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Head-to-head · Game Engine Software

Defold vs GDevelop

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Defold #5 in Game Engine Software 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Defold
GDevelop #9 in Game Engine Software 8.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit GDevelop

Defold leads on 0 checks, GDevelop on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreDefold · 8.7/10
  • Free planboth

Defold scores higher on our rubric for game engine software: 8.7 against 8.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #9.

On source code model, Defold gives you Source_available where GDevelop offers Open_source.

Defold is the better fit for free developers targeting many platforms. GDevelop is the better fit for no-code creators and small teams.

  • Defold fits best

    Free developers targeting many platforms

  • GDevelop fits best

    No-code creators and small teams

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Side by side

Feature Defold 8.7/10 Visit ↗ GDevelop 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.7 8.3
Ranking #5 in Game Engine Software #9 in Game Engine Software
Best for Free developers targeting many platforms No-code creators and small teams
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free plan —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support Email, Live chat, Community, Docs Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business
Features Defold 3/4 · GDevelop 3/4
Visual scripting Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Multiplayer tools ✓ ✓
Mobile export ✓ ✓
Console export ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Source code model Source_available Open_source
Target platforms Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, HTML5, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Scripting languages Lua, Teal, C, C++, C#, Objective-C, Java, JavaScript JavaScript
Our review
Pros
  • 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
  • No-code event logic with optional JavaScript extensibility
  • Built-in multiplayer, lobbies, player login, and cloud synchronization
  • Exports to web, desktop, Android, and iOS
Cons
  • No visual scripting support
  • Console deployment requires approval from the platform holder
  • Multiplayer features rely on the Photon Fusion extension
  • Free publishing to Android and desktop is limited to once per day
  • iOS publishing starts with the Gold plan
  • Advanced cloud, version history, and collaboration require Pro
Our verdict

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 →

GDevelop is an open-source game engine and editor for creating 2D and 3D games. Its no-code event-based logic, ready-made behaviors, extensions, visual effects, and optional JavaScript support suit hobbyists, educators, indie developers,…

Read the review →
  1. DefoldGame Engine Software 8.7Free plan
  2. GDevelopGame Engine Software 8.3Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • 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

  • GDevelop — where it wins

    • No-code event logic with optional JavaScript extensibility
    • Built-in multiplayer, lobbies, player login, and cloud synchronization
    • Exports to web, desktop, Android, and iOS

    Where it doesn't

    • Free publishing to Android and desktop is limited to once per day
    • iOS publishing starts with the Gold plan
    • Advanced cloud, version history, and collaboration require Pro

More comparisons

All game engine software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update