Game Development · head to head
DragonBones vs Fyrox
The short version
- Each has a real cost: DragonBones javaScript/TypeScript runtime limited to specific game engines (Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator); Fyrox licensed under MIT with no commercial or paid tier; the engine is entirely free and open source
- They diverge on capability: DragonBones covers Skeletal animation, Fyrox covers Scene editor.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which DragonBones and Fyrox actually diverge.
| Attribute | DragonBones | Fyrox |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | open-source | free |
| Platforms | Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator | Windows, Macos, Linux, Webgl |
| Founded | 2014 | 2019 |
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 DragonBones
- Skeletal animation
- Mesh deformation
- IK system
- Texture atlas
- Animation blending
- Bone constraints
- FFD
- Multi-resolution
Only in Fyrox
- Scene editor
- 3D/2D rendering
- Physics (Rapier)
- Animation system
- Sound engine
- UI framework
- Navmesh
- Particle 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 Fyrox
- Cross-engine animation library for indie game developmentnot Fyrox
- Animation creation with LoongBones editornot Fyrox
Fyrox
- 3D game developmentnot DragonBones
- 2D gamesnot DragonBones
- Simulationnot DragonBones
- Prototypingnot 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)
Fyrox
- Licensed under MIT with no commercial or paid tier; the engine is entirely free and open source
Pricing, plan by plan
DragonBones
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the DragonBones review.
Fyrox
Free- Open SourceFree
- Full engine access
- Scene editor
- Physics integration
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 Fyrox if
- You need scene editor.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Webgl.
- You also want 3d/2d rendering.
Questions people ask
- Is DragonBones or Fyrox better?
- Neither clearly leads. DragonBones starts at Free and Fyrox at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, DragonBones or Fyrox?
- DragonBones starts at Free and Fyrox at Free.
- Does DragonBones or Fyrox run on more platforms?
- DragonBones runs on Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator. Fyrox 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 Fyrox is typically brought in for.
- What can DragonBones do that Fyrox cannot?
- DragonBones covers Skeletal animation, Mesh deformation, IK system, Texture atlas. Fyrox covers Scene editor, 3D/2D rendering, Physics (Rapier), Animation system. Both handle Local deployment, Windows support, Macos support.