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Defold vs Godot Engine

Defold logo

Defold

Software

The game engine for the creators of King

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Godot Engine logo

Godot Engine

Software

Free and open-source 2D and 3D game engine

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; Godot Engine no royalties or licensing fees, but requires self-hosting and maintenance of the engine builds
  • They diverge on capability: Defold covers Lua scripting, Godot Engine covers Scene system.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Defold and Godot Engine actually diverge.

Attributes where Defold and Godot Engine differ
AttributeDefoldGodot Engine
Pricing modelfreeopen-source
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, WebLinux, macOS, Windows, Android, iOS, Web, Consoles
Founded20052007

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 Defold

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

Only in Godot Engine

  • Scene system
  • GDScript language
  • Visual shader editor
  • 2D and 3D rendering
  • Built-in animation tools
  • Debugging tools
  • Asset library
  • Git

Both cover

  • Physics engine
  • GitHub
  • 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 Godot Engine
  • Shipping small-footprint HTML5 gamesnot Godot Engine
  • Teams wanting a free engine with no revenue share on gamesnot Godot Engine

Godot Engine

  • 2D game developmentnot Defold
  • 3D game developmentnot Defold
  • Cross-platform game deploymentnot Defold
  • VFX and simulation projectsnot 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

Godot Engine

  • No royalties or licensing fees, but requires self-hosting and maintenance of the engine builds
  • Console export support exists but requires additional SDK setup and licensing with each console manufacturer separately

Pricing, plan by plan

Defold

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

Godot Engine

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Godot Engine 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 sprite system.
Defold review

Choose Godot Engine if

  • You need scene system.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, macOS, Windows, Android, iOS, Web, Consoles.
  • You also want gdscript language.
Godot Engine review

Questions people ask

Is Defold or Godot Engine better?
Neither clearly leads. Defold starts at Free and Godot Engine at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Defold or Godot Engine?
Defold starts at Free and Godot Engine at Free.
Does Defold or Godot Engine run on more platforms?
Defold runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web. Godot Engine runs on Linux, macOS, Windows, Android, iOS, Web, Consoles.
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 Godot Engine is typically brought in for.
What can Defold do that Godot Engine cannot?
Defold covers Lua scripting, Sprite system, Particle effects, Sound management. Godot Engine covers Scene system, GDScript language, Visual shader editor, 2D and 3D rendering. Both handle Physics engine, GitHub, Local deployment, Web deployment.
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