Defold vs GameMaker Comparison
Defold
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Freelancers / Consultants
- Small Business
Defold is a free, lightweight, and powerful cross-platform game engine designed for creating 2D and lightweight 3D games across desktop, mobile, web, and consoles. It offers an all-in-one development environment with int…
GameMaker
Starting at $0 /month
- Indie Developers
- Makerspaces
GameMaker is a versatile 2D game engine designed for both beginners and professional developers to create games quickly and efficiently. It offers an intuitive interface with tools such as a Room Editor, Object Editor, a…
Defold vs GameMaker — at a glance
| Feature | Defold | GameMaker |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | — | — |
| Reviews | — | — |
| Starting price | Contact for pricing | $0 /month |
| Free trial | No | No |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Freelancers / Consultants, Small Business, Mid-Market | Indie Developers, Makerspaces, Startups |
| Category | Game Engine Software | Game Engine Software |
| Platforms | Cloud, On-premise | — |
| API | Available | — |
| Support modes | Documentation | Documentation |
| Data residency | — | Global |
Key differences between Defold and GameMaker
- Pricing: GameMaker starts at $0 /month. Defold pricing is not publicly listed.
- Target audience: Defold is built for Freelancers / Consultants and Small Business, while GameMaker targets Indie Developers and Makerspaces.
Defold vs GameMaker — find the better fit before you commit.
Which tool fits your team best
Which is actually cheaper for your team size
Where each product wins, per real buyers
Most Game Engine Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.
Biggest differences
Features
Pricing
Buying details
Security
Buyer feedback
Integrations
Product tour
Other options
Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Best for indie and small studios needing a free, cross-platform 2D game engine with integrated tools.
- You want a no-cost, royalty-free game engine
- You need to deploy games across multiple platforms easily
- You prefer an integrated editor with visual and scripting tools
- You require advanced 3D graphics and AAA features
- You rely heavily on large third-party asset marketplaces
Best for indie developers and educators creating 2D games with an easy-to-learn engine.
- You want to build 2D games quickly with minimal coding
- You need cross-platform export including consoles
- You value strong community and learning resources
- You require advanced 3D game development
- You need a fully customizable engine for AAA projects
Defold: Best for indie and small studios needing a free, cross-platform 2D game engine with integrated tools. GameMaker: Best for indie developers and educators creating 2D games with an easy-to-learn engine.
Description | Defold is a free, lightweight, and powerful cross-platform game engine designed for creating 2D and lightweight 3D games across desktop, mobile, web, and consoles. It offers an all-in-one ... Read More about Defold | GameMaker is a versatile 2D game engine designed for both beginners and professional developers to create games quickly and efficiently. It offers an intuitive interface with tools such as ... Read More about GameMaker |
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Entry Level Pricing |
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Free Trial Availability |
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Best Company Size | 1-50 employees51-500 employees | 1-50 employees51-500 employees |
Get pricing help | Get pricing help |
Software Demo
Demo |
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How do Defold and GameMaker Compare on Features?
Total Features | 12 Features | 11 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Defold and GameMaker on pricing
Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.
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Other Details
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
Data Residency | — | 🌐 Global |
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Defold User Reviews & Rating Comparison
Pros and Cons |
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Media and Screenshots
Videos |  2 Videos |  2 Videos |
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Top Alternatives to Defold and GameMaker in 2026
Alternatives |
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Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
- Which is better, Defold or GameMaker?
- Defold and GameMaker are closely matched with equal user ratings of -1.0. The right choice depends on your team size, budget, and specific Game Engine Software needs.
- Do Defold and GameMaker offer a free trial?
- Neither Defold nor GameMaker currently lists a free trial.
- What is the starting price of Defold vs GameMaker?
- Defold starts at Contact for pricing. GameMaker starts at $0 /month.
- What are the top alternatives to Defold?
- Top alternatives to Defold include Godot, Cocos Creator, Machinations, Mod.io, Unreal Engine.
- What are the top alternatives to GameMaker?
- Top alternatives to GameMaker include GDevelop, Construct 3, Godot, Machinations, Vivox.