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Game Development · head to head

Bevy vs Defold

Bevy logo

Bevy

Game Development

A refreshingly simple data-driven game engine built in Rust

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Defold logo

Defold

Game Development

The game engine for the creators of King

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Bevy rust only, so it assumes a language most game teams do not already use; 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: Bevy covers Entity Component System, Defold covers Lua scripting.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Bevy and Defold actually diverge.

Attributes where Bevy and Defold differ
AttributeBevyDefold
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, WebglWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web
Founded20202005

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Game Development).

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 Bevy

  • Entity Component System
  • 2D/3D rendering
  • Audio system
  • Asset pipeline
  • Hot reloading
  • Cross-platform
  • Modular architecture
  • Parallel systems

Only in Defold

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

Both cover

  • Local deployment
  • Web deployment
  • Windows support
  • Macos support
  • Linux support

What people use each for

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

Bevy

  • 2D and 3D game development in Rustnot Defold
  • Data-driven design using an entity component systemnot Defold
  • Shipping to Windows, macOS, Linux, web, iOS and Android from one codebasenot Defold
  • Projects wanting a permissive licence with no royalties or feesnot Defold

Defold

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

Where each one falls short

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

Bevy

  • Rust only, so it assumes a language most game teams do not already use
  • No visual editor of the kind Unity or Godot provide, so scenes and logic are written in code
  • Built around ECS, which is a different mental model from the scene-graph engines most developers come from

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

Bevy

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Full engine access
    • ECS architecture
    • Hot reloading

Defold

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Bevy if

  • You need entity component system.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Webgl.
  • You also want 2d/3d rendering.
Bevy 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 Bevy or Defold better?
Neither clearly leads. Bevy starts at Free and Defold at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Bevy or Defold?
Bevy starts at Free and Defold at Free.
Does Bevy or Defold run on more platforms?
Bevy runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Webgl. Defold runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
Can I use Bevy for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Bevy best used for?
Bevy is most often used for 2d and 3d game development in rust, data-driven design using an entity component system, shipping to windows, macos, linux, web, ios and android from one codebase, projects wanting a permissive licence with no royalties or fees. Of those, 2d and 3d game development in rust and data-driven design using an entity component system are not what Defold is typically brought in for.
What can Bevy do that Defold cannot?
Bevy covers Entity Component System, 2D/3D rendering, Audio system, Asset pipeline. Defold covers Lua scripting, Physics engine, Sprite system, Particle effects. Both handle Local deployment, Web deployment, Windows support, Macos support.
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