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Defold vs Xbox Game Pass

Defold logo

Defold

Software

The game engine for the creators of King

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
X

Xbox Game Pass

Software

Play together with friends, new games and classic favorites

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; Xbox Game Pass day-one access to new Xbox-published games is only included on the Ultimate tier, not on Essential or Premium

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Defold and Xbox Game Pass actually diverge.

Attributes where Defold and Xbox Game Pass differ
AttributeDefoldXbox Game Pass
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 Xbox Game Pass

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

Xbox Game Pass

No use cases recorded yet. See the Xbox Game Pass 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

Xbox Game Pass

  • Day-one access to new Xbox-published games is only included on the Ultimate tier, not on Essential or Premium
  • Cloud gaming quality is explicitly tiered, with the vendor stating Premium gets improved cloud quality and only Ultimate gets premium cloud gaming

Pricing, plan by plan

Defold

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

Xbox Game Pass

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Xbox Game Pass 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 Xbox Game Pass if

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

Xbox Game Pass review

Questions people ask

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