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Game Development · head to head

Defold vs Ren'Py

Defold logo

Defold

Game Development

The game engine for the creators of King

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Ren'Py logo

Ren'Py

Game Development

A visual novel 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; Ren'Py desktop support is limited to Windows 10 and later on x86_64, macOS 10.10 and later on x86_64, and Linux on x86_64 or Arm
  • They diverge on capability: Defold covers Lua scripting, Ren'Py covers Simple scripting language.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Defold and Ren'Py actually diverge.

Attributes where Defold and Ren'Py differ
AttributeDefoldRen'Py
Founded20052004

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (free), free tier (Yes), platforms (Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web), 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

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

Only in Ren'Py

  • Simple scripting language
  • Text rendering
  • Image display
  • Animations
  • Sound and music
  • Choice system
  • Save/load functionality
  • Translation support

Both cover

  • GitHub
  • Local deployment
  • Mobile deployment
  • Web deployment
  • Windows support
  • Macos support
  • Linux support
  • Ios support
  • Android 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 Ren'Py
  • Shipping small-footprint HTML5 gamesnot Ren'Py
  • Teams wanting a free engine with no revenue share on gamesnot Ren'Py

Ren'Py

  • Writing visual novels with a text-based script languagenot Defold
  • Building dating and management life simulation gamesnot Defold
  • Shipping the same story project to Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOSnot 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

Ren'Py

  • Desktop support is limited to Windows 10 and later on x86_64, macOS 10.10 and later on x86_64, and Linux on x86_64 or Arm
  • Android and iOS are secondary platforms and development must be done on one of the three desktop platforms
  • Browser builds require WebAssembly support and Ren'Py states this platform remains Beta
  • Text support covers languages that do not require ligatures, with only some ligature-requiring languages supported

Pricing, plan by plan

Defold

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

Ren'Py

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full engine
    • Cross-platform support
    • Rich scripting language

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 Ren'Py if

  • You need simple scripting language.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want text rendering.
Ren'Py review

Questions people ask

Is Defold or Ren'Py better?
Neither clearly leads. Defold starts at Free and Ren'Py at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Defold or Ren'Py?
Defold starts at Free and Ren'Py at Free.
Does Defold or Ren'Py run on more platforms?
Both run on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
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 Ren'Py is typically brought in for.
What can Defold do that Ren'Py cannot?
Defold covers Lua scripting, Physics engine, Sprite system, Particle effects. Ren'Py covers Simple scripting language, Text rendering, Image display, Animations. Both handle GitHub, Local deployment, Mobile deployment, Web deployment.
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