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Game Development · head to head

Defold vs Lumberyard

Defold logo

Defold

Game Development

The game engine for the creators of King

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Lumberyard logo

Lumberyard

Game Development

Build AAA games with a free, cross-platform 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; Lumberyard aWS Lumberyard free tier has restricted access and is intended for getting started only
  • They diverge on capability: Defold covers Physics engine, Lumberyard covers CryEngine foundation.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Defold and Lumberyard actually diverge.

Attributes where Defold and Lumberyard differ
AttributeDefoldLumberyard
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, WebWindows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux
Founded20052006

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (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

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

Only in Lumberyard

  • CryEngine foundation
  • Flowgraph editor
  • Advanced graphics
  • Physics simulation
  • AWS GameLift integration
  • Multiplayer support
  • VR capabilities
  • AWS services

Both cover

  • Lua scripting
  • Local deployment
  • 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 Lumberyard
  • Shipping small-footprint HTML5 gamesnot Lumberyard
  • Teams wanting a free engine with no revenue share on gamesnot Lumberyard

Lumberyard

  • Building 3D games with an AWS-integrated enginenot Defold
  • Cloud-connected multiplayer game backendsnot Defold
  • Twitch integration for streamed gameplay featuresnot 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

Lumberyard

  • AWS Lumberyard free tier has restricted access and is intended for getting started only
  • Production use requires pay-as-you-go costs that scale with usage
  • Exact pricing depends on specific AWS services consumed and usage levels

Pricing, plan by plan

Defold

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

Lumberyard

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full engine source
    • AWS integration
    • Lua scripting

Which should you pick?

Choose Defold if

  • You need physics engine.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want sprite system.
Defold review

Choose Lumberyard if

  • You need cryengine foundation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux.
  • You also want flowgraph editor.
Lumberyard review

Questions people ask

Is Defold or Lumberyard better?
Neither clearly leads. Defold starts at Free and Lumberyard at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Defold or Lumberyard?
Defold starts at Free and Lumberyard at Free.
Does Defold or Lumberyard run on more platforms?
Defold runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web. Lumberyard runs on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux.
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 Lumberyard is typically brought in for.
What can Defold do that Lumberyard cannot?
Defold covers Physics engine, Sprite system, Particle effects, Sound management. Lumberyard covers CryEngine foundation, Flowgraph editor, Advanced graphics, Physics simulation. Both handle Lua scripting, Local deployment, Windows 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
Lumberyard: Does AWS Lumberyard cost money?

AWS Lumberyard is not free for production use. The service offers a free tier for getting started, hands-on experience, and development. Production deployments use AWS's pay-as-you-go pricing model where costs scale with your usage.

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
Lumberyard: How is AWS Lumberyard priced?

Lumberyard uses AWS's flexible consumption-based pricing. Customers can use the free tier to explore services, then pay for what they use in production. AWS also offers Savings Plans for lower prices on committed usage.

Source
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