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AltspaceVR vs Rec Room

AltspaceVR logo

AltspaceVR

AR VR

Social VR platform for events and meetups

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Rec Room logo

Rec Room

AR VR

Free-to-play social VR gaming platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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; Rec Room in-app purchase structure and monetization details not disclosed on main site
  • They diverge on capability: AltspaceVR covers Event hosting, Rec Room covers Maker Pen tools.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which AltspaceVR and Rec Room actually diverge.

Attributes where AltspaceVR and Rec Room differ
AttributeAltspaceVRRec Room
Pricing modelfreefreemium
PlatformsVr, Pc, QuestVr, Pc, Mobile, Console
Founded19752016

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 AltspaceVR

  • Event hosting
  • World building
  • Avatar system
  • Spatial audio
  • Microsoft accounts
  • Streaming
  • Custom content
  • Quest support

Only in Rec Room

  • Maker Pen tools
  • Multiplayer games
  • Avatar customization
  • Room creation
  • Cross-platform play
  • In-game economy
  • Events
  • Mobile support

Both cover

  • Vr support
  • Pc 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

Rec Room

  • 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

Rec Room

  • In-app purchase structure and monetization details not disclosed on main site

Pricing, plan by plan

AltspaceVR

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Event hosting
    • World creation
    • Social features

Rec Room

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full game access
    • Room creation
    • Cross-platform

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 world building.
AltspaceVR review

Choose Rec Room if

  • You need maker pen tools.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Vr, Pc, Mobile, Console.
  • You also want multiplayer games.
Rec Room review

Questions people ask

Is AltspaceVR or Rec Room better?
Neither clearly leads. AltspaceVR starts at Free and Rec Room at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, AltspaceVR or Rec Room?
AltspaceVR starts at Free and Rec Room at Free.
Does AltspaceVR or Rec Room run on more platforms?
AltspaceVR runs on Vr, Pc, Quest. Rec Room runs on Vr, Pc, Mobile, Console.
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 Rec Room cannot?
AltspaceVR covers Event hosting, World building, Avatar system, Spatial audio. Rec Room covers Maker Pen tools, Multiplayer games, Avatar customization, Room creation. Both handle Vr support, Pc support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Rec Room: What does Rec Room cost?

Rec Room is completely free to download and play across all platforms including Android, iOS, PC, console, and VR headsets. The company opposes exploitive monetization methods.

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