Softwr

Software · head to head

Stride vs DragonBones

S

Stride

Software

Open-source 3D game engine with editor

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
D

DragonBones

Software

Free 2D skeletal animation solution

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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; DragonBones javaScript/TypeScript runtime limited to specific game engines (Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator)
  • They diverge on capability: Stride covers 3D graphics rendering, DragonBones covers Mesh deformation.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Stride and DragonBones actually diverge.

Attributes where Stride and DragonBones differ
AttributeStrideDragonBones
Pricing modelfreeopen-source
PlatformsWindows, Linux, Playstation, XboxEgret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator
Founded20152014

Identical on both: starting price (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
  • Particle effects
  • C# scripting

Only in DragonBones

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

Both cover

  • Skeletal animation
  • Local deployment
  • Windows support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Stride

  • 3D game developmentnot DragonBones
  • Console gamesnot DragonBones
  • Desktop gamesnot DragonBones

DragonBones

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

DragonBones

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

Pricing, plan by plan

Stride

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full engine
    • C# scripting
    • 3D graphics

DragonBones

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the DragonBones review.

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).
Stride review

Choose DragonBones if

  • You need mesh deformation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator.
  • You also want ik system.
DragonBones review

Questions people ask

Is Stride or DragonBones better?
Neither clearly leads. Stride 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, Stride or DragonBones?
Stride starts at Free and DragonBones at Free.
Does Stride or DragonBones run on more platforms?
Stride runs on Windows, Linux, Playstation, Xbox. DragonBones runs on Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator.
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 DragonBones is typically brought in for.
What can Stride do that DragonBones cannot?
Stride covers 3D graphics rendering, Physics engine (Bullet), Audio system, Scene editor. DragonBones covers Mesh deformation, IK system, Texture atlas, Animation blending. Both handle Skeletal animation, Local deployment, Windows support.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Stride

More on DragonBones

Keep looking

Other head to heads