Software · head to head
Lumberyard vs Defold
Lumberyard
Software
Build AAA games with a free, cross-platform engine
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Lumberyard aws.amazon.com/lumberyard now redirects to the AWS homepage; Amazon Lumberyard is no longer offered as an AWS product; 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: Lumberyard covers CryEngine foundation, Defold covers Physics engine.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Lumberyard and Defold actually diverge.
| Attribute | Lumberyard | Defold |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux | Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web |
| Founded | 2006 | 2005 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (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 Lumberyard
- CryEngine foundation
- Flowgraph editor
- Advanced graphics
- Physics simulation
- AWS GameLift integration
- Multiplayer support
- VR capabilities
- AWS services
Only in Defold
- Physics engine
- Sprite system
- Particle effects
- Sound management
- Collection editor
- Mobile optimization
- Lightweight
- Visual Studio Code
Both cover
- Lua scripting
- Local deployment
- Windows support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Lumberyard
- Building 3D games with an AWS-integrated enginenot Defold
- Cloud-connected multiplayer game backendsnot Defold
- Twitch integration for streamed gameplay featuresnot Defold
Defold
- Building 2D games for mobile, desktop, web and console from a single projectnot Lumberyard
- Shipping small-footprint HTML5 gamesnot Lumberyard
- Teams wanting a free engine with no revenue share on gamesnot Lumberyard
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Lumberyard
- aws.amazon.com/lumberyard now redirects to the AWS homepage; Amazon Lumberyard is no longer offered as an AWS product
- The engine's successor is the Open 3D Engine, governed by the Open 3D Foundation rather than AWS, so migration means moving to a differently governed project
- No Lumberyard-branded documentation, download or support commitment remains at the original AWS product URL
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
Lumberyard
Free- FreeFree
- Full engine source
- AWS integration
- Lua scripting
Defold
Free- FreeFree
- Full editor
- Lua scripting
- Physics engine
Which should you pick?
Choose Lumberyard if
- You need cryengine foundation.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux.
- You also want flowgraph editor.
Choose Defold if
- You need physics engine.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
- You also want sprite system.
Questions people ask
- Is Lumberyard or Defold better?
- Neither clearly leads. Lumberyard 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, Lumberyard or Defold?
- Lumberyard starts at Free and Defold at Free.
- Does Lumberyard or Defold run on more platforms?
- Lumberyard runs on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux. Defold runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
- Can I use Lumberyard for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Lumberyard best used for?
- Lumberyard is most often used for building 3d games with an aws-integrated engine, cloud-connected multiplayer game backends, twitch integration for streamed gameplay features. Of those, building 3d games with an aws-integrated engine and cloud-connected multiplayer game backends are not what Defold is typically brought in for.
- What can Lumberyard do that Defold cannot?
- Lumberyard covers CryEngine foundation, Flowgraph editor, Advanced graphics, Physics simulation. Defold covers Physics engine, Sprite system, Particle effects, Sound management. Both handle Lua scripting, Local deployment, Windows support.