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Game Development · head to head

Stencyl vs DragonBones

Stencyl logo

Stencyl

Game Development

Create games with visual programming

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
D

DragonBones

Game Development

Free 2D skeletal animation solution

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Stencyl the free Starter tier can publish to the web only; DragonBones javaScript/TypeScript runtime limited to specific game engines (Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator)
  • They diverge on capability: Stencyl covers Visual block programming, DragonBones covers Skeletal animation.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Stencyl and DragonBones actually diverge.

Attributes where Stencyl and DragonBones differ
AttributeStencylDragonBones
Pricing modelfreeopen-source
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, FlashEgret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator
Founded20112014

Identical on both: starting price (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 Stencyl

  • Visual block programming
  • Drag-and-drop interface
  • Physics engine
  • Sprite animation
  • Sound and music
  • Tilemap editor
  • Actor system
  • Haxe support

Only in DragonBones

  • Skeletal animation
  • Mesh deformation
  • IK system
  • Texture atlas
  • Animation blending
  • Bone constraints
  • FFD
  • Multi-resolution

Both cover

  • Local deployment
  • Windows support
  • Macos 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 DragonBones
  • Publishing the same project to web, desktop and mobilenot DragonBones

DragonBones

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

DragonBones

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

Pricing, plan by plan

Stencyl

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full editor access
    • Desktop export
    • Mobile export

DragonBones

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the DragonBones review.

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.
Stencyl 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 Stencyl or DragonBones better?
Neither clearly leads. Stencyl 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, Stencyl or DragonBones?
Stencyl starts at Free and DragonBones at Free.
Does Stencyl or DragonBones run on more platforms?
Stencyl runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Flash. DragonBones runs on Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator.
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 DragonBones is typically brought in for.
What can Stencyl do that DragonBones cannot?
Stencyl covers Visual block programming, Drag-and-drop interface, Physics engine, Sprite animation. DragonBones covers Skeletal animation, Mesh deformation, IK system, Texture atlas. Both handle Local deployment, Windows support, Macos support.
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