The Best Game Development Tools for iPad: Cost Breakdown & Why hyperPad Wins

Breaking Down the Costs of Publishing a Game as a Solo Developer on the Apple App Store

Developing and publishing a game on the Apple App Store as a solo developer is an exciting yet costly endeavor. From development tools to licensing fees, understanding the financial requirements is crucial. This article breaks down the costs associated with using three of the most popular game development tools—Unity, Unreal Engine, and Buildbox—while also highlighting why hyperPad is the best choice for game development on iPad.

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1. Key Cost Factors

Before diving into specific tools, here are the major costs associated with developing and publishing a game:

• Development Tools & Licenses – Fees for game engines, software, and tools.
• Apple Developer Program – Annual $99 fee to publish on the App Store.
• Asset Costs – Paid assets, sprites, music, and models.
• Marketing & Publishing – Costs for ads, trailers, and app store optimization (ASO).
• Third-Party Services – Cloud services, analytics, and monetization platforms.

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2. Cost Breakdown by Game Engine

Unity

• Development License: Free for personal use (<$200k revenue), Unity Pro ($2,040/year).
• Additional Costs: Asset Store purchases, optional cloud services.
• Monetization Fees: 2.5% revenue share if game earns over $1M per year.
• iPad Compatibility: Unity requires a PC or Mac for development; iPad is only supported for testing via Unity Remote.

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Unreal Engine

• Development License: Free to use, but requires a 5% royalty on revenue exceeding $1M.
• Additional Costs: Marketplace assets, optional premium support.
• Publishing Costs: Apple Developer Fee + Epic Games royalty structure.
• iPad Compatibility: Unreal Engine development requires a PC or Mac; no native iPad support.

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Buildbox

• Development License: Free version available, but with major limitations.
• Paid Plans: $199/year (Basic), $499/year (Pro) for full export capabilities.
• Additional Costs: Asset purchases, optional Buildbox asset marketplace.
• Monetization Fees: Revenue sharing applies for Free and Basic tiers.
• iPad Compatibility: Limited functionality on iPad; full game development requires a computer.

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hyperPad - The Best iPad Game Engine

• Development License: One-time lifetime payment of $14.99, with free upgrades and support.
• Professional-Grade Development: Unlike many other no-code platforms, hyperPad offers powerful features and has games successfully published on the App Store.
• Perfect for All Ages & Skill Levels: hyperPad is ideal for beginners, students, hobbyists, and professional developers alike.
• Best for iPad Development: Designed specifically for touch-based game development, making it the best tool for mobile game creation without the need for a traditional computer.
• Additional Costs: Asset purchases, optional cloud storage.
• Publishing Costs: No royalties or revenue sharing, only Apple’s $99 developer fee.
• iPad Compatibility: Fully functional on iPad, making it the only professional-grade game engine built for mobile development.

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3. Total Cost Estimation

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What's best for you?

For a solo developer, hyperPad is the most accessible and affordable way to create and publish a game directly from an iPad. Unlike Buildbox, which locks key features behind costly subscriptions, hyperPad provides a native, touch-friendly environment perfect for mobile game creation with a single affordable lifetime payment. With no subscriptions, no royalties, and professional-grade tools, hyperPad is the best choice for developers of all skill levels looking to create and publish games efficiently.

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Additionally, while Unity, Unreal Engine, and Buildbox all require a traditional computer for full development, hyperPad is the only professional-grade engine that works natively on iPad. This makes it the ideal choice for mobile-first game development, allowing users to create, test, and publish games—all from their iPad.

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If you’re looking for an easy-to-use, powerful, and professional game development tool, hyperPad is unmatched. While Unreal and Unity are great for high-end 3D games, and Buildbox is a viable but expensive no-code alternative, hyperPad stands out as the best option for mobile-first game development, empowering creators of all ages to bring their ideas to life.

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