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Game Development · head to head

Defold vs Tiled

Defold logo

Defold

Game Development

The game engine for the creators of King

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Tiled logo

Tiled

Game Development

Flexible level editor for 2D games

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; Tiled no official iOS or Android builds; desktop-only distribution
  • They diverge on capability: Defold covers Lua scripting, Tiled covers Tile layers.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Defold and Tiled actually diverge.

Attributes where Defold and Tiled differ
AttributeDefoldTiled
Pricing modelfreeUnknown
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, WebWindows, macOS, Linux
Founded20052008

Identical on both: starting price (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

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

Only in Tiled

  • Tile layers
  • Object layers
  • Terrain tool
  • Auto-mapping
  • Wang tiles
  • Custom properties
  • Scripting (JavaScript)
  • Multiple export formats

Both cover

  • Local deployment
  • Windows support
  • Macos support
  • Linux 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 Tiled
  • Shipping small-footprint HTML5 gamesnot Tiled
  • Teams wanting a free engine with no revenue share on gamesnot Tiled

Tiled

  • Tile-based maps for RPGs, platformers, and Breakout-style gamesnot Defold
  • Orthogonal, isometric, and hexagonal map layoutsnot Defold
  • Object layers (rectangles, ellipses, polygons, points) for collision boxes, spawn points, and triggersnot Defold
  • Large 'infinite' maps and multi-map world projectsnot Defold
  • Export to game engines via built-in/scripted exporters using the open TMX formatnot 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

Tiled

  • No official iOS or Android builds; desktop-only distribution
  • No official browser-based version of the editor itself, despite exporting to many engine formats
  • Building from source requires a Qt 6.2+ / C++ / Qbs toolchain
  • Multi-license codebase (GPL 2.0 application plus Apache 2.0 and BSD components), so redistributors must track which license applies per file

Pricing, plan by plan

Defold

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

Tiled

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Tiled 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 Tiled if

  • You need tile layers.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want object layers.
Tiled review

Questions people ask

Is Defold or Tiled better?
Neither clearly leads. Defold starts at Free and Tiled at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Defold or Tiled?
Defold starts at Free and Tiled at Free.
Does Defold or Tiled run on more platforms?
Defold runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web. Tiled runs on Windows, macOS, 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 Tiled is typically brought in for.
What can Defold do that Tiled cannot?
Defold covers Lua scripting, Physics engine, Sprite system, Particle effects. Tiled covers Tile layers, Object layers, Terrain tool, Auto-mapping. Both handle Local deployment, Windows support, Macos support, Linux support.
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