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Game Development · head to head

Defold vs LightWave 3D

Defold logo

Defold

Game Development

The game engine for the creators of King

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
LightWave 3D logo

LightWave 3D

3D & CAD

Complete 3D production suite

From
$999/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Defold has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • 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; LightWave 3D user interface appears dated compared to modern competitors
  • They diverge on capability: Defold covers Lua scripting, LightWave 3D covers Modeler.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Defold and LightWave 3D actually diverge.

Attributes where Defold and LightWave 3D differ
AttributeDefoldLightWave 3D
Starting priceFree$999/one-time
Pricing modelfreeUnknown
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, WebWindows, macOS, Linux
CategoryGame Development3D & CAD
Founded20051990

Identical on both: 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 LightWave 3D

  • Modeler
  • Layout
  • Animation
  • Rendering
  • VPR
  • FiberFX
  • Dynamics
  • Unity

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 LightWave 3D
  • Shipping small-footprint HTML5 gamesnot LightWave 3D
  • Teams wanting a free engine with no revenue share on gamesnot LightWave 3D

LightWave 3D

  • Animationnot Defold
  • VFXnot Defold
  • Product visualizationnot 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

LightWave 3D

  • User interface appears dated compared to modern competitors
  • Smaller community than Blender or Maya, resulting in fewer learning resources
  • Less industry adoption in some sectors, potentially affecting job market relevance

Pricing, plan by plan

Defold

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

LightWave 3D

$999/one-time

No published plan breakdown. See the LightWave 3D 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 LightWave 3D if

  • You need modeler.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want layout.
LightWave 3D review

Questions people ask

Is Defold or LightWave 3D better?
Neither clearly leads. Defold starts at Free and LightWave 3D at $999/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Defold or LightWave 3D?
Defold has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Defold and $999/one-time for LightWave 3D.
Does Defold or LightWave 3D run on more platforms?
Defold runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web. LightWave 3D runs on Windows, macOS, Linux.
Can I use Defold for free?
Yes. Defold has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. LightWave 3D starts at $999/one-time.
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 LightWave 3D is typically brought in for.
What can Defold do that LightWave 3D cannot?
Defold covers Lua scripting, Physics engine, Sprite system, Particle effects. LightWave 3D covers Modeler, Layout, Animation, Rendering. Both handle Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

LightWave 3D: What is the cost of LightWave 3D?

LightWave 3D 2026 license costs $1,096 USD. Upgrades from previous versions cost $620-$758 USD. There are no subscription fees, only one-time purchase costs.

Source
LightWave 3D: Is there a free trial available?

Yes. LightWave 3D offers a 30-day free full-feature trial, allowing users to evaluate all capabilities before purchase.

Source
LightWave 3D: What rendering engines does it include?

LightWave 2026 includes RiPR2, a next-generation viewport renderer with physically-based global illumination built on Nvidia OptiX and CUDA, plus traditional rendering options.

Source
LightWave 3D: What new features are in LightWave 2026?

LightWave 2026 adds Advanced Placement for physics-based object scattering, MotoRig for vehicle animation, THOR for lightning effects, Fracture tool, Snow Falling 3D, 3D Camera Tracker, and built-in asset browser.

Source
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