Softwr

Game Development · head to head

Defold vs RPG Maker MV

Defold logo

Defold

Game Development

The game engine for the creators of King

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
RPG Maker MV logo

RPG Maker MV

Game Development

Create 2D RPGs with ease. The perfect tool for indie developers

From
$79.99/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; RPG Maker MV the free version is a 30 day trial only
  • They diverge on capability: Defold covers Lua scripting, RPG Maker MV covers Event-based system.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Defold and RPG Maker MV actually diverge.

Attributes where Defold and RPG Maker MV differ
AttributeDefoldRPG Maker MV
Starting priceFree$79.99/one-time
Pricing modelfreesubscription
Free tierYesNo
Founded20051945

Identical on both: 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 RPG Maker MV

  • Event-based system
  • Database editor
  • Tilemap editor
  • Sprite animations
  • JavaScript support
  • Plugin system
  • Built-in music library
  • NPC dialogue system

Both cover

  • GitHub
  • Local deployment
  • Mobile deployment
  • Web deployment
  • Windows support
  • Macos support
  • Linux support
  • Ios 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 RPG Maker MV
  • Shipping small-footprint HTML5 gamesnot RPG Maker MV
  • Teams wanting a free engine with no revenue share on gamesnot RPG Maker MV

RPG Maker MV

  • Making 2D role playing games and exporting to Windows, macOS, Android, iOS and HTML5not Defold
  • Beginner game development with bundled art, audio and a database driven editornot Defold
  • Side view battle system RPGs with mouse and touch inputnot 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

RPG Maker MV

  • The free version is a 30 day trial only
  • The licence restricts bundled company materials to games created with the software and prohibits distributing them independently or combined with other programs
  • Distributed games must indicate in attached documentation that they were created using the software and carry the Gotcha Gotcha Games statement of rights
  • Extracting or modifying the bundled programs or assets out of a released game is prohibited
  • Installing and using the software on three or more user devices is prohibited

Pricing, plan by plan

Defold

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

RPG Maker MV

$79.99/one-time
  • Standard$79.99/one-time
    • Full editor access
    • Unlimited projects
    • Asset library

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 RPG Maker MV if

  • You need event-based system.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want database editor.
RPG Maker MV review

Questions people ask

Is Defold or RPG Maker MV better?
Neither clearly leads. Defold starts at Free and RPG Maker MV at $79.99/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Defold or RPG Maker MV?
Defold has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Defold and $79.99/one-time for RPG Maker MV.
Does Defold or RPG Maker MV 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?
Yes. Defold has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. RPG Maker MV starts at $79.99/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 RPG Maker MV is typically brought in for.
What can Defold do that RPG Maker MV cannot?
Defold covers Lua scripting, Physics engine, Sprite system, Particle effects. RPG Maker MV covers Event-based system, Database editor, Tilemap editor, Sprite animations. Both handle GitHub, Local deployment, Mobile deployment, Web deployment.

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
RPG Maker MV: How much does RPG Maker MV cost?

RPG Maker MV pricing is not listed on the product overview page. The software can be purchased through the Official Store or Steam platform, both of which would display current pricing.

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
RPG Maker MV: Does RPG Maker MV offer a free trial?

Yes, RPG Maker MV offers a free trial download available on the product page.

Source
RPG Maker MV: What does an RPG Maker MV purchase include?

Your RPG Maker MV purchase includes the stand-alone version for Windows, a complimentary Steam key for Windows/Mac/Linux, and free bonus materials.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on Defold

More on RPG Maker MV

Keep looking

Other head to heads