GridCraft

GridCraft is a 2D tile-map editor for game developers, with browser and desktop versions. It suits makers who need flexible tile sizes, shared editing and several export targets; its main trade-off is that cloud capacity and collaboration are tightly capped on the free account.

Overview

GridCraft lets you paint differently sized tiles from one atlas onto the same map, rather than restricting a map to uniform tile dimensions. It also opens and saves Tiled.tmx and.tmj files, so adopting it need not cut a map off from Tiled. Early access means the product is still evolving, with updates most weeks.

Key features

Map editing and export

The toolset covers brushes, terrain, flood fill, shapes, selection, stamps and objects. Terrain tools and entity placement extend it beyond basic tile painting, while exports to Godot 4, GameMaker, Defold, LDtk, LOVE2D, Lua and CSV offer several routes into a project. This breadth is useful when a team needs to move map data into different engines or formats; it does not, by itself, establish compatibility with every project workflow.

Collaboration and desktop workflows

Live collaboration shows teammates’ cursors, selections and edits, with CRDT synchronization. That makes shared map work a core capability, but the free account’s three-person-per-map ceiling may constrain larger groups. Desktop users can connect GitHub or GitLab to commit, push and pull map files, a practical fit for teams that already manage project changes through those services.

AI access and API

The desktop app can expose an open map to MCP clients, allowing an AI agent to read and edit it. The MCP server is off by default and binds to the local machine, which limits exposure beyond that machine; it does not yet support editing infinite chunked maps. The documented API uses JSON over HTTPS, and authenticated endpoints require JWT bearer tokens that expire after 24 hours.

Pricing

The free Web editor costs nothing, billed $0 forever. It includes all 19 tools and every export format, with no account needed. That is a strong way to try the editor or work without cloud storage, but free accounts are capped at three cloud maps, 25 MB total storage, one bound desktop device and three collaborators per map.

Cloud costs $3.99 a month, billed $3.99/month. It raises the allowance to 10 cloud maps, 1 GB storage, five people per map, synced devices and 50 MB per-file uploads. This is the practical step up for an individual or small collaboration that needs room to keep maps online.

Team costs $13.99 a month, billed $13.99/month. It includes 50 cloud maps, 5 GB storage, 10 people per map, synced devices and 100 MB per-file uploads. The higher tier is aimed at teams that would outgrow Cloud’s map, storage or seat limits; those quotas remain relevant even at this price.

The Desktop app costs $19.99, paid once, billed $19.99 once. It includes Mac, Windows and Linux support, offline use, local file access, Git, the MCP server and LAN hosting. Its one-time price makes it the fit for desktop-first users who need those capabilities, rather than a substitute for cloud plans’ stated storage and map allowances.

Platforms

GridCraft runs on the web and on Linux, macOS and Windows, with an API also available. The no-account Web editor lowers the barrier to entry; offline use, local file access, Git and MCP are associated with the paid desktop app.

Who it's for

GridCraft is best suited to game developers who want variable-size tiles, terrain and object editing, Tiled file compatibility, or exports across several engines and formats. It is a particularly good fit for small teams that can work within the collaboration limits of their chosen plan. It is less suited to larger groups expecting generous shared storage on a free account, or to MCP workflows that must edit infinite chunked maps.

Pros and cons

Pros: Different tile sizes from one atlas can share a map, giving developers more flexibility than a uniform tile layout.

Pros: Tiled.tmx and.tmj support, plus seven named export targets, gives projects multiple ways to preserve or move map data.

Pros: The free Web editor includes all 19 tools and exports without requiring an account.

Cons: Free cloud use is limited to 25 MB, three maps, one bound desktop device and three collaborators per map.

Cons: MCP access requires the desktop app, starts off disabled and cannot edit infinite chunked maps.

Cons: The product is in early access, so users should expect an actively changing editor rather than a finished, static release.

Alternatives

Game Level Editors is the broader category to browse if none of these options fits.

Choose Remere's Map Editor if a free editor for Linux, macOS or Windows and GPLv2 licensing are more important than GridCraft’s browser access and collaboration features. LDtk is another free, open-source option for desktop platforms. For a browser-oriented alternative, Sprite Fusion has a free Web Edition with unlimited projects and personal and commercial use.

SonLVL is another free desktop alternative. Tiled is worth considering if a free map editor with voluntary payment better suits your preference. Pick DarkRadiant if you want an open-source level editor and already have the required game resources. Mega Man Maker is a free fan-made option for creating, sharing and playing user-created levels. 2D Tiler is a free Web alternative that says it has no arbitrary limits.

Verdict

GridCraft is a strong choice for game developers who want a flexible tile editor with collaboration, Tiled compatibility and multiple export routes. The free editor is unusually complete for trying the core tools, but cloud users will need to assess the small free quotas and pay for more room. Look elsewhere if your team needs larger free collaboration capacity or your AI-agent workflow depends on infinite chunked maps.