Construct 3 vs Defold

Construct 38.8Visit DDefold8.7Visit

Higher score Construct 3 #4 in Game Engine Software 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Construct 3

vs

D Defold #5 in Game Engine Software 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Defold

• Construct 3 fits best

  Browser-first 2D and multiplayer projects

• Defold fits best

  Free developers targeting many platforms

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Side by side

Feature	Construct 3 8.8/10 Visit ↗	DDefold 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.8	8.7
Ranking	#4 in Game Engine Software	#5 in Game Engine Software
Best for	Browser-first 2D and multiplayer projects	Free developers targeting many platforms
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	—	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile	Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support	Email, Docs	Email, Live chat, Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Construct 3 3/4 · Defold 3/4
Visual scripting	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Multiplayer tools	✓	✓
Mobile export	✓	✓
Console export	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Specs
Source code model	Not checked yet	Source_available
Target platforms	web, Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, HTML5, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch
Scripting languages	JavaScript, TypeScript	Lua, Teal, C, C++, C#, Objective-C, Java, JavaScript
Our review
Pros	Event sheets support visual game logic with conditions and actions WebRTC tools support real-time online multiplayer creation Exports target web, mobile, desktop, and Xbox UWP	Free engine with desktop, mobile, web, and console deployment Integrated editors, debugger, profiler, hot reload, and live updates Lua scripting with networking and native extension support
Cons	Free Edition limits event, layer, and effects counts Multiplayer creation is unavailable in Free Edition The engine is closed source and has no AI features	No visual scripting support Console deployment requires approval from the platform holder Multiplayer features rely on the Photon Fusion extension
Our verdict	Construct 3 is a browser-based 2D game engine from Scirra Ltd for indie developers, educators, hobbyists, and teams. Its event-sheet system lets creators build game logic with visual conditions and actions, while JavaScript and TypeScript… Read the review →	Defold is a free, source-available game engine for indie developers, students, and studios creating 2D and lightweight 3D games. Its workflow combines an editor, runtime, Lua-based game-logic scripting, build pipeline, and deployment… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Construct 3 — where it wins

  • Event sheets support visual game logic with conditions and actions
  • WebRTC tools support real-time online multiplayer creation
  • Exports target web, mobile, desktop, and Xbox UWP

  Where it doesn't

  • Free Edition limits event, layer, and effects counts
  • Multiplayer creation is unavailable in Free Edition
  • The engine is closed source and has no AI features

• Defold — where it wins

  • Free engine with desktop, mobile, web, and console deployment
  • Integrated editors, debugger, profiler, hot reload, and live updates
  • Lua scripting with networking and native extension support

  Where it doesn't

  • No visual scripting support
  • Console deployment requires approval from the platform holder
  • Multiplayer features rely on the Photon Fusion extension

• Construct 38.8/10 · Free plan

  A browser-first 2D engine with visual scripting, code support, and multiplayer tools.

  Visit Construct 3Full verdict →
• DDefold8.7/10 · Free plan

  A free Lua-focused engine with broad deployment, networking, and built-in development tools.

  Visit DefoldFull verdict →