GridCraft vs Hammer++

GridCraft is a tile map editor for game developers, available in a browser and as a desktop app. It lets users paint tiles of different sizes from one atlas onto a map. Editing tools include brush, terrain, flood fill, shape, selection, stamp and object tools. GridCraft opens and saves Tiled.tmx and.tmj maps, with export targets including Godot 4, GameMaker, Defold, LDtk, LOVE2D, Lua and CSV. Live collaboration displays teammates’ cursors, selections and edits, synchronized through CRDT. The desktop app supports GitHub and GitLab for map-file commits, pushes and pulls. It can expose an open map to MCP clients for AI-agent access, but the server is off by default, binds to the local machine and does not yet edit infinite chunked maps. The free web editor includes all 19 tools and export formats without an account. Free accounts include three cloud maps, 25 MB total storage, one bound desktop device and collaboration for up to three people per map. Paid options include Cloud at $3.99 a month, Team at $13.99 a month and the desktop app at $19.99, paid once.

Hammer++ is a free Windows modification of Valve’s Hammer editor for creating maps in the Source engine. It aims to improve stability and keep the editor current through fixes and changes. It can simulate Source lighting inside the editor, with adjustable quality and speed and dynamic updates, and preview particles, fog, skyboxes, rope physics, render effects, and material proxies. Mapping tools include a 3D gizmo, polygon and sprinkle tools, multiple cordons, brush merging, and object placement on floors or ceilings. If the editor crashes, it shows a detailed error message and autosaves open VMF files. Saved VMFs retain precise vertex data while also storing less precise data for compilers and compatibility with other Hammer versions. Downloads bundle HLMV++, which can be installed optionally. The download page lists build 8871, last updated April 14, 2026. The maker directs users to its official Discord for discussion and says the project is not affiliated with Valve. It also notes antivirus software sometimes flags downloads and advises allowing them or adding an exception. The old Source 2013 Multiplayer version is unsupported, and CS:GO support is frozen on build 8864.