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Stencyl
What it is
Stencyl is game creation software for making mobile, web, and desktop games with visual logic or code. Its drag-and-drop designer uses snapping blocks, with hundreds of ready-to-use blocks; creators can also build and share blocks, import libraries, and write Haxe code and custom classes that work with block-based Behaviors. The Scene Designer provides selection, zooming, grid-snapping, and flood fill, while the Actor Editor adjusts appearance, behaviors, and physical properties. Target platforms include iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Linux, and HTML5. The free Starter edition publishes HTML5 games and lets users test games on paid target platforms, but cannot publish to desktop, iOS, or Android and displays Stencyl branding. Indie costs $99 a year and supports web and desktop publishing without watermarks. Studio costs $199 a 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.
For and against
For
- Visual designer includes hundreds of ready-to-use blocks
- Custom Haxe code and imported libraries are supported
- Targets iOS, Android, desktop, and HTML5
- Stencyl says it collects no royalties on games
Against
- 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
The verdict
Stencyl offers a visual starting point with code and library options for extending projects. Check the Starter publishing limits and the annual plan prices against the platforms you intend to target.
Who it suits
Stencyl suits creators who want to build games using visual blocks, with the option to add Haxe code and libraries. The free edition may suit those focused on HTML5 publishing or testing before choosing a paid plan.
Plans and prices
Indie
Publish to Web & Desktop · Windows, Mac & Linux · No watermarks · Customer-only forums
Read 3 Oct 2026 · stencyl.com
Studio
Publish to iOS, Android, Web & Desktop · Ads · Leaderboards · In-app purchases
Read 3 Oct 2026 · stencyl.com
Starter
Publish to Web/HTML5 · Stencyl branding splash screen · Individual personal use
Read 3 Oct 2026 · stencyl.com
On the record
- Company
- Stencyl's homepage identifies the maker as Stencyl, LLC; its LinkedIn company profile lists Cupertino as headquarters and 2008 as its founding year.linkedin.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Custom code
- Users can create and share blocks, extend the engine with code, import libraries, and write custom classes that work with block-based Behaviors.stencyl.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Extensions
- The extensions market lists integrations such as AdMob, Firebase, and Colyseus, and warns that listed extensions are not developed by Stencyl and are used at the user's risk.stencyl.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Free edition limits
- Starter can publish HTML5 games and test games on paid target platforms, but cannot publish to desktop, iOS, or Android and displays Stencyl branding before games.stencyl.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Mobile export
- Yesstencyl.com · read 24 Sep 2026
- Monetization
- Stencyl describes support for in-game purchases, mobile ads including iAds and AdMob, and Newgrounds ads for web games.stencyl.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Publishing requirement
- Publishing iOS games to the App Store requires an active Apple developer license and a Mac.stencyl.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Stencyl is game creation software for making mobile, web, and desktop games without code.stencyl.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Royalties
- Stencyl says it collects no royalties on games and claims no ownership over them, so developers keep their games' profits.stencyl.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Scripting languages
- Haxestencyl.com · read 24 Sep 2026
- Source code model
- open_sourcestencyl.com · read 24 Sep 2026
- Support
- Subscriptions include no support contract; the pricing FAQ describes informal support through a customer-only discussion board.stencyl.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Target platforms
- iOS,Android,Windows,Mac,Linux,HTML5stencyl.com · read 24 Sep 2026
- Trial
- The pricing FAQ describes the free edition as a way to test games on paid target platforms before purchase; it does not specify a trial period in days.stencyl.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Visual logic
- Its drag-and-drop designer extends Scratch-style block snapping with hundreds of ready-to-use blocks.stencyl.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Visual scripting
- Yesstencyl.com · read 24 Sep 2026
- World and actor editors
- The Scene Designer includes selection, zooming, grid-snapping, and flood fill, while the Actor Editor adjusts actors' appearance, behaviors, and physical properties.stencyl.com · read 3 Oct 2026
