Garry's Mod vs Starbound
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Garry's Mod is a physics‑based sandbox built on Valve's Source engine, offering players the freedom to spawn NPCs, ragdolls, and props and manipulate them with a physics gun. There are no built‑in objectives, letting creativity drive the experience. The game features extensive Lua‑based modding, supporting community‑created modes like Trouble in Terrorist Town and Prop Hunt. Available on Linux, PC, and Mac, it supports both single‑player and multiplayer co‑operative play.
After a ship crash leaves you stranded in space, Starbound lets you beam down to countless procedurally‑generated planets to gather resources, repair your vessel, and uncover the mysteries of the galaxy. The game blends platforming, role‑playing, and survival mechanics, giving you the freedom to forge your own story—whether you become a hero saving the universe or a colonist building a new home. With single‑player, co‑op, and multiplayer modes, you can adventure alone or with friends, crafting gear, building bases, and battling alien creatures across diverse biomes. Its indie roots shine through a vibrant pixel art style and deep sandbox systems that encourage creativity and exploration.
- Huge modding community with endless content
- Intuitive physics and tool gun controls
- Unlimited creative possibilities
- Supports both solo and multiplayer experiences
- Vast, procedurally generated universe
- Deep crafting and building systems
- Flexible single‑player and multiplayer modes
- Strong community mod support
- No core campaign or objectives
- Graphics are dated compared to modern titles
- Scripting can be steep for beginners
- Steep learning curve for new players
- Occasional performance hiccups on lower‑end hardware
- Limited end‑game content beyond exploration
More alternatives & similar tools
Alternatives to Garry's Mod
View all →
Alternatives to Starbound
View all →
The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataStarbound gives a structured sandbox adventure with endless worlds and deep crafting, while Garry's Mod provides an open‑ended physics sandbox with limitless creativity but no built‑in objectives.
Key differences
- •Starbound focuses on exploration, RPG combat and crafting; Garry's Mod centers on physics manipulation and user‑made game modes.
- •Starbound includes procedurally generated planets and a narrative backdrop; Garry's Mod has no core campaign or story.
- •Starbound’s price is $14.99 versus Garry's Mod at $9.99, but Starbound offers more built‑in content out of the box.
- •Starbound supports up to 8‑player co‑op exploration; Garry's Mod supports multiplayer but without dedicated co‑op modes.
- •Starbound has a higher critic score (87/100) and noted performance issues on low‑end hardware; Garry's Mod’s graphics are dated but runs on Linux, Windows, and macOS.
Gameplay & fun factor
Starbound combines platforming, RPG combat and crafting, giving more varied activities than Garry's Mod's pure physics sandbox.
Platform availability
Garry's Mod runs on Linux, Windows PC, and macOS; Starbound platform list not specified beyond typical PC.
Pricing & value
Garry's Mod costs $9.99, $5 cheaper than Starbound's $14.99, though Starbound includes more built‑in content.
Multiplayer / co‑op
Starbound supports up to 8‑player co‑op exploration; Garry's Mod offers multiplayer but no dedicated co‑op structure.
Content & replayability
Procedurally generated planets and extensive mod support give Starbound endless worlds; Garry's Mod relies on community modes.
Difficulty & accessibility
Starbound has a steep learning curve for new players; Garry's Mod's core tools are intuitive, though scripting can be tough.
Graphics & performance
Garry's Mod uses dated graphics but runs on low‑end hardware; Starbound may hiccup on lower‑end systems.
Choose Garry's Mod if…
Creative users who prefer a physics sandbox for building and modding without preset goals.
Choose Starbound if…
Players who want a story‑driven sandbox with exploration, combat and deep crafting.
Common questions
Which game is cheaper?
Garry's Mod costs $9.99; Starbound costs $14.99.
Do either games have built‑in multiplayer co‑op?
Starbound supports up to 8‑player co‑op; Garry's Mod supports multiplayer but lacks dedicated co‑op modes.
Is there a narrative or end‑game content?
Starbound offers exploration and limited end‑game content; Garry's Mod has no core campaign or objectives.