# Multi-platform builds

**URL:** <https://forum.defold.com/t/multi-platform-builds/77268>\
**Category:** Questions\
**Created:** [June 19, 2024, 5:03pm UTC](https://forum.defold.com/t/multi-platform-builds/77268 "2024-06-19T17:03:01Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Bateleur](https://forum-defold.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.defold.com/bateleur/32/34037_2.png) [@Bateleur](https://forum.defold.com/u/Bateleur)\
**Post date:** [June 19, 2024, 5:03pm UTC](https://forum.defold.com/t/multi-platform-builds/77268/1 "2024-06-19T17:03:02Z")

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Hi!

I have a question regarding builds on various platform with respect to Defold. I have a Windows PC. Does Defold cross-compile on various platforms? What I mean is if I want to have a build for Android, Defold will generate the apk directly without me having to install Android Studio? I know it will generate builds directly for Windows and web. But for other platforms, such as iOS and MacOS, I suppose I will need a Mac? What is the workflow for Defold when building and especially deploying on various platforms?

I am hesitating between Defold which looks promising, and Flutter for my next project.

Thanks!

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**Author:** ![britzl](https://forum-defold.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.defold.com/britzl/32/23_2.png) [@britzl](https://forum.defold.com/u/britzl)\
**Post date:** [June 19, 2024, 6:56pm UTC](https://forum.defold.com/t/multi-platform-builds/77268/2 "2024-06-19T18:56:58Z")

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> [@Bateleur](#):
>
> I have a Windows PC. Does Defold cross-compile on various platforms

Yes, Defold does cross compile to other platforms than the host OS.

> [@Bateleur](#):
>
> What I mean is if I want to have a build for Android, Defold will generate the apk directly without me having to install Android Studio?

There is no need to install Android Studio. We include the tools necessary to create an AAB or APK.

> [@Bateleur](#):
>
> for other platforms, such as iOS and MacOS, I suppose I will need a Mac

Correct. You will need a Mac.

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**Author:** ![Bateleur](https://forum-defold.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.defold.com/bateleur/32/34037_2.png) [@Bateleur](https://forum.defold.com/u/Bateleur)\
**Post date:** [June 19, 2024, 8:49pm UTC](https://forum.defold.com/t/multi-platform-builds/77268/3 "2024-06-19T20:49:38Z")

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Hi Britzl!

Thanks for the quick reply! As I mentioned, I am hesitating between Flutter and Defold. I know Flutter makes it easy to create apps (no so much games, apart from casual card or turn based ones which is what I have in mind) and has all the tools for that. It is in particular trivial to create screens and navigate through the app. Is it the same with Defold? I know Defold has UI modules but is it as trivial as Flutter?

Also I don’t know if you or someone else has experience with iOS with Defold on services like MacInCloud? I can still buy a Mac - my PC is rather old and I could certainly use a speedy machine and this is especially true for Flutter development with the emulator and all. But I am under the impression that Defold is less of a hog on the system. Is that so?

Thanks!

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**Author:** ![britzl](https://forum-defold.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.defold.com/britzl/32/23_2.png) [@britzl](https://forum.defold.com/u/britzl)\
**Post date:** [June 19, 2024, 9:45pm UTC](https://forum.defold.com/t/multi-platform-builds/77268/4 "2024-06-19T21:45:40Z")

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> [@Bateleur](#):
>
> Is it the same with Defold? I know Defold has UI modules but is it as trivial as Flutter?

No, I would not say it is trivial. Defold is more of a low level game engine where you have to do a bit more work yourself. There are plugins that simplify some of these things.

> [@Bateleur](#):
>
> But I am under the impression that Defold is less of a hog on the system

The Defold editor will require at least 4GB of memory, preferably more to work well. I recommend that you download and try!

But the game engine itself is very very performant, even on old hardware.

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**Author:** ![Bateleur](https://forum-defold.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.defold.com/bateleur/32/34037_2.png) [@Bateleur](https://forum.defold.com/u/Bateleur)\
**Post date:** [June 19, 2024, 10:28pm UTC](https://forum.defold.com/t/multi-platform-builds/77268/5 "2024-06-19T22:28:36Z")

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Hi so I have 32GB RAM so it’s ok on that front (I have a SSD too but my processor is an old 6th gen core i7). It’s a bit painful with Flutter. Defold should be ok and less demanding on the system. I already downloaded the engine! Will try it out certainly.

Cheers!

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**Author:** ![ross.grams](https://forum-defold.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/cab0a1/32.png) [@ross.grams](https://forum.defold.com/u/ross.grams)\
**Post date:** [June 20, 2024, 10:22am UTC](https://forum.defold.com/t/multi-platform-builds/77268/6 "2024-06-20T10:22:40Z")

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I ran Defold just fine for years on an i5 3570K, your “old” processor should have plenty of power.

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**Author:** ![Bateleur](https://forum-defold.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.defold.com/bateleur/32/34037_2.png) [@Bateleur](https://forum.defold.com/u/Bateleur)\
**Post date:** [June 20, 2024, 5:07pm UTC](https://forum.defold.com/t/multi-platform-builds/77268/7 "2024-06-20T17:07:24Z")

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Thanks Ross! I should be fine yes. I will try Defold soon!
