Software · head to head
Bevy vs DragonBones
Bevy
Software
A refreshingly simple data-driven game engine built in Rust
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Bevy rust only, so it assumes a language most game teams do not already use; DragonBones javaScript/TypeScript runtime limited to specific game engines (Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator)
- They diverge on capability: Bevy covers Entity Component System, DragonBones covers Skeletal animation.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Bevy and DragonBones actually diverge.
| Attribute | Bevy | DragonBones |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | free | open-source |
| Platforms | Windows, Macos, Linux, Webgl | Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator |
| Founded | 2020 | 2014 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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 DragonBones
- Skeletal animation
- Mesh deformation
- IK system
- Texture atlas
- Animation blending
- Bone constraints
- FFD
- Multi-resolution
Both cover
- Local deployment
- Windows support
- Macos 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 DragonBones
- Data-driven design using an entity component systemnot DragonBones
- Shipping to Windows, macOS, Linux, web, iOS and Android from one codebasenot DragonBones
- Projects wanting a permissive licence with no royalties or feesnot DragonBones
DragonBones
- 2D skeletal animation for JavaScript and TypeScript game enginesnot Bevy
- Cross-engine animation library for indie game developmentnot Bevy
- Animation creation with LoongBones editornot 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
DragonBones
- JavaScript/TypeScript runtime limited to specific game engines (Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator)
Pricing, plan by plan
Bevy
Free- Open SourceFree
- Full engine access
- ECS architecture
- Hot reloading
DragonBones
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the DragonBones review.
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.
Choose DragonBones if
- You need skeletal animation.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator.
- You also want mesh deformation.
Questions people ask
- Is Bevy or DragonBones better?
- Neither clearly leads. Bevy starts at Free and DragonBones at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Bevy or DragonBones?
- Bevy starts at Free and DragonBones at Free.
- Does Bevy or DragonBones run on more platforms?
- Bevy runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Webgl. DragonBones runs on Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator.
- 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 DragonBones is typically brought in for.
- What can Bevy do that DragonBones cannot?
- Bevy covers Entity Component System, 2D/3D rendering, Audio system, Asset pipeline. DragonBones covers Skeletal animation, Mesh deformation, IK system, Texture atlas. Both handle Local deployment, Windows support, Macos support.