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Game Development · head to head

Defold vs Discord

Defold logo

Defold

Game Development

The game engine for the creators of King

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Discord logo

Discord

Gaming

Your place to talk and hang out

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; Discord file upload size is tied to subscription: Nitro Basic at $2.99 a month raises it to 50MB and Nitro at $9.99 a month to 500MB
  • They diverge on capability: Defold covers Lua scripting, Discord covers Voice channels.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Defold and Discord actually diverge.

Attributes where Defold and Discord differ
AttributeDefoldDiscord
Pricing modelfreefreemium
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, WebWeb, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android
CategoryGame DevelopmentGaming
Founded20052015

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Defold

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

Only in Discord

  • Voice channels
  • Video calls
  • Text channels
  • Screen sharing
  • Go Live streaming
  • Server organization
  • Role management
  • Moderation tools

Both cover

  • GitHub

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 Discord
  • Shipping small-footprint HTML5 gamesnot Discord
  • Teams wanting a free engine with no revenue share on gamesnot Discord

Discord

  • Text, voice and video chat for communities and gaming groupsnot Defold
  • Running a moderated community server with roles and channelsnot Defold
  • Screen sharing and streaming gameplay to a small groupnot 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

Discord

  • File upload size is tied to subscription: Nitro Basic at $2.99 a month raises it to 50MB and Nitro at $9.99 a month to 500MB
  • HD video streaming requires the full Nitro subscription
  • Custom emoji use across servers, custom profiles and per server profiles are full Nitro only
  • Server boosts are bundled only with full Nitro, at two boosts plus a discount on extras
  • Nitro Basic explicitly excludes several Nitro perks including Xbox Game Pass access and custom video backgrounds

Pricing, plan by plan

Defold

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

Discord

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited text chat
    • Voice & video calls
    • Screen sharing
  • Nitro Basic$4.99/month
    • 50MB file uploads
    • Custom emojis anywhere
    • Special Nitro badge
  • Nitro$9.99/month
    • 500MB file uploads
    • HD video streaming
    • 2 Server Boosts

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 Discord if

  • You need voice channels.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android.
  • You also want video calls.
Discord review

Questions people ask

Is Defold or Discord better?
Neither clearly leads. Defold starts at Free and Discord at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Defold or Discord?
Defold starts at Free and Discord at Free.
Does Defold or Discord run on more platforms?
Defold runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web. Discord runs on Web, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android.
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 Discord is typically brought in for.
What can Defold do that Discord cannot?
Defold covers Lua scripting, Physics engine, Sprite system, Particle effects. Discord covers Voice channels, Video calls, Text channels, Screen sharing. Both handle GitHub.
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