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Game Development · head to head

Defold vs DragonBones

Defold logo

Defold

Game Development

The game engine for the creators of King

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
DragonBones logo

DragonBones

Game Development

Free 2D skeletal animation solution

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; DragonBones javaScript/TypeScript runtime limited to specific game engines (Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator)
  • They diverge on capability: Defold covers Lua scripting, DragonBones covers Skeletal animation.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Defold and DragonBones actually diverge.

Attributes where Defold and DragonBones differ
AttributeDefoldDragonBones
Pricing modelfreeopen-source
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, WebEgret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator
Founded20052014

Identical on both: starting price (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 Defold

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

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.

Defold

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

DragonBones

  • 2D skeletal animation for JavaScript and TypeScript game enginesnot Defold
  • Cross-engine animation library for indie game developmentnot Defold
  • Animation creation with LoongBones editornot 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

DragonBones

  • JavaScript/TypeScript runtime limited to specific game engines (Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator)

Pricing, plan by plan

Defold

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

DragonBones

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the DragonBones review.

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 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.
DragonBones review

Questions people ask

Is Defold or DragonBones better?
Neither clearly leads. Defold 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, Defold or DragonBones?
Defold starts at Free and DragonBones at Free.
Does Defold or DragonBones run on more platforms?
Defold runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web. DragonBones runs on Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator.
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 DragonBones is typically brought in for.
What can Defold do that DragonBones cannot?
Defold covers Lua scripting, Physics engine, Sprite system, Particle effects. DragonBones covers Skeletal animation, Mesh deformation, IK system, Texture atlas. Both handle Local deployment, Windows support, Macos support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Defold: How much does Defold cost?

Defold is completely free with no up-front cost, no licensing cost, no royalties, and no runtime fees. The game engine is free forever, supported by the Defold Foundation with source code available under a developer-friendly license.

Source
DragonBones: Where is DragonBones pricing information?

Pricing and licensing details are not available on the official DragonBones website. Consult GitHub or contact the project maintainers for more information.

Source
Defold: Is Defold free to use commercially?

Yes, Defold is free forever with no royalties or revenue sharing required. Developers can create and monetize commercial games without any fees to Defold.

Source
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