What is WebAR vs App AR?

You may be familiar with Augmented Reality. A real world environment enhanced by digital technology to create an immersive experience for targeted audiences and consumers. However, not everyone is familiar with the differences between a WebAR vs App AR.

What is the difference? 

WebAR vs App AR are two different technologies that allow users to experience augmented reality in the web or mobile application. WebAR is the technology that uses your web browser to deliver an immersive AR experience, while App AR uses a mobile app for the same purpose.

The choice between these two technologies depends on the use cases. WebAR has certain limitations as compared to App AR such as lack of access to device sensors, lower performance, and limited user interaction. On the other hand, App AR offers better performance, more control over user experience, and smoother integration with existing apps or services.

Both WebAR and App AR are becoming increasingly popular for their ability to create immersive experiences for users. They offer great potential for businesses looking for innovative solutions that can help them reach out to their target audience more effectively.

WebAR is a new generation of Augmented Reality that does not require the end user to download an app to access AR content. The content instead is developed into a unique WebAR browser using AR Javascript allowing consumers to access the AR content by simply scanning a QR code or clicking on a URL. Whilst not all AR technology companies currently provide WebAR, it is a rapidly developing technology and is by far the most popular way to distribute AR content given the convenience of no longer needing to download an app every time a consumer wants to view an AR experience. 

App AR on the other hand is the original AR platform for mobile devices. Whilst App AR has been around a lot longer than WebAR and is in some cases considered “more developed and stable”,  it is a technology that requires consumers to download an app when they want to access and AR experience and given that there is not one centralized app in the market place it also means downloading a different app for different AR experiences, from different marketers. App AR does still have a limited place in the market however it is not as convenient for consumers as WebAR and the downloading of the app can often be seen as a barrier to engaging consumers with AR.

Understanding the differences between WebAR vs App AR is important to determine which augmented reality experience is best for you. Get a comprehensive overview of features, functions, and benefits of both platforms so you can make an informed decision on your AR needs.