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Software · head to head

DragonBones vs PlayCanvas

D

DragonBones

Software

Free 2D skeletal animation solution

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
PlayCanvas logo

PlayCanvas

Software

Cloud-based WebGL game development platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: DragonBones javaScript/TypeScript runtime limited to specific game engines (Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator); PlayCanvas private projects require a paid plan; the Free plan only allows public projects
  • They diverge on capability: DragonBones covers Skeletal animation, PlayCanvas covers Cloud-based editor.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which DragonBones and PlayCanvas actually diverge.

Attributes where DragonBones and PlayCanvas differ
AttributeDragonBonesPlayCanvas
Pricing modelopen-sourcefreemium
PlatformsEgret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos CreatorWeb, Mobile
Founded20142013

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

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

Only in PlayCanvas

  • Cloud-based editor
  • Real-time collaboration
  • WebGL rendering
  • Physics engine
  • Visual scripting
  • Asset library
  • Version control
  • Instant deployment

Both cover

  • JavaScript language support
  • TypeScript language 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 PlayCanvas
  • Cross-engine animation library for indie game developmentnot PlayCanvas
  • Animation creation with LoongBones editornot PlayCanvas

PlayCanvas

  • Building WebGL games and interactive 3D that run in a browsernot DragonBones
  • Browser based collaborative 3D editing across a teamnot DragonBones
  • Web AR and VR experiences, product configurators and playable adsnot 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)

PlayCanvas

  • Private projects require a paid plan; the Free plan only allows public projects
  • The Free plan is capped at 1GB of storage, Personal at 10GB and Organization at 50GB
  • Personal costs $15 per month and Organization costs $50 per seat per month
  • Team management is only available on the Organization plan
  • Private projects become locked and inaccessible if the subscription is cancelled, unless they are made public
  • There is no formal educational discount
  • There is no self serve trial of the Personal or Organization plan; an upgrade code must be requested from sales

Pricing, plan by plan

DragonBones

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the DragonBones review.

PlayCanvas

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Cloud editor
    • WebGL export
    • Community projects
  • Pro$19/month
    • Private projects
    • Advanced features
    • Priority support

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 PlayCanvas if

  • You need cloud-based editor.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile.
  • You also want real-time collaboration.
PlayCanvas review

Questions people ask

Is DragonBones or PlayCanvas better?
Neither clearly leads. DragonBones starts at Free and PlayCanvas at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, DragonBones or PlayCanvas?
DragonBones starts at Free and PlayCanvas at Free.
Does DragonBones or PlayCanvas run on more platforms?
DragonBones runs on Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator. PlayCanvas runs on Web, Mobile.
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 PlayCanvas is typically brought in for.
What can DragonBones do that PlayCanvas cannot?
DragonBones covers Skeletal animation, Mesh deformation, IK system, Texture atlas. PlayCanvas covers Cloud-based editor, Real-time collaboration, WebGL rendering, Physics engine. Both handle JavaScript language support, TypeScript language support.
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