Software · head to head
Stencyl vs Defold
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Stencyl the free Starter tier can publish to the web only; 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: Stencyl covers Visual block programming, Defold covers Lua scripting.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Stencyl and Defold actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (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 Stencyl
- Visual block programming
- Drag-and-drop interface
- Sprite animation
- Sound and music
- Tilemap editor
- Actor system
- Haxe support
- Dropbox
Only in Defold
- Lua scripting
- Sprite system
- Particle effects
- Sound management
- Collection editor
- Mobile optimization
- Lightweight
- Bob build system
Both cover
- Physics engine
- GitHub
- Visual Studio Code
- Local deployment
- Mobile deployment
- Web deployment
- Windows support
- Macos support
- Linux support
- Ios support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Stencyl
- Building 2D games with visual block based logicnot Defold
- Publishing the same project to web, desktop and mobilenot Defold
Defold
- Building 2D games for mobile, desktop, web and console from a single projectnot Stencyl
- Shipping small-footprint HTML5 gamesnot Stencyl
- Teams wanting a free engine with no revenue share on gamesnot Stencyl
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Stencyl
- The free Starter tier can publish to the web only
- Desktop publishing requires the Indie plan at $99 a year
- iOS and Android publishing require the Studio plan at $199 a year
- Licences are annual, so continuing to publish means continuing to pay
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
Stencyl
Free- FreeFree
- Full editor access
- Desktop export
- Mobile export
Defold
Free- FreeFree
- Full editor
- Lua scripting
- Physics engine
Which should you pick?
Choose Stencyl if
- You need visual block programming.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Flash.
- You also want drag-and-drop interface.
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 sprite system.
Questions people ask
- Is Stencyl or Defold better?
- Neither clearly leads. Stencyl 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, Stencyl or Defold?
- Stencyl starts at Free and Defold at Free.
- Does Stencyl or Defold run on more platforms?
- Stencyl runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Flash. Defold runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
- Can I use Stencyl for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Stencyl best used for?
- Stencyl is most often used for building 2d games with visual block based logic, publishing the same project to web, desktop and mobile. Of those, building 2d games with visual block based logic and publishing the same project to web, desktop and mobile are not what Defold is typically brought in for.
- What can Stencyl do that Defold cannot?
- Stencyl covers Visual block programming, Drag-and-drop interface, Sprite animation, Sound and music. Defold covers Lua scripting, Sprite system, Particle effects, Sound management. Both handle Physics engine, GitHub, Visual Studio Code, Local deployment.