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Game Development · head to head

Construct 3 vs DragonBones

Construct 3 logo

Construct 3

Game Development

Create games without coding. Powered by the Scirra engine.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
DragonBones logo

DragonBones

Game Development

Free 2D skeletal animation solution

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Construct 3 the free version caps projects at 50 events, or 25 when used without an account; DragonBones javaScript/TypeScript runtime limited to specific game engines (Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator)
  • They diverge on capability: Construct 3 covers Visual event system, DragonBones covers Skeletal animation.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Construct 3 and DragonBones actually diverge.

Attributes where Construct 3 and DragonBones differ
AttributeConstruct 3DragonBones
Pricing modelfreemiumopen-source
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, WebEgret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator
Founded20072014

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Game Development).

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 Construct 3

  • Visual event system
  • Drag-and-drop editor
  • Physics engine
  • Sprite editor
  • Particle effects
  • Sound effects
  • Web-based
  • HTML5 support

Only in DragonBones

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

Both cover

  • Local deployment
  • Windows support
  • Macos support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Construct 3

  • Building 2D browser games without writing codenot DragonBones
  • Publishing HTML5 games to the web, desktop and mobile stores from one projectnot DragonBones

DragonBones

  • 2D skeletal animation for JavaScript and TypeScript game enginesnot Construct 3
  • Cross-engine animation library for indie game developmentnot Construct 3
  • Animation creation with LoongBones editornot Construct 3

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Construct 3

  • The free version caps projects at 50 events, or 25 when used without an account
  • Free projects are limited to 2 layers, 2 special effects, 1 timeline animation of up to 5 seconds and 1 web font
  • The free version can only publish to HTML5 and the Construct Arcade, so desktop, Android, iOS and Facebook Instant Games all need a paid plan
  • Licences are per seat and annual, at $129.99 for Personal, $168.99 for Startup Business and $468.99 for Business

DragonBones

  • JavaScript/TypeScript runtime limited to specific game engines (Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator)

Pricing, plan by plan

Construct 3

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Web-based editor
    • HTML5 export
    • Asset library
  • Personal$99/year
    • All Free features
    • Offline editor
    • Advanced export

DragonBones

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the DragonBones review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Construct 3 if

  • You need visual event system.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want drag-and-drop editor.
Construct 3 review

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

Questions people ask

Is Construct 3 or DragonBones better?
Neither clearly leads. Construct 3 starts at Free and DragonBones at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Construct 3 or DragonBones?
Construct 3 starts at Free and DragonBones at Free.
Does Construct 3 or DragonBones run on more platforms?
Construct 3 runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web. DragonBones runs on Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator.
Can I use Construct 3 for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Construct 3 best used for?
Construct 3 is most often used for building 2d browser games without writing code, publishing html5 games to the web, desktop and mobile stores from one project. Of those, building 2d browser games without writing code and publishing html5 games to the web, desktop and mobile stores from one project are not what DragonBones is typically brought in for.
What can Construct 3 do that DragonBones cannot?
Construct 3 covers Visual event system, Drag-and-drop editor, Physics engine, Sprite editor. DragonBones covers Skeletal animation, Mesh deformation, IK system, Texture atlas. Both handle Local deployment, Windows support, Macos support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

DragonBones: Where is DragonBones pricing information?

Pricing and licensing details are not available on the official DragonBones website. Consult GitHub or contact the project maintainers for more information.

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