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Defold vs Bevy

Defold logo

Defold

Software

The game engine for the creators of King

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Bevy logo

Bevy

Software

A refreshingly simple data-driven game engine built in Rust

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Defold the Defold License requires you to include the Defold license and copyright notice in any work you create with the engine; Bevy rust only, so it assumes a language most game teams do not already use
  • They diverge on capability: Defold covers Lua scripting, Bevy covers Entity Component System.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Defold and Bevy actually diverge.

Attributes where Defold and Bevy differ
AttributeDefoldBevy
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, WebWindows, Macos, Linux, Webgl
Founded20052020

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (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 Defold

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

Only in Bevy

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

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.

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

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

Where each one falls short

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

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

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

Pricing, plan by plan

Defold

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

Bevy

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

Which should you pick?

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

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

Questions people ask

Is Defold or Bevy better?
Neither clearly leads. Defold starts at Free and Bevy at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Defold or Bevy?
Defold starts at Free and Bevy at Free.
Does Defold or Bevy run on more platforms?
Defold runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web. Bevy runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Webgl.
Can I use Defold for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Defold best used for?
Defold is most often used for building 2d games for mobile, desktop, web and console from a single project, shipping small-footprint html5 games, teams wanting a free engine with no revenue share on games. Of those, building 2d games for mobile, desktop, web and console from a single project and shipping small-footprint html5 games are not what Bevy is typically brought in for.
What can Defold do that Bevy cannot?
Defold covers Lua scripting, Physics engine, Sprite system, Particle effects. Bevy covers Entity Component System, 2D/3D rendering, Audio system, Asset pipeline. Both handle Local deployment, Web deployment, Windows support, Macos support.
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