Game Development · head to head
Raylib vs Defold
Raylib
Game Development
A simple and easy-to-use library for game development
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Raylib free and open source with no commercial tier, per the vendor site features section; 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: Raylib covers Graphics rendering, Defold covers Lua scripting.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Raylib 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 Raylib
- Graphics rendering
- Audio system
- Input handling
- Shapes drawing
- Sprite management
- Collision detection
- Font rendering
- Text input
Only in Defold
- Lua scripting
- Physics engine
- Sprite system
- Particle effects
- Sound management
- Collection editor
- Mobile optimization
- Lightweight
Both cover
- Local deployment
- Web deployment
- Mobile 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.
Raylib
- Simple 2D gamesnot 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 Raylib
- Shipping small-footprint HTML5 gamesnot Raylib
- Teams wanting a free engine with no revenue share on gamesnot Raylib
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Raylib
- Free and open source with no commercial tier, per the vendor site features section
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
Raylib
Free- FreeFree
- Full library
- C/C++ support
- Graphics rendering
Defold
Free- FreeFree
- Full editor
- Lua scripting
- Physics engine
Which should you pick?
Choose Raylib if
- You need graphics rendering.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Android, Web.
- You also want audio system.
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 Raylib or Defold better?
- Neither clearly leads. Raylib 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, Raylib or Defold?
- Raylib starts at Free and Defold at Free.
- Does Raylib or Defold run on more platforms?
- Raylib runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Android, Web. Defold runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
- Can I use Raylib for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Raylib best used for?
- Raylib is most often used for simple 2d games, game prototyping, educational games, learning game development. Of those, simple 2d games and game prototyping are not what Defold is typically brought in for.
- What can Raylib do that Defold cannot?
- Raylib covers Graphics rendering, Audio system, Input handling, Shapes drawing. Defold covers Lua scripting, Physics engine, Sprite system, Particle effects. Both handle Local deployment, Web deployment, Mobile deployment, Windows support.