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Software · head to head

8th Wall vs Gather

8

8th Wall

Software

WebAR platform for browser-based AR experiences

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Gather logo

Gather

Software

Virtual spaces for remote collaboration

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: 8th Wall platform shutdown as of February 2026, with hosted services ending; Gather no native desktop or mobile app; browser-based only
  • They diverge on capability: 8th Wall covers SLAM tracking, Gather covers Proximity video chat.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where 8th Wall and Gather differ
Attribute8th WallGather
PlatformsWeb (WebXR), Mobile browsers, Open source (local deployment)Web
Founded20162020

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Unknown), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 Gather

  • Proximity video chat
  • Customizable spaces
  • Interactive objects
  • Screen sharing
  • Calendar
  • Slack
  • Google Workspace
  • Desktop support

Both cover

  • Web 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

Gather

  • 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

Gather

  • No native desktop or mobile app; browser-based only
  • Limited API documentation compared to enterprise competitors
  • Scaling large virtual offices can impact performance

Pricing, plan by plan

8th Wall

Free

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

Gather

Free
  • 30-Day TrialFree
    • Up to 50 team members
    • All features included
    • Meetings and chat
  • Essential$12/month
    • All features
    • Meeting recordings starting at 20 hours
    • Meeting transcriptions starting at 30 hours

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 Gather if

  • You need proximity video chat.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want customizable spaces.
Gather review

Questions people ask

Is 8th Wall or Gather better?
Neither clearly leads. 8th Wall starts at Free and Gather at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, 8th Wall or Gather?
8th Wall starts at Free and Gather at Free.
Does 8th Wall or Gather run on more platforms?
8th Wall runs on Web (WebXR), Mobile browsers, Open source (local deployment). Gather runs on Web.
Can I use 8th Wall for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 Gather cannot?
8th Wall covers SLAM tracking, Image targets, Face effects, World tracking. Gather covers Proximity video chat, Customizable spaces, Interactive objects, Screen sharing. Both handle Web support.

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
Gather: What is a free trial of Gather like?

Gather offers a 30-day free trial with no credit card required that includes up to 50 team members and access to all features including meetings, chat, AI meeting notes, and full office customization.

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
Gather: How does Gather reduce meeting load?

Gather recreates natural office dynamics through spatial audio and proximity-based interactions, allowing colleagues to bump into each other and have quick conversations without scheduled calls. Teams report shorter, more organic conversations that wrap up in under 10 minutes.

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
Gather: What platforms and devices does Gather support?

Gather works on web browsers and integrates with Slack and Google Chat. The platform supports audio/video calls, screen sharing, and custom workspace design.

Source
Gather: Does Gather work offline?

Gather is a web-based platform that requires an internet connection to function, though it emphasizes quick connection and low bandwidth requirements compared to traditional video conferencing.

Source
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