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Defold vs Wwise

Defold logo

Defold

Software

The game engine for the creators of King

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Wwise logo

Wwise

Software

The most advanced audio middleware for 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; Wwise tier eligibility is set by production budget: the free Indie plan requires a production budget under $250K
  • They diverge on capability: Defold covers Lua scripting, Wwise covers Wwise Authoring.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Defold and Wwise actually diverge.

Attributes where Defold and Wwise differ
AttributeDefoldWwise
Pricing modelfreefreemium
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, WebWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Consoles
Founded20052000

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Wwise

  • Wwise Authoring
  • Interactive music
  • 3D audio
  • Spatial audio
  • Ambisonics
  • Profiling
  • Plugin architecture
  • SoundSeed

Both cover

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

Wwise

  • Authoring interactive and adaptive game audio outside the game enginenot Defold
  • Managing large sound banks and per-platform audio buildsnot Defold
  • Profiling runtime audio memory and voice counts on console targetsnot 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

Wwise

  • Tier eligibility is set by production budget: the free Indie plan requires a production budget under $250K
  • A production budget between $250K and $2M requires the Pro plan, starting at $8,000 US
  • A production budget above $2M requires the Premium plan, starting at $27,000 US, or Platinum starting at $52,000 US
  • Licence pricing is per title and per platform rather than a flat studio fee, and the headline figures are starting prices
  • Premium plug-ins and the Wwise DLC licence are optional paid add-ons on Pro and Premium rather than included
  • Source code access is only available with a support package
  • On the free Indie plan there is no paid support option at all, only community Q and A
  • Royalty-free status is optional rather than automatic on the Pro plan

Pricing, plan by plan

Defold

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

Wwise

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 500 media assets
    • All features
    • Non-commercial use
  • Commercial$750/platform
    • Unlimited assets
    • Commercial use
    • Priority support

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 Wwise if

  • You need wwise authoring.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Consoles.
  • You also want interactive music.
Wwise review

Questions people ask

Is Defold or Wwise better?
Neither clearly leads. Defold starts at Free and Wwise at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Defold or Wwise?
Defold starts at Free and Wwise at Free.
Does Defold or Wwise run on more platforms?
Defold runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web. Wwise runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Consoles.
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 Wwise is typically brought in for.
What can Defold do that Wwise cannot?
Defold covers Lua scripting, Physics engine, Sprite system, Particle effects. Wwise covers Wwise Authoring, Interactive music, 3D audio, Spatial audio. Both handle Local deployment, Windows support, Macos support, Linux support.
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