Game Development · head to head
DragonBones vs Gamesparks
The short version
- Each has a real cost: DragonBones javaScript/TypeScript runtime limited to specific game engines (Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator); Gamesparks aWS states "Starting October 1, 2022, access to the GameSparks console will no longer be available" and that all existing games and data needed to be migrated off the platform before that date
- They diverge on capability: DragonBones covers Skeletal animation, Gamesparks covers Real-time features.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which DragonBones and Gamesparks actually diverge.
| Attribute | DragonBones | Gamesparks |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | open-source | usage-based |
| Platforms | Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator | Cross-platform |
| Founded | 2014 | 2006 |
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 Gamesparks
- Real-time features
- Multiplayer support
- User authentication
- Data storage
- Matchmaking
- WebSocket support
- Cloud integration
- Analytics
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 Gamesparks
- Cross-engine animation library for indie game developmentnot Gamesparks
- Animation creation with LoongBones editornot Gamesparks
Gamesparks
- Multiplayer gamesnot DragonBones
- Real-time gamesnot DragonBones
- Cloud gamingnot DragonBones
- Game analyticsnot 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)
Gamesparks
- AWS states "Starting October 1, 2022, access to the GameSparks console will no longer be available" and that all existing games and data needed to be migrated off the platform before that date
Pricing, plan by plan
DragonBones
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the DragonBones review.
Gamesparks
Free- Free TierFree
- 1M API requests
- 1M CloudWatch logs
- Free for first year
- Pay-as-you-go$0.01/request
- Unlimited API requests
- Real-time multiplayer
- CloudWatch 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 Gamesparks if
- You need real-time features.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Cross-platform.
- You also want multiplayer support.
Questions people ask
- Is DragonBones or Gamesparks better?
- Neither clearly leads. DragonBones starts at Free and Gamesparks at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, DragonBones or Gamesparks?
- DragonBones starts at Free and Gamesparks at Free.
- Does DragonBones or Gamesparks run on more platforms?
- DragonBones runs on Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator. Gamesparks runs on Cross-platform.
- 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 Gamesparks is typically brought in for.
- What can DragonBones do that Gamesparks cannot?
- DragonBones covers Skeletal animation, Mesh deformation, IK system, Texture atlas. Gamesparks covers Real-time features, Multiplayer support, User authentication, Data storage.