Software · head to head
GDevelop vs Defold
The short version
- Each has a real cost: GDevelop the free tier allows 3 cloud projects and one desktop or Android build per day; Defold the Defold License requires you to include the Defold license and copyright notice in any work you create with the engine
- They diverge on capability: GDevelop covers Visual event editor, Defold covers Lua scripting.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which GDevelop and Defold actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (free), free tier (Yes), platforms (Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web), 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 GDevelop
- Visual event editor
- Drag-and-drop interface
- Sprite editor
- Sound editor
- Scene editor
- Extensions support
- Firebase
- Discord
Only in Defold
- Lua scripting
- Sprite system
- Sound management
- Collection editor
- Mobile optimization
- Lightweight
- Visual Studio Code
- Bob build system
Both cover
- Physics engine
- Particle effects
- GitHub
- Local deployment
- Web deployment
- Mobile deployment
- Windows support
- Macos support
- Linux support
- Ios support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
GDevelop
- Building 2D games with visual event logic rather than codenot Defold
- Exporting one project to web, desktop, Android and iOSnot Defold
Defold
- Building 2D games for mobile, desktop, web and console from a single projectnot GDevelop
- Shipping small-footprint HTML5 gamesnot GDevelop
- Teams wanting a free engine with no revenue share on gamesnot GDevelop
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
GDevelop
- The free tier allows 3 cloud projects and one desktop or Android build per day
- Free accounts get one leaderboard per game
- Publishing to the iOS App Store requires the Gold plan, which caps those exports at 15 a month
- AI credits are metered per tier, from 40 a month on free to 3,000 a week on Pro
Defold
- The Defold License requires you to include the Defold license and copyright notice in any work you create with the engine
- The licence forbids commercialising original or modified versions of the Defold editor or engine itself
- Significant changes made to the Defold source must be documented under the licence terms
Pricing, plan by plan
GDevelop
Free- FreeFree
- Full editor
- Cross-platform export
- Asset library
Defold
Free- FreeFree
- Full editor
- Lua scripting
- Physics engine
Which should you pick?
Choose GDevelop if
- You need visual event editor.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
- You also want drag-and-drop interface.
Choose Defold if
- You need lua scripting.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
- You also want sprite system.
Questions people ask
- Is GDevelop or Defold better?
- Neither clearly leads. GDevelop starts at Free and Defold at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, GDevelop or Defold?
- GDevelop starts at Free and Defold at Free.
- Does GDevelop or Defold run on more platforms?
- Both run on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
- Can I use GDevelop for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is GDevelop best used for?
- GDevelop is most often used for building 2d games with visual event logic rather than code, exporting one project to web, desktop, android and ios. Of those, building 2d games with visual event logic rather than code and exporting one project to web, desktop, android and ios are not what Defold is typically brought in for.
- What can GDevelop do that Defold cannot?
- GDevelop covers Visual event editor, Drag-and-drop interface, Sprite editor, Sound editor. Defold covers Lua scripting, Sprite system, Sound management, Collection editor. Both handle Physics engine, Particle effects, GitHub, Local deployment.