Software · head to head
DragonBones vs Flax Engine
The short version
- Each has a real cost: DragonBones javaScript/TypeScript runtime limited to specific game engines (Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator); Flax Engine flax charges a 4% royalty on game earnings above $250,000, assessed per calendar quarter
- They diverge on capability: DragonBones covers Mesh deformation, Flax Engine covers 3D graphics rendering.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which DragonBones and Flax Engine actually diverge.
| Attribute | DragonBones | Flax Engine |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | open-source | free |
| Platforms | Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator | Windows, Linux, Playstation, Xbox |
| Founded | 2014 | 2017 |
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
- Mesh deformation
- IK system
- Texture atlas
- Animation blending
- Bone constraints
- FFD
- Multi-resolution
- Unity
Only in Flax Engine
- 3D graphics rendering
- Visual editor
- C# scripting
- Physics engine
- Audio system
- Particle effects
- Material system
- Lighting system
Both cover
- Skeletal animation
- Local deployment
- Windows 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 Flax Engine
- Cross-engine animation library for indie game developmentnot Flax Engine
- Animation creation with LoongBones editornot Flax Engine
Flax Engine
- Building 3D games in C# and C++ with full engine source accessnot DragonBones
- Multi-platform deployment from one editornot DragonBones
- Prototyping with the bundled Flax Samples projectsnot 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)
Flax Engine
- Flax charges a 4% royalty on game earnings above $250,000, assessed per calendar quarter
- Free use is granted for non-commercial or educational usage; commercial releases fall under the royalty
- Users must accept the Flax Engine End-User License Agreement before using the engine or its tools, so it is not an OSI open source licence despite the source being on GitHub
- Non-game uses such as in-house tools or SaaS products need a custom licence negotiated with the vendor, and no rate card is published for per-seat or flat-fee options
Pricing, plan by plan
DragonBones
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the DragonBones review.
Flax Engine
Free- FreeFree
- Full engine
- Visual editor
- C# scripting
Which should you pick?
Choose DragonBones if
- You need mesh deformation.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator.
- You also want ik system.
Choose Flax Engine if
- You need 3d graphics rendering.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Linux, Playstation, Xbox.
- You also want visual editor.
Questions people ask
- Is DragonBones or Flax Engine better?
- Neither clearly leads. DragonBones starts at Free and Flax Engine at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, DragonBones or Flax Engine?
- DragonBones starts at Free and Flax Engine at Free.
- Does DragonBones or Flax Engine run on more platforms?
- DragonBones runs on Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator. Flax Engine runs on Windows, Linux, Playstation, Xbox.
- 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 Flax Engine is typically brought in for.
- What can DragonBones do that Flax Engine cannot?
- DragonBones covers Mesh deformation, IK system, Texture atlas, Animation blending. Flax Engine covers 3D graphics rendering, Visual editor, C# scripting, Physics engine. Both handle Skeletal animation, Local deployment, Windows support.