Software · head to head
Phaser vs DragonBones
Phaser
Software
Fast, free, and fun open source framework for Canvas and WebGL
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Phaser the Phaser framework is open source but Phaser Editor is a commercial product at $12 per month; DragonBones javaScript/TypeScript runtime limited to specific game engines (Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator)
- They diverge on capability: Phaser covers Canvas and WebGL rendering, DragonBones covers Skeletal animation.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Phaser and DragonBones actually diverge.
| Attribute | Phaser | DragonBones |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | free | open-source |
| Platforms | Web, Ios, Android | Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator |
| Founded | 2013 | 2014 |
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 Phaser
- Canvas and WebGL rendering
- Physics engine (Arcade)
- Input handling
- Animation system
- Audio support
- Particle effects
- Tilemaps
- Event system
Only in DragonBones
- Skeletal animation
- Mesh deformation
- IK system
- Texture atlas
- Animation blending
- Bone constraints
- FFD
- Multi-resolution
Both cover
- JavaScript language support
- TypeScript language support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Phaser
- Building 2D HTML5 games that run in the browsernot DragonBones
- Rapid browser game prototyping with a code editor, tilemap and atlas toolsnot DragonBones
- Publishing web games with one click hostingnot DragonBones
DragonBones
- 2D skeletal animation for JavaScript and TypeScript game enginesnot Phaser
- Cross-engine animation library for indie game developmentnot Phaser
- Animation creation with LoongBones editornot Phaser
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Phaser
- The Phaser framework is open source but Phaser Editor is a commercial product at $12 per month
- Phaser Editor stops working when the licence expires
- No free trial of Phaser Editor is offered
- AI tools in the free Phaser suite require purchasing credits
- SSO through Google Workspace, private support and Editor source code availability are Enterprise only, which is custom priced and requires contacting sales
- No educational discounts are offered
- Subscription cancellations are not refunded pro rata
DragonBones
- JavaScript/TypeScript runtime limited to specific game engines (Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator)
Pricing, plan by plan
Phaser
Free- FreeFree
- Full source code
- Community support
- Game examples
DragonBones
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the DragonBones review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Phaser if
- You need canvas and webgl rendering.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android.
- You also want physics engine (arcade).
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.
Questions people ask
- Is Phaser or DragonBones better?
- Neither clearly leads. Phaser starts at Free and DragonBones at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Phaser or DragonBones?
- Phaser starts at Free and DragonBones at Free.
- Does Phaser or DragonBones run on more platforms?
- Phaser runs on Web, Ios, Android. DragonBones runs on Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator.
- Can I use Phaser for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Phaser best used for?
- Phaser is most often used for building 2d html5 games that run in the browser, rapid browser game prototyping with a code editor, tilemap and atlas tools, publishing web games with one click hosting. Of those, building 2d html5 games that run in the browser and rapid browser game prototyping with a code editor, tilemap and atlas tools are not what DragonBones is typically brought in for.
- What can Phaser do that DragonBones cannot?
- Phaser covers Canvas and WebGL rendering, Physics engine (Arcade), Input handling, Animation system. DragonBones covers Skeletal animation, Mesh deformation, IK system, Texture atlas. Both handle JavaScript language support, TypeScript language support.