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DragonBones vs Clickteam Fusion

D

DragonBones

Software

Free 2D skeletal animation solution

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
C

Clickteam Fusion

Software

Professional visual game development software

From
$99/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only DragonBones has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: DragonBones javaScript/TypeScript runtime limited to specific game engines (Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator); Clickteam Fusion listed on Steam, the vendor's own storefront, at $99.99 for a perpetual licence of Clickteam Fusion 2.5, published directly by Clickteam
  • They diverge on capability: DragonBones covers Skeletal animation, Clickteam Fusion covers Visual event system.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which DragonBones and Clickteam Fusion actually diverge.

Attributes where DragonBones and Clickteam Fusion differ
AttributeDragonBonesClickteam Fusion
Starting priceFree$99/one-time
Pricing modelopen-sourcesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsEgret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos CreatorWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web
Founded20141996

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 DragonBones

  • Skeletal animation
  • Mesh deformation
  • IK system
  • Texture atlas
  • Animation blending
  • Bone constraints
  • FFD
  • Multi-resolution

Only in Clickteam Fusion

  • Visual event system
  • Drag-and-drop interface
  • Physics engine
  • Sound and music
  • Sprite animation
  • Extensions support
  • Multi-core support
  • Fast compiler

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 Clickteam Fusion
  • Cross-engine animation library for indie game developmentnot Clickteam Fusion
  • Animation creation with LoongBones editornot Clickteam Fusion

Clickteam Fusion

  • 2D game developmentnot DragonBones
  • Professional gamesnot DragonBones
  • Cross-platform developmentnot 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)

Clickteam Fusion

  • Listed on Steam, the vendor's own storefront, at $99.99 for a perpetual licence of Clickteam Fusion 2.5, published directly by Clickteam

Pricing, plan by plan

DragonBones

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the DragonBones review.

Clickteam Fusion

$99/one-time
  • Standard$99/one-time
    • Visual event editor
    • Desktop export
    • HTML5 export
  • Premium$199/one-time
    • All Standard features
    • Android export
    • iOS export

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.
DragonBones review

Choose Clickteam Fusion if

  • You need visual event system.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want drag-and-drop interface.
Clickteam Fusion review

Questions people ask

Is DragonBones or Clickteam Fusion better?
Neither clearly leads. DragonBones starts at Free and Clickteam Fusion at $99/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, DragonBones or Clickteam Fusion?
DragonBones has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for DragonBones and $99/one-time for Clickteam Fusion.
Does DragonBones or Clickteam Fusion run on more platforms?
DragonBones runs on Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator. Clickteam Fusion runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
Can I use DragonBones for free?
Yes. DragonBones has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Clickteam Fusion starts at $99/one-time.
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 Clickteam Fusion is typically brought in for.
What can DragonBones do that Clickteam Fusion cannot?
DragonBones covers Skeletal animation, Mesh deformation, IK system, Texture atlas. Clickteam Fusion covers Visual event system, Drag-and-drop interface, Physics engine, Sound and music. Both handle Local deployment, Windows support, Macos support.
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