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Defold vs Steam

Defold logo

Defold

Software

The game engine for the creators of King

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
S

Steam

Software

The ultimate destination for playing, discussing, and creating games

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; Steam publishing a game requires developers to pay a non-refundable $100 Steam Direct fee per title, recouped only once the product earns $1,000 in adjusted gross revenue

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Defold and Steam actually diverge.

Attributes where Defold and Steam differ
AttributeDefoldSteam
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 Steam

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

Steam

No use cases recorded yet. See the Steam 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

Steam

  • Publishing a game requires developers to pay a non-refundable $100 Steam Direct fee per title, recouped only once the product earns $1,000 in adjusted gross revenue
  • Core purchases and library are tied to a single Steam account with no vendor-stated official resale or transfer mechanism for owned games

Pricing, plan by plan

Defold

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

Steam

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Steam 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 Steam if

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

Steam review

Questions people ask

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