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Software · head to head

DragonBones vs Tiled

D

DragonBones

Software

Free 2D skeletal animation solution

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Tiled logo

Tiled

Software

Flexible level editor for 2D games

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); Tiled no official iOS or Android builds; desktop-only distribution
  • They diverge on capability: DragonBones covers Skeletal animation, Tiled covers Tile layers.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which DragonBones and Tiled actually diverge.

Attributes where DragonBones and Tiled differ
AttributeDragonBonesTiled
Pricing modelopen-sourceUnknown
PlatformsEgret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos CreatorWindows, macOS, Linux
Founded20142008

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 Tiled

  • Tile layers
  • Object layers
  • Terrain tool
  • Auto-mapping
  • Wang tiles
  • Custom properties
  • Scripting (JavaScript)
  • Multiple export formats

Both cover

  • Unity
  • Phaser
  • Local deployment
  • Windows support
  • Macos support
  • JavaScript 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 Tiled
  • Cross-engine animation library for indie game developmentnot Tiled
  • Animation creation with LoongBones editornot Tiled

Tiled

  • Tile-based maps for RPGs, platformers, and Breakout-style gamesnot DragonBones
  • Orthogonal, isometric, and hexagonal map layoutsnot DragonBones
  • Object layers (rectangles, ellipses, polygons, points) for collision boxes, spawn points, and triggersnot DragonBones
  • Large 'infinite' maps and multi-map world projectsnot DragonBones
  • Export to game engines via built-in/scripted exporters using the open TMX formatnot 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)

Tiled

  • No official iOS or Android builds; desktop-only distribution
  • No official browser-based version of the editor itself, despite exporting to many engine formats
  • Building from source requires a Qt 6.2+ / C++ / Qbs toolchain
  • Multi-license codebase (GPL 2.0 application plus Apache 2.0 and BSD components), so redistributors must track which license applies per file

Pricing, plan by plan

DragonBones

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the DragonBones review.

Tiled

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Tiled 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 Tiled if

  • You need tile layers.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want object layers.
Tiled review

Questions people ask

Is DragonBones or Tiled better?
Neither clearly leads. DragonBones starts at Free and Tiled at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, DragonBones or Tiled?
DragonBones starts at Free and Tiled at Free.
Does DragonBones or Tiled run on more platforms?
DragonBones runs on Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator. Tiled runs on Windows, macOS, Linux.
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 Tiled is typically brought in for.
What can DragonBones do that Tiled cannot?
DragonBones covers Skeletal animation, Mesh deformation, IK system, Texture atlas. Tiled covers Tile layers, Object layers, Terrain tool, Auto-mapping. Both handle Unity, Phaser, Local deployment, Windows support.
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