Game Development · head to head
Pygame vs Defold
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Pygame licensed under GNU LGPL v2.1, free to use even in closed-source and commercial games, no paid tier; 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: Pygame covers Graphics rendering, Defold covers Lua scripting.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Pygame and Defold actually diverge.
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 Pygame
- Graphics rendering
- Audio playback
- Input handling
- Collision detection
- Font rendering
- Animation support
- Event system
- Python
Only in Defold
- Lua scripting
- Physics engine
- Particle effects
- Sound management
- Collection editor
- Mobile optimization
- Lightweight
- Visual Studio Code
Both cover
- Sprite system
- Local deployment
- Windows support
- Macos support
- Linux support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Pygame
- 2D game developmentnot Defold
- Game prototypingnot Defold
- Educational gamesnot Defold
- Learning game developmentnot Defold
Defold
- Building 2D games for mobile, desktop, web and console from a single projectnot Pygame
- Shipping small-footprint HTML5 gamesnot Pygame
- Teams wanting a free engine with no revenue share on gamesnot Pygame
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Pygame
- Licensed under GNU LGPL v2.1, free to use even in closed-source and commercial games, no paid tier
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
Pygame
Free- FreeFree
- Full library
- Python support
- Graphics rendering
Defold
Free- FreeFree
- Full editor
- Lua scripting
- Physics engine
Which should you pick?
Choose Pygame if
- You need graphics rendering.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Android.
- You also want audio playback.
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.
Questions people ask
- Is Pygame or Defold better?
- Neither clearly leads. Pygame 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, Pygame or Defold?
- Pygame starts at Free and Defold at Free.
- Does Pygame or Defold run on more platforms?
- Pygame runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Android. Defold runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
- Can I use Pygame for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Pygame best used for?
- Pygame is most often used for 2d game development, game prototyping, educational games, learning game development. Of those, 2d game development and game prototyping are not what Defold is typically brought in for.
- What can Pygame do that Defold cannot?
- Pygame covers Graphics rendering, Audio playback, Input handling, Collision detection. Defold covers Lua scripting, Physics engine, Particle effects, Sound management. Both handle Sprite system, Local deployment, Windows support, Macos support.