Side by side
GridCraft vs Hammer++
Both stand on game level editors. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan APILinuxMac+2
GridCraft combines flexible tile editing, Tiled compatibility, multiple export targets, and live collaboration. Check the free account limits and MCP constraint against your workflow before choosing a plan.
Visit GridCraft Free plan LinuxWindows
Hammer++ adds lighting and visual previews, mapping tools, and crash recovery to a free Windows editor for Source maps. Be aware of its keybind and compatibility limits, and that antivirus software may flag its downloads.
Visit Hammer++The facts
| GridCraft | Hammer++ | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | No |
| Runs on | API, Linux, Mac, Web, Windows | Linux, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Cloud: $3.99 a month | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 4 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | gridcraft.dev | ficool2.github.io |
| On game level editors | #6 of 28 | #10 of 28 |
GridCraft: what it does well
- Paint differently sized tiles from one atlas.
- Opens and saves Tiled .tmx and .tmj maps.
- Exports to Godot 4, GameMaker, Defold, and more.
- Free web editor includes all 19 tools and exports.
- Live collaboration shows cursors, selections, and edits.
What to know first
- Free accounts are limited to 3 cloud maps.
- Free storage is limited to 25 MB.
- MCP support does not yet edit infinite chunked maps.
- Desktop app costs $19.99, paid once.
Hammer++: what it does well
- Simulates Source lighting with configurable quality and speed
- Previews particles, fog, skyboxes, and other effects
- Autosaves open VMF files after a crash
- Includes mapping tools such as brush merging
- HLMV++ is bundled and optionally installable
What to know first
- Keybind editor cannot assign mouse bindings
- Modifier keys may not work for every binding
- Old Source 2013 Multiplayer version is unsupported
- CS:GO support is frozen on build 8864
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