5, desktop, and mobile platforms.
- Company says it collects no royalties on games.
What to know first
- Starter cannot publish desktop, iOS, or Android games.
- Starter games display Stencyl branding.
- iOS App Store publishing requires a Mac and active Apple developer license.
- Subscriptions include no support contract.
Verdict
Stencyl offers a visual game-building workflow with code extensions and publishing options that vary by plan. Check the Starter publishing limits and the separate Mac and Apple developer license requirement for App Store releases.
Stencyl plans and pricing
All plansCompared on game engine software
- Free plan
- Yes
- Visual scripting
- Yes
- Multiplayer tools
- No
