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SPECIFICTION
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Defold

defold.com

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Spec score 8.9 #8 of 92 in Game Engine Software

What it is

Defold is a game engine for building cross-platform 2D and 3D games. Its toolchain combines an editor, runtime, scripting workflow, build pipeline, and deployment flow. Game logic is written in Lua; native extensions can use C, C++, Objective-C, Java, or JavaScript. Visual editors, a debugger, profiler, particle effects, animation, and integrated 2D and 3D physics are included. Target platforms listed are Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, HTML5, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch. Integrations include Firebase Analytics, AdMob, in-app purchases, push notifications, Google Play services, Nakama, and PlayFab. The Asset Portal offers reusable components and extensions. Live Update can provide additional game content after the initial download, with customizable content verification. Source code for the engine, editor, and build tools is available on GitHub under a developer-friendly license derived from Apache 2.0. Defold costs nothing, with no licensing fees, royalties, or runtime fees. Community help is available through a forum, and technical support contracts are available if needed.

Spec sheet

Product
Defold is an all-in-one game engine for building cross-platform 2D and 3D games.Read 2 Oct 2026 · defold.com
Audience
Defold describes itself as suitable for indie creators, students, and studios shipping commercial games.Read 2 Oct 2026 · defold.com
Platforms
Games can be deployed to desktop, mobile, web, and consoles; the editor runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux.Read 2 Oct 2026 · defold.com
Free plan
YesRead 24 Sep 2026 · defold.com
Integrations
Officially supported integrations include Firebase Analytics, AdMob, in-app purchases, push notifications, Google Play services, and game backends such as Nakama and PlayFab.Read 2 Oct 2026 · defold.com
Support
Defold offers community help through its forum and says technical support contracts are available if needed.Read 2 Oct 2026 · defold.com
Headquarters
Stockholm, SwedenRead 28 Sep 2026 · defold.com
Founded
2009Read 28 Sep 2026 · defold.com
Maker
The Defold Foundation owns the Defold brand and product, and Refold AB is contracted for most day-to-day product work.Read 2 Oct 2026 · defold.com
Console export
YesRead 24 Sep 2026 · defold.com
Desktop requirements
The editor requires macOS 11 Big Sur or newer, Windows Vista or newer, or Ubuntu 18.04 64-bit or newer.Read 2 Oct 2026 · defold.com
Extensions
The Asset Portal offers reusable components and extensions, including integrations for third-party SDKs and services.Read 2 Oct 2026 · defold.com
Features
The engine includes visual editors, a debugger, profiler, particle effects, animation, and integrated 2D and 3D physics.Read 2 Oct 2026 · defold.com
Languages
Game logic is written in Lua, and native extensions can be written in C, C++, Objective-C, Java, or JavaScript.Read 2 Oct 2026 · defold.com
Live Update
Live Update can deliver additional game content after the initial download and includes customizable content verification.Read 2 Oct 2026 · defold.com
Mobile export
YesRead 24 Sep 2026 · defold.com
Multiplayer tools
YesRead 24 Sep 2026 · defold.com
Scripting languages
Lua,Teal,C,C++,C#,Objective-C,Java,JavaScriptRead 24 Sep 2026 · defold.com
Source
The engine, editor, and build tools have source code available on GitHub under a developer-friendly license derived from Apache 2.0.Read 2 Oct 2026 · defold.com
Source code model
source_availableRead 24 Sep 2026 · defold.com
Target platforms
Windows,macOS,Linux,iOS,Android,HTML5,PlayStation 4,PlayStation 5,Nintendo SwitchRead 24 Sep 2026 · defold.com
Workflow
The toolchain combines an editor, runtime, scripting workflow, build pipeline, and deployment flow.Read 2 Oct 2026 · defold.com

Plans and prices

Defold Free Free forever No licensing fees · No royalties · No runtime fees Read 2 Oct 2026 · defold.com

Every Defold plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Targets desktop, mobile, web, and console platforms
  • Includes debugger, profiler, animation, and physics
  • Native extensions support several programming languages
  • Live Update can deliver content after initial download
  • Free with no licensing, royalty, or runtime fees

Limits

  • Visual scripting is not available
  • Game logic is written in Lua

Who it suits

Defold suits indie creators, students, and studios building commercial games. It is especially relevant to teams targeting multiple desktop, mobile, web, or console platforms and comfortable scripting game logic in Lua.

Verdict

Defold pairs a broad target-platform list with an integrated game development toolchain and extension options. It is free, but its listed game-logic language is Lua rather than visual scripting.

Where Specifiction places it

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