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3D & CAD · head to head

3D-Coat vs Defold

3D-Coat logo

3D-Coat

3D & CAD

Digital sculpting for game artists

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Defold logo

Defold

Game Development

The game engine for the creators of King

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Defold has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: 3D-Coat split into separate products, so 3DCoatTextura covers texturing only and the full sculpting toolset needs the complete 3DCoat licence; Defold the Defold License requires you to include the Defold license and copyright notice in any work you create with the engine
  • They diverge on capability: 3D-Coat covers Voxel sculpting, Defold covers Lua scripting.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which 3D-Coat and Defold actually diverge.

Attributes where 3D-Coat and Defold differ
Attribute3D-CoatDefold
Starting price$29/monthFree
Pricing modelone-timefree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, MacOS, LinuxWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web
Category3D & CADGame Development
Founded20072005

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in 3D-Coat

  • Voxel sculpting
  • Surface sculpting
  • Retopology
  • UV mapping
  • Texture painting
  • PBR materials
  • Smart materials
  • Baking

Only in Defold

  • Lua scripting
  • Physics engine
  • Sprite system
  • Particle effects
  • Sound management
  • Collection editor
  • Mobile optimization
  • Lightweight

Both cover

  • Windows support
  • Linux support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

3D-Coat

  • Voxel sculpting from a digital clay blocknot Defold
  • Retopology of high-density sculpts into production meshesnot Defold
  • UV mapping and PBR texturingnot Defold
  • Preparing print-ready models for 3D printingnot Defold
  • Node-based material authoring on the GPUnot Defold

Defold

  • Building 2D games for mobile, desktop, web and console from a single projectnot 3D-Coat
  • Shipping small-footprint HTML5 gamesnot 3D-Coat
  • Teams wanting a free engine with no revenue share on gamesnot 3D-Coat

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

3D-Coat

  • Split into separate products, so 3DCoatTextura covers texturing only and the full sculpting toolset needs the complete 3DCoat licence
  • Pricing is not published on the product pages
  • Licences are sold node-locked or floating, so moving a seat between machines depends on which was bought

Defold

  • The Defold License requires you to include the Defold license and copyright notice in any work you create with the engine
  • The licence forbids commercialising original or modified versions of the Defold editor or engine itself
  • Significant changes made to the Defold source must be documented under the licence terms

Pricing, plan by plan

3D-Coat

$29/month
  • Amateur$99/month
    • Non-commercial use
  • Professional$379/month
    • Full commercial license
  • Floating$568/month
    • Network licensing

Defold

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full editor
    • Lua scripting
    • Physics engine

Which should you pick?

Choose 3D-Coat if

  • You need voxel sculpting.
  • You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
  • You also want surface sculpting.
3D-Coat review

Choose Defold if

  • You need lua scripting.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want physics engine.
Defold review

Questions people ask

Is 3D-Coat or Defold better?
Neither clearly leads. 3D-Coat starts at $29/month and Defold at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, 3D-Coat or Defold?
Defold has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $29/month for 3D-Coat and Free for Defold.
Does 3D-Coat or Defold run on more platforms?
3D-Coat runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux. Defold runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
Can I use Defold for free?
Yes. Defold has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. 3D-Coat starts at $29/month.
What is 3D-Coat best used for?
3D-Coat is most often used for voxel sculpting from a digital clay block, retopology of high-density sculpts into production meshes, uv mapping and pbr texturing, preparing print-ready models for 3d printing. Of those, voxel sculpting from a digital clay block and retopology of high-density sculpts into production meshes are not what Defold is typically brought in for.
What can 3D-Coat do that Defold cannot?
3D-Coat covers Voxel sculpting, Surface sculpting, Retopology, UV mapping. Defold covers Lua scripting, Physics engine, Sprite system, Particle effects. Both handle Windows support, Linux support.
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