Buildbox vs GameSalad

Buildbox is a game engine intended for people with little or no coding experience. It has visual scripting and mobile export, and lists Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows among its platforms. Target platforms also include Steam and Apple TV. Buildbox 4 can create game environments from text descriptions; its AI editing and gesture tools can change games, and its AI can modify logic nodes or make custom nodes. Buildbox 4 downloads are offered for Windows and Mac. Buildbox 4 Pro lists Android and PC exports, while Buildbox Classic Pro lists iOS, Android, and PC exports. Buildbox Classic Beginner costs $29.98 a month, while Buildbox 4 Beginner costs $49.98 a month. Classic Pro costs $399.98 a year, and Buildbox 4 Pro costs $549.98 a year. Buildbox has no free plan. It offers tutorials, manuals, and personal email support.

GameSalad Creator is a visual programming tool for making mobile and web games. GameSalad describes its approach as no-code, and says creators and learners ages 12 and beyond can use it. Creator downloads are available for macOS and Windows; iOS and Android Viewer apps support native-device previews. Publishing depends on the plan: Basic subscribers can use Creator’s behaviors and functions, preview with Viewer, and publish to GameSalad Arcade. Pro subscribers get access to all publishing platforms, including iOS App Store, Android App Store and HTML5 publishing, as well as priority technical support. Plans include GameSalad Basic at $19 a month and GameSalad Pro at $29 a month. Education options include lesson plans, tutorials, classroom management and student progress views through a teacher dashboard. App store publishing requires separate store processes, credentials and fees, which are not included in the education license. GameSalad is based in Austin, Texas, and launched in 2010.