Software · head to head
8th Wall vs Spark AR Studio
Spark AR Studio
Software
Professional AR effect creation for Meta platforms
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: 8th Wall platform shutdown as of February 2026, with hosted services ending; Spark AR Studio 4MB file size limit compared to Lens Studio's 8MB
- They diverge on capability: 8th Wall covers SLAM tracking, Spark AR Studio covers Visual programming.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which 8th Wall and Spark AR Studio actually diverge.
| Attribute | 8th Wall | Spark AR Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Web (WebXR), Mobile browsers, Open source (local deployment) | Desktop |
| Founded | 2016 | 2004 |
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 Spark AR Studio
- Visual programming
- Face tracking
- World effects
- Scripting API
- Messenger
- Meta Quest
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
Spark AR Studio
- 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
Spark AR Studio
- 4MB file size limit compared to Lens Studio's 8MB
- No 3D body tracking capability unlike competing platforms
- Limited to Instagram and Facebook ecosystem
Pricing, plan by plan
8th Wall
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the 8th Wall review.
Spark AR Studio
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Spark AR Studio review.
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.
Choose Spark AR Studio if
- You need visual programming.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Desktop.
- You also want face tracking.
Questions people ask
- Is 8th Wall or Spark AR Studio better?
- Neither clearly leads. 8th Wall starts at Free and Spark AR Studio at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, 8th Wall or Spark AR Studio?
- 8th Wall starts at Free and Spark AR Studio at Free.
- Does 8th Wall or Spark AR Studio run on more platforms?
- 8th Wall runs on Web (WebXR), Mobile browsers, Open source (local deployment). Spark AR Studio runs on Desktop.
- 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 Spark AR Studio cannot?
- 8th Wall covers SLAM tracking, Image targets, Face effects, World tracking. Spark AR Studio covers Visual programming, Face tracking, World effects, Scripting API. 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.
SourceSpark AR Studio: Is Spark AR Studio still available?
No. Meta announced it would shutter Spark AR at the start of 2026, ending support for new effect submissions.
Source8th 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.
SourceSpark AR Studio: Was Spark AR Studio free?
Yes. Meta Spark Studio was available as a free download for creating AR effects.
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.
SourceSpark AR Studio: What platforms did Spark AR support?
Spark AR Studio enabled building AR effects for Instagram and Facebook with optional code-based scripting.