Software · head to head
DragonBones vs Bevy
Bevy
Software
A refreshingly simple data-driven game engine built in Rust
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: DragonBones javaScript/TypeScript runtime limited to specific game engines (Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator); Bevy rust only, so it assumes a language most game teams do not already use
- They diverge on capability: DragonBones covers Skeletal animation, Bevy covers Entity Component System.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which DragonBones and Bevy actually diverge.
| Attribute | DragonBones | Bevy |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | open-source | free |
| Platforms | Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator | Windows, Macos, Linux, Webgl |
| Founded | 2014 | 2020 |
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 DragonBones
- Skeletal animation
- Mesh deformation
- IK system
- Texture atlas
- Animation blending
- Bone constraints
- FFD
- Multi-resolution
Only in Bevy
- Entity Component System
- 2D/3D rendering
- Audio system
- Asset pipeline
- Hot reloading
- Cross-platform
- Modular architecture
- Parallel systems
Both cover
- Local deployment
- Windows support
- Macos support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
DragonBones
- 2D skeletal animation for JavaScript and TypeScript game enginesnot Bevy
- Cross-engine animation library for indie game developmentnot Bevy
- Animation creation with LoongBones editornot Bevy
Bevy
- 2D and 3D game development in Rustnot DragonBones
- Data-driven design using an entity component systemnot DragonBones
- Shipping to Windows, macOS, Linux, web, iOS and Android from one codebasenot DragonBones
- Projects wanting a permissive licence with no royalties or feesnot DragonBones
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
DragonBones
- JavaScript/TypeScript runtime limited to specific game engines (Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator)
Bevy
- Rust only, so it assumes a language most game teams do not already use
- No visual editor of the kind Unity or Godot provide, so scenes and logic are written in code
- Built around ECS, which is a different mental model from the scene-graph engines most developers come from
Pricing, plan by plan
DragonBones
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the DragonBones review.
Bevy
Free- Open SourceFree
- Full engine access
- ECS architecture
- Hot reloading
Which should you pick?
Choose DragonBones if
- You need skeletal animation.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator.
- You also want mesh deformation.
Choose Bevy if
- You need entity component system.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Webgl.
- You also want 2d/3d rendering.
Questions people ask
- Is DragonBones or Bevy better?
- Neither clearly leads. DragonBones starts at Free and Bevy at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, DragonBones or Bevy?
- DragonBones starts at Free and Bevy at Free.
- Does DragonBones or Bevy run on more platforms?
- DragonBones runs on Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator. Bevy runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Webgl.
- Can I use DragonBones for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is DragonBones best used for?
- DragonBones is most often used for 2d skeletal animation for javascript and typescript game engines, cross-engine animation library for indie game development, animation creation with loongbones editor. Of those, 2d skeletal animation for javascript and typescript game engines and cross-engine animation library for indie game development are not what Bevy is typically brought in for.
- What can DragonBones do that Bevy cannot?
- DragonBones covers Skeletal animation, Mesh deformation, IK system, Texture atlas. Bevy covers Entity Component System, 2D/3D rendering, Audio system, Asset pipeline. Both handle Local deployment, Windows support, Macos support.