Software · head to head
Stride vs Defold
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Stride free and open source under MIT license, editor and runtime fully open source with no commercial 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: Stride covers 3D graphics rendering, Defold covers Lua scripting.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Stride 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 Stride
- 3D graphics rendering
- Physics engine (Bullet)
- Audio system
- Scene editor
- Material system
- Lighting and shadows
- Skeletal animation
- C# scripting
Only in Defold
- Lua scripting
- Physics engine
- Sprite system
- Sound management
- Collection editor
- Mobile optimization
- Lightweight
- Visual Studio Code
Both cover
- Particle effects
- Local deployment
- Windows support
- Linux support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Stride
- 3D game developmentnot Defold
- Console gamesnot Defold
- Desktop gamesnot Defold
Defold
- Building 2D games for mobile, desktop, web and console from a single projectnot Stride
- Shipping small-footprint HTML5 gamesnot Stride
- Teams wanting a free engine with no revenue share on gamesnot Stride
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Stride
- Free and open source under MIT license, editor and runtime fully open source with no commercial 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
Stride
Free- FreeFree
- Full engine
- C# scripting
- 3D graphics
Defold
Free- FreeFree
- Full editor
- Lua scripting
- Physics engine
Which should you pick?
Choose Stride if
- You need 3d graphics rendering.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Linux, Playstation, Xbox.
- You also want physics engine (bullet).
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 Stride or Defold better?
- Neither clearly leads. Stride 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, Stride or Defold?
- Stride starts at Free and Defold at Free.
- Does Stride or Defold run on more platforms?
- Stride runs on Windows, Linux, Playstation, Xbox. Defold runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
- Can I use Stride for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Stride best used for?
- Stride is most often used for 3d game development, console games, desktop games. Of those, 3d game development and console games are not what Defold is typically brought in for.
- What can Stride do that Defold cannot?
- Stride covers 3D graphics rendering, Physics engine (Bullet), Audio system, Scene editor. Defold covers Lua scripting, Physics engine, Sprite system, Sound management. Both handle Particle effects, Local deployment, Windows support, Linux support.