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8th Wall vs Bigscreen

8th Wall logo

8th Wall

AR VR

WebAR platform for browser-based AR experiences

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Bigscreen logo

Bigscreen

AR VR

Watch movies and hang out in VR

From
$1019/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only 8th Wall has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: 8th Wall platform shutdown as of February 2026, with hosted services ending; Bigscreen accessory pricing not published separately
  • They diverge on capability: 8th Wall covers SLAM tracking, Bigscreen covers Virtual theaters.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which 8th Wall and Bigscreen actually diverge.

Attributes where 8th Wall and Bigscreen differ
Attribute8th WallBigscreen
Starting priceFree$1019/one-time
Pricing modelUnknownone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb (WebXR), Mobile browsers, Open source (local deployment)Vr, Pc, Quest, Psvr
Founded20162014

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (AR VR).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in 8th Wall

  • SLAM tracking
  • Image targets
  • Face effects
  • World tracking
  • Three.js
  • A-Frame
  • Babylon.js
  • PlayCanvas

Only in Bigscreen

  • Virtual theaters
  • Social viewing
  • Desktop streaming
  • 3D movies
  • Pluto TV
  • Paramount+
  • Desktop apps
  • Vr support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

8th Wall

  • VR Gaming
  • AR Marketing
  • Virtual Training
  • 3D Visualization
  • Immersive Experiences

Bigscreen

  • VR Gaming
  • AR Marketing
  • Virtual Training
  • 3D Visualization
  • Immersive Experiences

Both are used for vr gaming, ar marketing, virtual training, 3d visualization, immersive experiences, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

8th Wall

  • Platform shutdown as of February 2026, with hosted services ending
  • WebAR performance limitations compared to native app AR experiences
  • Requires internet connection for all AR experiences to function
  • Limited browser support; Firefox and Safari do not support WebXR on desktop and mobile

Bigscreen

  • Accessory pricing not published separately
  • Custom-fit cushion via face scan cost not specified
  • Shipping costs vary by international destination

Pricing, plan by plan

8th Wall

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the 8th Wall review.

Bigscreen

$1019/one-time
  • Beyond 2$1019/one-time
    • 5m Fiber Optic Cable
    • Soft Strap
    • Link Box
  • Beyond 2e$1219/one-time
    • Beyond 2 features plus
    • Eye tracking capability
    • 1-year warranty (2 years in EU)

Which should you pick?

Choose 8th Wall if

  • You need slam tracking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web (WebXR), Mobile browsers, Open source (local deployment).
  • You also want image targets.
8th Wall review

Choose Bigscreen if

  • You need virtual theaters.
  • You work on Vr, Pc, Quest, Psvr.
  • You also want social viewing.
Bigscreen review

Questions people ask

Is 8th Wall or Bigscreen better?
Neither clearly leads. 8th Wall starts at Free and Bigscreen at $1019/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, 8th Wall or Bigscreen?
8th Wall has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for 8th Wall and $1019/one-time for Bigscreen.
Does 8th Wall or Bigscreen run on more platforms?
8th Wall runs on Web (WebXR), Mobile browsers, Open source (local deployment). Bigscreen runs on Vr, Pc, Quest, Psvr.
Can I use 8th Wall for free?
Yes. 8th Wall has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Bigscreen starts at $1019/one-time.
What is 8th Wall best used for?
8th Wall is most often used for vr gaming, ar marketing, virtual training, 3d visualization.
What can 8th Wall do that Bigscreen cannot?
8th Wall covers SLAM tracking, Image targets, Face effects, World tracking. Bigscreen covers Virtual theaters, Social viewing, Desktop streaming, 3D movies.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

8th Wall: What is 8th Wall and how does it work?

8th Wall was a WebAR platform enabling AR experiences in web browsers without native app installation. As of February 2026, it transitioned to open source at 8thwall.org with free MIT-licensed technology.

Source
Bigscreen: How much does Bigscreen Beyond 2 cost?

Bigscreen Beyond 2 starts at $1019 one-time purchase. Beyond 2e with eyetracking capability starts at $1219. Both ship in 1-3 days and include a 5m fiber optic cable, soft strap, and link box with a 1-year warranty (2 years in EU).

Source
8th Wall: Is 8th Wall still available?

The paid hosted platform shut down February 28, 2026. The core technology was released as open source at 8thwall.org. Existing published projects remain online until February 28, 2027, when all hosted content will be permanently deleted.

Source
Bigscreen: What's Bigscreen's return policy?

Bigscreen offers a 14-day return policy for both Beyond 2 and Beyond 2e models. International customers cover return shipping costs for items sent back outside the home country.

Source
8th Wall: What licensing is available for 8th Wall?

8th Wall is now released under the MIT open source license at no cost for commercial use. Previously, commercial licensing started at $700 per month per project.

Source
Bigscreen: What warranty does Bigscreen provide?

Both Beyond 2 and Beyond 2e include a 1-year limited warranty. European customers receive a 2-year warranty to comply with EU consumer protection requirements.

Source
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