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Game Development · head to head

Defold vs MonoGame

Defold logo

Defold

Game Development

The game engine for the creators of King

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
MonoGame logo

MonoGame

Game Development

Create games using C# and MonoGame

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Defold the Defold License requires you to include the Defold license and copyright notice in any work you create with the engine; MonoGame console targets for PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch require platform authorisation rather than being openly available
  • They diverge on capability: Defold covers Lua scripting, MonoGame covers C# language support.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Defold and MonoGame actually diverge.

Attributes where Defold and MonoGame differ
AttributeDefoldMonoGame
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, WebWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox
Founded20052009

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Game Development).

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 Defold

  • Lua scripting
  • Physics engine
  • Particle effects
  • Sound management
  • Collection editor
  • Mobile optimization
  • Lightweight
  • Visual Studio Code

Only in MonoGame

  • C# language support
  • Graphics rendering
  • Audio engine
  • Physics integration
  • Content pipeline
  • Input handling
  • 2D and 3D support
  • Visual Studio

Both cover

  • Sprite system
  • Local deployment
  • Mobile deployment
  • Windows support
  • Macos support
  • Linux support
  • Ios support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Defold

  • Building 2D games for mobile, desktop, web and console from a single projectnot MonoGame
  • Shipping small-footprint HTML5 gamesnot MonoGame
  • Teams wanting a free engine with no revenue share on gamesnot MonoGame

MonoGame

  • Cross-platform game development in C# and .NETnot Defold
  • Shipping to Windows, macOS and Linux from one codebasenot Defold
  • Mobile releases on Android, iOS and iPadOSnot Defold
  • Commercial indie titles with no royalty or runtime feenot Defold

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

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

MonoGame

  • Console targets for PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch require platform authorisation rather than being openly available
  • A code-first framework in C# with no bundled editor or visual scene tooling

Pricing, plan by plan

Defold

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full editor
    • Lua scripting
    • Physics engine

MonoGame

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full framework
    • C# support
    • Cross-platform

Which should you pick?

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 physics engine.
Defold review

Choose MonoGame if

  • You need c# language support.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox.
  • You also want graphics rendering.
MonoGame review

Questions people ask

Is Defold or MonoGame better?
Neither clearly leads. Defold starts at Free and MonoGame at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Defold or MonoGame?
Defold starts at Free and MonoGame at Free.
Does Defold or MonoGame run on more platforms?
Defold runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web. MonoGame runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox.
Can I use Defold for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Defold best used for?
Defold is most often used for building 2d games for mobile, desktop, web and console from a single project, shipping small-footprint html5 games, teams wanting a free engine with no revenue share on games. Of those, building 2d games for mobile, desktop, web and console from a single project and shipping small-footprint html5 games are not what MonoGame is typically brought in for.
What can Defold do that MonoGame cannot?
Defold covers Lua scripting, Physics engine, Particle effects, Sound management. MonoGame covers C# language support, Graphics rendering, Audio engine, Physics integration. Both handle Sprite system, Local deployment, Mobile deployment, Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Defold: How much does Defold cost?

Defold is completely free with no up-front cost, no licensing cost, no royalties, and no runtime fees. The game engine is free forever, supported by the Defold Foundation with source code available under a developer-friendly license.

Source
MonoGame: How much does MonoGame cost?

MonoGame is completely free with no subscription model, royalty payments, licensing costs, or runtime fees.

Source
Defold: Is Defold free to use commercially?

Yes, Defold is free forever with no royalties or revenue sharing required. Developers can create and monetize commercial games without any fees to Defold.

Source
MonoGame: What funding model does MonoGame use?

MonoGame Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization supported by voluntary community donations rather than user fees.

Source
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