Defold vs Phaser:Which is more popular?
In October 2026, Defold had more branded searches than Phaser among game engines worldwide. Defold had about 12,100 branded searches, while Phaser had 8,290. Defold made up 0.94% of all game engine searches we track, and Phaser accounted for 0.64%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about game engines, Phaser appeared in two of the five answers and Defold in one. Phaser was mentioned before Defold in every answer that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Defold, about 46% more searches than Phaser
Who does AI mention more?
Phaser, mentioned in 2 of 5 answers, Defold in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Phaser, named ahead of Defold in 2 of 2 answers
Follow Defold vs Phaser and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top game engines in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Phaser was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Defold was mentioned in one out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Phaser was listed before Defold in every answer that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Godot5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Unity5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
GameMaker4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Unreal Engine4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
GDevelop2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Construct2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers- Phaser2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
RPG Maker1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers- Defold1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
LÖVE0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about game engines
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best game engine for beginners?”
Asked ChatGPT
“Which game engine should I use for a 2D game?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best game engines?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“game engine”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“free game engine”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 27, 2026.
Is Defold or Phaser more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Defold and Phaser by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 12 game engines we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Defold, Phaser. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | GameMaker | Unreal Engine | GDevelop | Godot | Construct | RPG Maker | Unity | LÖVE | CRYENGINE | Defold | Cocos | Phaser |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | 24.4% | 18.2% | 12.2% | 9.1% | 14.9% | 6.7% | 8.7% | 1.3% | 1.6% | 0.73% | 1.2% | 0.87% |
| Dec 2025 | 26.4% | 19.7% | 10.8% | 9.8% | 10.8% | 7.2% | 9% | 1.4% | 1.8% | 0.79% | 1.2% | 0.94% |
| Jan 2026 | 24.5% | 22.4% | 12.3% | 9.1% | 10% | 8.2% | 7.5% | 1.3% | 1.6% | 0.9% | 1.1% | 1% |
| Feb 2026 | 24.9% | 18.6% | 12.5% | 9.3% | 12.5% | 8.3% | 8.5% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 0.75% | 1.2% | 0.88% |
| Mar 2026 | 23.2% | 17.3% | 14.1% | 9.5% | 14.1% | 7.7% | 8.3% | 1.3% | 1.3% | 0.85% | 1.2% | 0.98% |
| Apr 2026 | 24.7% | 18.4% | 15% | 9.9% | 12.3% | 6.8% | 7.2% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 0.9% | 1.2% | 0.88% |
| May 2026 | 23.6% | 17.6% | 14.4% | 11.1% | 11.8% | 7.9% | 8.1% | 1.3% | 1.3% | 1.1% | 1% | 0.86% |
| Jun 2026 | 20.4% | 22.8% | 12.5% | 12% | 10.2% | 6.8% | 10% | 1.4% | 1.1% | 0.91% | 1.1% | 0.77% |
| Jul 2026 | 20.9% | 19.1% | 12.8% | 13.8% | 7% | 7% | 14.5% | 1.1% | 1.1% | 0.77% | 1% | 0.79% |
| Aug 2026 | 20.3% | 18.5% | 15.1% | 14.2% | 8.3% | 6.8% | 11.8% | 1.4% | 1.1% | 0.75% | 0.96% | 0.65% |
| Sep 2026 | 19.7% | 18% | 14.7% | 12.9% | 12% | 6.6% | 11.5% | 1.1% | 1.1% | 1.1% | 0.8% | 0.63% |
| Oct 2026 | 21% | 19.1% | 15.6% | 15% | 12.8% | 7% | 4.9% | 1.1% | 0.94% | 0.94% | 0.85% | 0.64% |
How has branded search for Defold and Phaser changed worldwide over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 3 times in the 12 months ending October 2026: Defold took it in April 2026, Phaser took it in July 2026, Defold took it in August 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Defold’s share of searches among game engines worldwide moved from 0.73% to 0.94%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 9.9K to 12.1K.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Phaser’s share of searches among game engines worldwide moved from 0.87% to 0.64%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 11.8K to 8.3K.
How did search popularity change for game engines worldwide in October 2026?
2 changes
In October 2026, Defold fell from 9th to 10th among game engines worldwide.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Phaser worldwide fell 29.7% over 12 measured months, from 11.8K to 8.3K in October 2026.
How are Defold’s and Phaser’s branded searches counted?
4 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Defold’s and Phaser’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among game engines
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.