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PlayCanvas vs DragonBones

PlayCanvas logo

PlayCanvas

Software

Cloud-based WebGL game development platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
D

DragonBones

Software

Free 2D skeletal animation solution

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: PlayCanvas private projects require a paid plan; the Free plan only allows public projects; DragonBones javaScript/TypeScript runtime limited to specific game engines (Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator)
  • They diverge on capability: PlayCanvas covers Cloud-based editor, DragonBones covers Skeletal animation.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which PlayCanvas and DragonBones actually diverge.

Attributes where PlayCanvas and DragonBones differ
AttributePlayCanvasDragonBones
Pricing modelfreemiumopen-source
PlatformsWeb, MobileEgret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator
Founded20132014

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 PlayCanvas

  • Cloud-based editor
  • Real-time collaboration
  • WebGL rendering
  • Physics engine
  • Visual scripting
  • Asset library
  • Version control
  • Instant deployment

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.

PlayCanvas

  • Building WebGL games and interactive 3D that run in a browsernot DragonBones
  • Browser based collaborative 3D editing across a teamnot DragonBones
  • Web AR and VR experiences, product configurators and playable adsnot DragonBones

DragonBones

  • 2D skeletal animation for JavaScript and TypeScript game enginesnot PlayCanvas
  • Cross-engine animation library for indie game developmentnot PlayCanvas
  • Animation creation with LoongBones editornot PlayCanvas

Where each one falls short

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

PlayCanvas

  • Private projects require a paid plan; the Free plan only allows public projects
  • The Free plan is capped at 1GB of storage, Personal at 10GB and Organization at 50GB
  • Personal costs $15 per month and Organization costs $50 per seat per month
  • Team management is only available on the Organization plan
  • Private projects become locked and inaccessible if the subscription is cancelled, unless they are made public
  • There is no formal educational discount
  • There is no self serve trial of the Personal or Organization plan; an upgrade code must be requested from sales

DragonBones

  • JavaScript/TypeScript runtime limited to specific game engines (Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator)

Pricing, plan by plan

PlayCanvas

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Cloud editor
    • WebGL export
    • Community projects
  • Pro$19/month
    • Private projects
    • Advanced features
    • Priority support

DragonBones

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the DragonBones review.

Which should you pick?

Choose PlayCanvas if

  • You need cloud-based editor.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile.
  • You also want real-time collaboration.
PlayCanvas review

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

Questions people ask

Is PlayCanvas or DragonBones better?
Neither clearly leads. PlayCanvas 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, PlayCanvas or DragonBones?
PlayCanvas starts at Free and DragonBones at Free.
Does PlayCanvas or DragonBones run on more platforms?
PlayCanvas runs on Web, Mobile. DragonBones runs on Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator.
Can I use PlayCanvas for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is PlayCanvas best used for?
PlayCanvas is most often used for building webgl games and interactive 3d that run in a browser, browser based collaborative 3d editing across a team, web ar and vr experiences, product configurators and playable ads. Of those, building webgl games and interactive 3d that run in a browser and browser based collaborative 3d editing across a team are not what DragonBones is typically brought in for.
What can PlayCanvas do that DragonBones cannot?
PlayCanvas covers Cloud-based editor, Real-time collaboration, WebGL rendering, Physics engine. DragonBones covers Skeletal animation, Mesh deformation, IK system, Texture atlas. Both handle JavaScript language support, TypeScript language support.
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