Free game makers and their real limits

Most game makers say free. The catch is somewhere else: credits that run out, a license that changes when you sell, or fees when you ship. Here is what free means for each popular tool, and where Roam fits.

What free means, tool by tool

Godot. Free and open source under the MIT license, with no royalties. Exports to iOS and Android. Easiest on a computer, and it takes real learning time.
Unity. Has a free Personal plan with eligibility rules. Exports to iOS and Android. Scripting is mostly C#, and the editor needs a computer.
GameMaker. Free for non-commercial use. Selling your game needs a one-time $99.99 commercial license.
Scratch. Free, from the MIT Media Lab, made for ages 8 to 16. Runs on the web or as a desktop app. Projects are shared on the Scratch site.
GDevelop. Free and open source, with phone apps. The AI helper gets limited free credits each month.
Roblox Build. A tab inside the Roblox mobile app. The base version is free, in an alpha open in only a few countries.
Roam. The app is free. iPhone only. Games live in Roam, solo or with friends.

The cost nobody lists: publishing

Making a game can cost nothing. Putting it in a store does not. Apple's Developer Program costs $99 a year, and a Google Play developer account has a one-time $25 fee. Then there is review, store art and updates.

In Roam you skip that whole step. Your game goes into Roam, where you and your friends play it.

Pick by what you want to keep free

Your time. Roam. A sentence in, a game out, edits by asking.
Your future sales. Godot. No license fees, ever.
Your kid's first project. Scratch. Free, safe and built for learning.
Your phone-only setup. Roam or GDevelop. Neither needs a computer.

Make a free game on iPhone with Roam

The Roam app is free. Describe a game and play it, no store account, no engine.

Try: "cozy fishing pier at dawn, catch the rare golden carp, my friends run the bait shop"

Create it with Roam See Roam

Questions people ask

What is the best free game maker?

Godot if you want a full engine at zero cost. Scratch for kids. Roam on iPhone if you want a playable game from a sentence.

Is GameMaker free?

Free for non-commercial use. To sell a game you need the $99.99 one-time commercial license.

Can I make a game for free on my phone?

Yes. GDevelop is free on iOS and Android phones. Roam is a free iPhone app.

Keep exploring

More on Roam: All Roam games Games to play, by kind