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AR/VR & Metaverse · head to head

AltspaceVR vs Virtual Desktop

A

AltspaceVR

AR/VR & Metaverse

Social VR platform for events and meetups

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Virtual Desktop logo

Virtual Desktop

AR/VR & Metaverse

Stream your PC to VR wirelessly

From
$19.99/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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; Virtual Desktop requires 5 GHz Wi-Fi connection for optimal performance
  • They diverge on capability: AltspaceVR covers Event hosting, Virtual Desktop covers Wireless PC VR.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which AltspaceVR and Virtual Desktop actually diverge.

Attributes where AltspaceVR and Virtual Desktop differ
AttributeAltspaceVRVirtual Desktop
Starting priceFree$19.99/one-time
Pricing modelfreeone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsVr, Pc, QuestMeta Quest, Pico, HTC Vive, Valve Index, Windows Mixed Reality, Samsung Galaxy XR
Founded19752016

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

Only in Virtual Desktop

  • Wireless PC VR
  • Desktop streaming
  • Virtual environments
  • Low latency
  • SteamVR
  • Oculus PC
  • Windows desktop

Both cover

  • Vr support
  • Pc support
  • Quest support

What people use each for

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

AltspaceVR

  • VR Gamingnot Virtual Desktop
  • AR Marketingnot Virtual Desktop
  • Virtual Trainingnot Virtual Desktop
  • 3D Visualizationnot Virtual Desktop
  • Immersive Experiencesnot Virtual Desktop

Virtual Desktop

  • Streaming PC desktop to VR headsetsnot AltspaceVR
  • Playing games in virtual cinema environmentnot AltspaceVR
  • Watching movies on giant virtual screensnot AltspaceVR
  • Browsing web content in VRnot 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

Virtual Desktop

  • Requires 5 GHz Wi-Fi connection for optimal performance
  • VR-ready GPU needed for high-quality game streaming

Pricing, plan by plan

AltspaceVR

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

Virtual Desktop

$19.99/one-time
  • Virtual Desktop$19.99/one-time
    • PC streaming
    • VR gaming
    • Virtual screens

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 Virtual Desktop if

  • You need wireless pc vr.
  • You work on Meta Quest, Pico, HTC Vive, Valve Index, Windows Mixed Reality, Samsung Galaxy XR.
  • You also want desktop streaming.
Virtual Desktop review

Questions people ask

Is AltspaceVR or Virtual Desktop better?
Neither clearly leads. AltspaceVR starts at Free and Virtual Desktop at $19.99/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, AltspaceVR or Virtual Desktop?
AltspaceVR has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for AltspaceVR and $19.99/one-time for Virtual Desktop.
Does AltspaceVR or Virtual Desktop run on more platforms?
AltspaceVR runs on Vr, Pc, Quest. Virtual Desktop runs on Meta Quest, Pico, HTC Vive, Valve Index, Windows Mixed Reality, Samsung Galaxy XR.
Can I use AltspaceVR for free?
Yes. AltspaceVR has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Virtual Desktop starts at $19.99/one-time.
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 Virtual Desktop is typically brought in for.
What can AltspaceVR do that Virtual Desktop cannot?
AltspaceVR covers Event hosting, World building, Avatar system, Spatial audio. Virtual Desktop covers Wireless PC VR, Desktop streaming, Virtual environments, Low latency. Both handle Vr support, Pc support, Quest support.
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