Defold vs Solar2D: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Defold and Solar2D side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Defold
Free cross-platform game engine
Best for you if:
- • You want completely free
Solar2D
Build cross-platform 2D games with a fast, open-source, Lua-based engine.
Best for you if:
- • You want completely free with no royalties or hidden fees
| At a Glance | Defold | Solar2D |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | Free 100% free |
Category | Developer Tools | Developer Tools Game Engines |
Rating | 4.6/5 G2 4.6 62 reviews | n/a |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Defold or Solar2D?
Choose Defold if
- You want completely free
- You want tiny builds
Choose Solar2D if
- You want completely free with no royalties or hidden fees
- You want fast iteration and development with instant updates
In-Depth Analysis
Defold
Free cross-platform game engine
Defold's pricing is exceptionally generous, being entirely free with no hidden costs or royalties.
Strengths
- Pro: Completely free
- Pro: Tiny builds
- Pro: Good for mobile
Weaknesses
- Con: Smaller community
- Con: Lua learning curve
Key features
Solar2D
Build cross-platform 2D games with a fast, open-source, Lua-based engine.
Solar2D offers an incredibly generous pricing model, as it is completely free with no hidden fees or royalties.
Strengths
- Pro: Completely free with no royalties or hidden fees
- Pro: Fast iteration and development with instant updates
- Pro: Supports a wide range of platforms from a single codebase
- Pro: Strong community support and open-source nature
- Pro: Production-ready, based on a mature engine (Corona SDK)
Weaknesses
- Con: Relies on Lua, which might require learning a new language for some developers
- Con: Primarily focused on 2D games, not suitable for 3D projects
- Con: Development is community-sponsored, which might impact long-term stability without consistent funding
Key features
Plans and prices: Defold vs Solar2D
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Defold |
| defold.com read Nov 1, 2026 |
| Solar2D |
| solar2d.com read Oct 2, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Defold pricing and Solar2D pricing.
Key Takeaways
Defold
- Choose if you want free cross-platform game engine
Solar2D
- Choose if you want build cross-platform 2D games with a fast, open-source, Lua-based engine
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- Only Defold has a published user rating (4.6/5 from 62 reviews); Solar2D has none we can show.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Defold and Solar2D compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. Only Defold has a published user rating (4.6/5 from 62 reviews); Solar2D has none we can show. Both have a free plan.
What are Defold and Solar2D used for?
Defold: Free cross-platform game engine. Solar2D: Build cross-platform 2D games with a fast, open-source, Lua-based engine.
What does Defold cost vs Solar2D?
Defold is free. Solar2D is free. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Nov 1, 2026.
What's the main difference between Defold and Solar2D?
Defold's main strength: completely free. Solar2D's main strength: completely free with no royalties or hidden fees.