AR/VR & Metaverse · head to head
AltspaceVR vs Horizon Worlds
A
AltspaceVR
AR/VR & Metaverse
Social VR platform for events and meetups
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: AltspaceVR shut down permanently on 10 March 2023. Microsoft closed it to concentrate on Microsoft Mesh, and altvr.com now redirects to microsoft.com; Horizon Worlds free to download but its full multiplayer VR experience requires Meta Quest headset hardware; the iOS/mobile app is a companion rather than a substitute for the headset
- They diverge on capability: AltspaceVR covers Event hosting, Horizon Worlds covers Social spaces.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which AltspaceVR and Horizon Worlds actually diverge.
| Attribute | AltspaceVR | Horizon Worlds |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Vr, Pc, Quest | Vr, Quest |
| Founded | 1975 | 2004 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (AR/VR & Metaverse).
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 AltspaceVR
- Event hosting
- Avatar system
- Spatial audio
- Microsoft accounts
- Streaming
- Custom content
- Pc support
Only in Horizon Worlds
- Social spaces
- Games
- Events
- Meta accounts
- Quest integration
- Creator tools
Both cover
- World building
- Vr support
- Quest support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
AltspaceVR
- VR Gaming
- AR Marketing
- Virtual Training
- 3D Visualization
- Immersive Experiences
Horizon Worlds
- 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.
AltspaceVR
- Shut down permanently on 10 March 2023. Microsoft closed it to concentrate on Microsoft Mesh, and altvr.com now redirects to microsoft.com
- Microsoft acquired it in 2017 and the closure came alongside wider cuts, so there is no path back
- Mesh is aimed at business use rather than the consumer social VR AltspaceVR offered
Horizon Worlds
- Free to download but its full multiplayer VR experience requires Meta Quest headset hardware; the iOS/mobile app is a companion rather than a substitute for the headset
- Mobile app requires iOS 15.1 or later, per the App Store listing
Pricing, plan by plan
AltspaceVR
Free- FreeFree
- Event hosting
- World creation
- Social features
Horizon Worlds
Free- FreeFree
- World creation
- Social features
- Events
Which should you pick?
Choose AltspaceVR if
- You need event hosting.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Vr, Pc, Quest.
- You also want avatar system.
Choose Horizon Worlds if
- You need social spaces.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Vr, Quest.
- You also want games.
Questions people ask
- Is AltspaceVR or Horizon Worlds better?
- Neither clearly leads. AltspaceVR starts at Free and Horizon Worlds at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, AltspaceVR or Horizon Worlds?
- AltspaceVR starts at Free and Horizon Worlds at Free.
- Does AltspaceVR or Horizon Worlds run on more platforms?
- AltspaceVR runs on Vr, Pc, Quest. Horizon Worlds runs on Vr, Quest.
- Can I use AltspaceVR for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is AltspaceVR best used for?
- AltspaceVR is most often used for vr gaming, ar marketing, virtual training, 3d visualization.
- What can AltspaceVR do that Horizon Worlds cannot?
- AltspaceVR covers Event hosting, Avatar system, Spatial audio, Microsoft accounts. Horizon Worlds covers Social spaces, Games, Events, Meta accounts. Both handle World building, Vr support, Quest support.