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DragonBones vs Steam

D

DragonBones

Software

Free 2D skeletal animation solution

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
S

Steam

Software

The ultimate destination for playing, discussing, and creating games

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only DragonBones has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: DragonBones javaScript/TypeScript runtime limited to specific game engines (Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator); Steam publishing a game requires developers to pay a non-refundable $100 Steam Direct fee per title, recouped only once the product earns $1,000 in adjusted gross revenue

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which DragonBones and Steam actually diverge.

Attributes where DragonBones and Steam differ
AttributeDragonBonesSteam
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelopen-sourcesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsEgret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos CreatorWeb
Founded2014Unknown

Identical on both: 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 Steam

Nothing recorded that DragonBones does not also cover.

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 Steam
  • Cross-engine animation library for indie game developmentnot Steam
  • Animation creation with LoongBones editornot Steam

Steam

No use cases recorded yet. See the Steam review.

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)

Steam

  • Publishing a game requires developers to pay a non-refundable $100 Steam Direct fee per title, recouped only once the product earns $1,000 in adjusted gross revenue
  • Core purchases and library are tied to a single Steam account with no vendor-stated official resale or transfer mechanism for owned games

Pricing, plan by plan

DragonBones

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the DragonBones review.

Steam

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Steam review.

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 Steam if

Nothing in the data separates Steam from DragonBones on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Steam review

Questions people ask

Is DragonBones or Steam better?
Neither clearly leads. DragonBones starts at Free and Steam at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, DragonBones or Steam?
DragonBones has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for DragonBones and On request for Steam.
Does DragonBones or Steam run on more platforms?
DragonBones runs on Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator. Steam runs on Web.
Can I use DragonBones for free?
Yes. DragonBones has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Steam starts at On request.
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 Steam is typically brought in for.
What can DragonBones do that Steam cannot?
DragonBones covers Skeletal animation, Mesh deformation, IK system, Texture atlas.
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