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Defold vs ZBrush

Defold logo

Defold

Software

The game engine for the creators of King

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
ZBrush logo

ZBrush

Software

Industry standard for digital sculpting

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; ZBrush subscription model required; no perpetual licence option available
  • They diverge on capability: Defold covers Lua scripting, ZBrush covers Digital sculpting.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Defold and ZBrush actually diverge.

Attributes where Defold and ZBrush differ
AttributeDefoldZBrush
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, WebWindows, macOS, iPadOS
Founded20051986

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 ZBrush

  • Digital sculpting
  • Dynamesh
  • ZRemesher
  • PolyPaint
  • Live Boolean
  • Sculptris Pro
  • UV Master
  • High polygon handling

Both cover

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

ZBrush

  • Digital character and creature sculptingnot Defold
  • High-polygon organic form designnot Defold
  • Texture painting and PolyPaint worknot Defold
  • Game asset creation and 3D modellingnot 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

ZBrush

  • Subscription model required; no perpetual licence option available
  • iPad version requires separate subscription to ZBrush for iPad

Pricing, plan by plan

Defold

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

ZBrush

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the ZBrush 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 ZBrush if

  • You need digital sculpting.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, iPadOS.
  • You also want dynamesh.
ZBrush review

Questions people ask

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