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Defold vs Nintendo Switch Online

Defold logo

Defold

Software

The game engine for the creators of King

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
N

Nintendo Switch Online

Software

Online play, classic games and more

From
On request
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; Nintendo Switch Online individual plan is $19.99 per year but access to GameCube, N64, Game Boy Advance and SEGA Genesis titles requires the $49.99 per year Expansion Pack tier

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Defold and Nintendo Switch Online actually diverge.

Attributes where Defold and Nintendo Switch Online differ
AttributeDefoldNintendo Switch Online
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, WebWeb
Founded2005Unknown

Identical on both: 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 Nintendo Switch Online

Nothing recorded that Defold does not also cover.

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 Nintendo Switch Online
  • Shipping small-footprint HTML5 gamesnot Nintendo Switch Online
  • Teams wanting a free engine with no revenue share on gamesnot Nintendo Switch Online

Nintendo Switch Online

No use cases recorded yet. See the Nintendo Switch Online review.

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

Nintendo Switch Online

  • Individual plan is $19.99 per year but access to GameCube, N64, Game Boy Advance and SEGA Genesis titles requires the $49.99 per year Expansion Pack tier
  • Family plan pricing of $34.99 or $79.99 per year caps membership sharing at 8 accounts

Pricing, plan by plan

Defold

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

Nintendo Switch Online

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Nintendo Switch Online 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 Nintendo Switch Online if

Nothing in the data separates Nintendo Switch Online from Defold on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Nintendo Switch Online review

Questions people ask

Is Defold or Nintendo Switch Online better?
Neither clearly leads. Defold starts at Free and Nintendo Switch Online at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Defold or Nintendo Switch Online?
Defold has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Defold and On request for Nintendo Switch Online.
Does Defold or Nintendo Switch Online run on more platforms?
Defold runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web. Nintendo Switch Online runs on Web.
Can I use Defold for free?
Yes. Defold has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Nintendo Switch Online starts at On request.
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 Nintendo Switch Online is typically brought in for.
What can Defold do that Nintendo Switch Online cannot?
Defold covers Lua scripting, Physics engine, Sprite system, Particle effects.
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