AR/VR & Metaverse · head to head
AltspaceVR vs Virbela
A
AltspaceVR
AR/VR & Metaverse
Social VR platform for events and meetups
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only AltspaceVR has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- 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; Virbela cloud-only version (Virbela Go) limited to small-to-medium scale events
- They diverge on capability: AltspaceVR covers Event hosting, Virbela covers 3D virtual campuses.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which AltspaceVR and Virbela actually diverge.
| Attribute | AltspaceVR | Virbela |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | On request |
| Pricing model | free | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Vr, Pc, Quest | Web, Desktop (downloadable application) |
| Founded | 1975 | 2012 |
Identical on both: 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
- World building
- Avatar system
- Spatial audio
- Microsoft accounts
- Streaming
- Custom content
- Quest support
Only in Virbela
- 3D virtual campuses
- Event venues
- Collaboration tools
- Custom branding
- Zoom
- Calendar systems
- LMS platforms
- Mac 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 Gamingnot Virbela
- AR Marketingnot Virbela
- Virtual Trainingnot Virbela
- 3D Visualizationnot Virbela
- Immersive Experiencesnot Virbela
Virbela
- Virtual office environment for remote teamsnot AltspaceVR
- Enterprise virtual events and conferencesnot AltspaceVR
- Immersive collaboration at scalenot AltspaceVR
- Virtual workspace for distributed organisationsnot AltspaceVR
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
Virbela
- Cloud-only version (Virbela Go) limited to small-to-medium scale events
- Specific feature limitations and pricing not clearly documented on main website
- Pricing structure requires sales contact for enterprise deployment
Pricing, plan by plan
AltspaceVR
Free- FreeFree
- Event hosting
- World creation
- Social features
Virbela
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Virbela review.
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.
Choose Virbela if
- You need 3d virtual campuses.
- You work on Web, Desktop (downloadable application).
- You also want event venues.
Questions people ask
- Is AltspaceVR or Virbela better?
- Neither clearly leads. AltspaceVR starts at Free and Virbela at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, AltspaceVR or Virbela?
- AltspaceVR has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for AltspaceVR and On request for Virbela.
- Does AltspaceVR or Virbela run on more platforms?
- AltspaceVR runs on Vr, Pc, Quest. Virbela runs on Web, Desktop (downloadable application).
- Can I use AltspaceVR for free?
- Yes. AltspaceVR has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Virbela starts at On request.
- What is AltspaceVR best used for?
- AltspaceVR is most often used for vr gaming, ar marketing, virtual training, 3d visualization. Of those, vr gaming and ar marketing are not what Virbela is typically brought in for.
- What can AltspaceVR do that Virbela cannot?
- AltspaceVR covers Event hosting, World building, Avatar system, Spatial audio. Virbela covers 3D virtual campuses, Event venues, Collaboration tools, Custom branding. Both handle Vr support, Pc support.