Softwr

Software · head to head

Defold vs Gravity Sketch

Defold logo

Defold

Software

The game engine for the creators of King

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Gravity Sketch logo

Gravity Sketch

Software

VR 3D design tool

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; Gravity Sketch free plan limited to 150MB cloud storage and 3 simultaneous users per room
  • They diverge on capability: Defold covers Lua scripting, Gravity Sketch covers VR design.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Defold and Gravity Sketch actually diverge.

Attributes where Defold and Gravity Sketch differ
AttributeDefoldGravity Sketch
Pricing modelfreefreemium
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, WebVR (Meta Quest, Steam, Web)
Founded20052014

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

Only in Gravity Sketch

  • VR design
  • Desktop app
  • Surface modeling
  • Collaboration
  • Import/export
  • Presentation mode
  • Rhino
  • Alias

Both cover

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

Gravity Sketch

  • Spatial 3D design and conceptualisation in VRnot Defold
  • Collaborative product design sessionsnot Defold
  • Conceptual model generationnot Defold
  • Engineering and design team collaboration in immersive environmentnot 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

Gravity Sketch

  • Free plan limited to 150MB cloud storage and 3 simultaneous users per room
  • File format support limited to OBJ and STL on free plan; other formats require paid plan
  • Evaluation tools (surface contours, viewpoints, section tool) not available on free tier
  • VR access requires Meta Quest, Steam, or web app; limited to specific platforms
  • Data localisation only available on Enterprise plan

Pricing, plan by plan

Defold

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

Gravity Sketch

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Gravity Sketch 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 Gravity Sketch if

  • You need vr design.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on VR (Meta Quest, Steam, Web).
  • You also want desktop app.
Gravity Sketch review

Questions people ask

Is Defold or Gravity Sketch better?
Neither clearly leads. Defold starts at Free and Gravity Sketch at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Defold or Gravity Sketch?
Defold starts at Free and Gravity Sketch at Free.
Does Defold or Gravity Sketch run on more platforms?
Defold runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web. Gravity Sketch runs on VR (Meta Quest, Steam, Web).
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 Gravity Sketch is typically brought in for.
What can Defold do that Gravity Sketch cannot?
Defold covers Lua scripting, Physics engine, Sprite system, Particle effects. Gravity Sketch covers VR design, Desktop app, Surface modeling, Collaboration. Both handle Windows support.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Defold

More on Gravity Sketch

Keep looking

Other head to heads