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Software · head to head

DragonBones vs ZBrush

D

DragonBones

Software

Free 2D skeletal animation solution

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
ZBrush logo

ZBrush

Software

Industry standard for digital sculpting

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); ZBrush subscription model required; no perpetual licence option available
  • They diverge on capability: DragonBones covers Skeletal animation, ZBrush covers Digital sculpting.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which DragonBones and ZBrush actually diverge.

Attributes where DragonBones and ZBrush differ
AttributeDragonBonesZBrush
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelopen-sourcesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsEgret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos CreatorWindows, macOS, iPadOS
Founded20141986

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 ZBrush

  • Digital sculpting
  • Dynamesh
  • ZRemesher
  • PolyPaint
  • Live Boolean
  • Sculptris Pro
  • UV Master
  • High polygon handling

Both cover

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

ZBrush

  • Digital character and creature sculptingnot DragonBones
  • High-polygon organic form designnot DragonBones
  • Texture painting and PolyPaint worknot DragonBones
  • Game asset creation and 3D modellingnot 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)

ZBrush

  • Subscription model required; no perpetual licence option available
  • iPad version requires separate subscription to ZBrush for iPad

Pricing, plan by plan

DragonBones

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the DragonBones review.

ZBrush

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the ZBrush 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 ZBrush if

  • You need digital sculpting.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, iPadOS.
  • You also want dynamesh.
ZBrush review

Questions people ask

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