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AR VR · head to head

A-Frame vs ShapesXR

A-Frame logo

A-Frame

AR VR

Web framework for building VR experiences

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
ShapesXR logo

ShapesXR

AR VR

Collaborative XR prototyping platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: A-Frame no commercial support or SLA agreements documented; ShapesXR the free Starter plan allows only 1 editable Space, 10 Frames per Space and 1 Viewpoint
  • They diverge on capability: A-Frame covers Declarative HTML, ShapesXR covers XR prototyping.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which A-Frame and ShapesXR actually diverge.

Attributes where A-Frame and ShapesXR differ
AttributeA-FrameShapesXR
Pricing modelopen-sourcefreemium
PlatformsWeb (via WebXR), VR headsets, AR-capable mobile devicesVr, Ar, Quest, Web
Founded20152019

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 A-Frame

  • Declarative HTML
  • Entity-component system
  • WebXR support
  • Cross-platform
  • Three.js
  • AR.js
  • Physics engines
  • Networking

Only in ShapesXR

  • XR prototyping
  • Real-time collaboration
  • Interactions
  • Asset library
  • Figma
  • Sketch
  • Adobe XD
  • Vr support

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

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

A-Frame

  • 3D and AR/VR web experiencesnot ShapesXR
  • WebVR applicationsnot ShapesXR
  • WebGPU implementationsnot ShapesXR
  • Hand-tracking interactive contentnot ShapesXR

ShapesXR

  • Designing and prototyping spatial and XR interfaces in a headsetnot A-Frame
  • Reviewing 3D product designs in context with a distributed teamnot A-Frame
  • Bringing Figma designs into VR for spatial layoutnot A-Frame

Where each one falls short

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

A-Frame

  • No commercial support or SLA agreements documented
  • No enterprise licensing options available
  • Documentation and community support are primary resources

ShapesXR

  • The free Starter plan allows only 1 editable Space, 10 Frames per Space and 1 Viewpoint
  • The free Starter plan caps imports at 20MB and the canvas at 100 square metres
  • The Figma plugin, playable Figma prototypes and 200MB imports require a paid plan
  • Roles, permissions, presentation tools and a shared team asset library require the Business plan
  • Single sign on, multi-factor authentication and premium support are Enterprise only
  • No prices are published for the Professional, Business or Enterprise plans; each is Get a quote
  • The Business trial is 14 days

Pricing, plan by plan

A-Frame

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the A-Frame review.

ShapesXR

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 3 projects
    • Collaboration
    • Basic export

Which should you pick?

Choose A-Frame if

  • You need declarative html.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web (via WebXR), VR headsets, AR-capable mobile devices.
  • You also want entity-component system.
A-Frame review

Choose ShapesXR if

  • You need xr prototyping.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Vr, Ar, Quest, Web.
  • You also want real-time collaboration.
ShapesXR review

Questions people ask

Is A-Frame or ShapesXR better?
Neither clearly leads. A-Frame starts at Free and ShapesXR at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, A-Frame or ShapesXR?
A-Frame starts at Free and ShapesXR at Free.
Does A-Frame or ShapesXR run on more platforms?
A-Frame runs on Web (via WebXR), VR headsets, AR-capable mobile devices. ShapesXR runs on Vr, Ar, Quest, Web.
Can I use A-Frame for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is A-Frame best used for?
A-Frame is most often used for 3d and ar/vr web experiences, webvr applications, webgpu implementations, hand-tracking interactive content. Of those, 3d and ar/vr web experiences and webvr applications are not what ShapesXR is typically brought in for.
What can A-Frame do that ShapesXR cannot?
A-Frame covers Declarative HTML, Entity-component system, WebXR support, Cross-platform. ShapesXR covers XR prototyping, Real-time collaboration, Interactions, Asset library. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

A-Frame: Is A-Frame free to use?

A-Frame is a free, open-source web framework for building 3D, AR, and VR experiences. There are no licensing costs or subscription fees associated with using A-Frame.

Source
ShapesXR: How much does ShapesXR cost?

ShapesXR offers a free Starter tier and paid Professional, Business, and Enterprise tiers. Specific pricing for paid tiers is not published and requires requesting a quote from ShapesXR's sales team.

Source
A-Frame: What platforms does A-Frame support?

A-Frame is cross-platform and works on VR headsets, mobile devices, and desktop computers. It supports WebVR, WebGPU, and hand tracking capabilities.

Source
ShapesXR: What is included in ShapesXR's free Starter plan?

The free Starter tier includes 1 editable space, 10 frames per space, 20 MB imports, and access to all creation tools. This allows discovery of ShapesXR's core capabilities at no cost.

Source
A-Frame: What is the difference between A-Frame and traditional 3D development frameworks?

A-Frame uses HTML and Entity-Component architecture to simplify 3D creation. This makes building immersive experiences accessible to web developers without specialized 3D graphics expertise.

Source
ShapesXR: Is there a free trial for ShapesXR's paid plans?

Yes, Business plan includes a 14-day free trial with no credit card required, allowing evaluation of team collaboration and permissions features before purchasing.

Source
ShapesXR: What are the differences between ShapesXR's paid tiers?

Professional offers unlimited creation with higher import limits (50 MB). Business adds unlimited spaces/frames (200 MB imports) with team collaboration. Enterprise includes all Business features plus SSO, MFA, advanced security, premium support, and a dedicated consultant.

Source
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