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Clickteam Fusion vs Defold

C

Clickteam Fusion

Software

Professional visual game development software

From
$99/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Defold logo

Defold

Software

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: Clickteam Fusion listed on Steam, the vendor's own storefront, at $99.99 for a perpetual licence of Clickteam Fusion 2.5, published directly by Clickteam; 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: Clickteam Fusion covers Visual event system, Defold covers Lua scripting.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Clickteam Fusion and Defold actually diverge.

Attributes where Clickteam Fusion and Defold differ
AttributeClickteam FusionDefold
Starting price$99/one-timeFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfree
Free tierNoYes
Founded19962005

Identical on both: platforms (Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web), 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 Clickteam Fusion

  • Visual event system
  • Drag-and-drop interface
  • Sound and music
  • Sprite animation
  • Extensions support
  • Multi-core support
  • Fast compiler
  • Steam

Only in Defold

  • Lua scripting
  • Sprite system
  • Particle effects
  • Sound management
  • Collection editor
  • Mobile optimization
  • Lightweight
  • Visual Studio Code

Both cover

  • Physics engine
  • Local deployment
  • Web deployment
  • Mobile deployment
  • Windows support
  • Macos support
  • Linux support

What people use each for

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

Clickteam Fusion

  • 2D game developmentnot Defold
  • Professional gamesnot Defold
  • Cross-platform developmentnot Defold

Defold

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

Where each one falls short

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

Clickteam Fusion

  • Listed on Steam, the vendor's own storefront, at $99.99 for a perpetual licence of Clickteam Fusion 2.5, published directly by Clickteam

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

Clickteam Fusion

$99/one-time
  • Standard$99/one-time
    • Visual event editor
    • Desktop export
    • HTML5 export
  • Premium$199/one-time
    • All Standard features
    • Android export
    • iOS export

Defold

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Clickteam Fusion if

  • You need visual event system.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want drag-and-drop interface.
Clickteam Fusion 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 sprite system.
Defold review

Questions people ask

Is Clickteam Fusion or Defold better?
Neither clearly leads. Clickteam Fusion starts at $99/one-time and Defold at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Clickteam Fusion or Defold?
Defold has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $99/one-time for Clickteam Fusion and Free for Defold.
Does Clickteam Fusion or Defold run on more platforms?
Both run on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Defold for free?
Yes. Defold has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Clickteam Fusion starts at $99/one-time.
What is Clickteam Fusion best used for?
Clickteam Fusion is most often used for 2d game development, professional games, cross-platform development. Of those, 2d game development and professional games are not what Defold is typically brought in for.
What can Clickteam Fusion do that Defold cannot?
Clickteam Fusion covers Visual event system, Drag-and-drop interface, Sound and music, Sprite animation. Defold covers Lua scripting, Sprite system, Particle effects, Sound management. Both handle Physics engine, Local deployment, Web deployment, Mobile deployment.
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