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AR/VR & Metaverse · head to head

AltspaceVR vs Xreal Air

A

AltspaceVR

AR/VR & Metaverse

Social VR platform for events and meetups

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Xreal Air logo

Xreal Air

AR/VR & Metaverse

Wearable AR display glasses for everyday use

From
$199/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; Xreal Air no integrated battery; requires tethered connection to external device for operation
  • They diverge on capability: AltspaceVR covers Event hosting, Xreal Air covers Micro-OLED displays.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which AltspaceVR and Xreal Air actually diverge.

Attributes where AltspaceVR and Xreal Air differ
AttributeAltspaceVRXreal Air
Starting priceFree$199/one-time
Pricing modelfreeUnknown
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsVr, Pc, QuestiOS, Android, Windows, macOS
CategoryAR/VR & MetaverseUnknown
Founded19752017

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

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
  • Vr support

Only in Xreal Air

  • Micro-OLED displays
  • Spatial display
  • Lightweight design
  • 6DoF tracking
  • Nebula app
  • Gaming consoles
  • Smartphones
  • Ar support

Both cover

  • 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

Xreal Air

  • 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

Xreal Air

  • No integrated battery; requires tethered connection to external device for operation
  • Narrow 46-degree field of view on existing Air models limits immersive experience compared to Vision Pro's wider viewing area
  • Not a standalone device; cannot run applications independently without source device
  • Limited hand tracking capabilities compared to Apple Vision Pro which has integrated eye and hand tracking

Pricing, plan by plan

AltspaceVR

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

Xreal Air

$199/one-time

No published plan breakdown. See the Xreal Air 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.
AltspaceVR review

Choose Xreal Air if

  • You need micro-oled displays.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Windows, macOS.
  • You also want spatial display.
Xreal Air review

Questions people ask

Is AltspaceVR or Xreal Air better?
Neither clearly leads. AltspaceVR starts at Free and Xreal Air at $199/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, AltspaceVR or Xreal Air?
AltspaceVR has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for AltspaceVR and $199/one-time for Xreal Air.
Does AltspaceVR or Xreal Air run on more platforms?
AltspaceVR runs on Vr, Pc, Quest. Xreal Air runs on iOS, Android, Windows, macOS.
Can I use AltspaceVR for free?
Yes. AltspaceVR has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Xreal Air starts at $199/one-time.
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 Xreal Air cannot?
AltspaceVR covers Event hosting, World building, Avatar system, Spatial audio. Xreal Air covers Micro-OLED displays, Spatial display, Lightweight design, 6DoF tracking. Both handle Pc support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Xreal Air: Does Xreal Air require a power source or battery?

No. Xreal Air glasses do not have their own battery and require a tethered connection to a source device like a smartphone, laptop, or gaming console to function, making them dependent on the host device's power.

Source
Xreal Air: What devices can Xreal Air connect to?

Xreal Air glasses connect to smartphones, tablets, PCs, and gaming devices that support video output or wireless casting. On Mac systems, Nebula integrates as a display extension enabling multi-screen workflows.

Source
Xreal Air: What is the field of view on Xreal Air?

The Xreal Air 2 Pro has a 46-degree field of view at 1920x1080 per-eye resolution, while the newer Xreal Aura offers a 70-degree diagonal field of view with 1,920 x 1,200 resolution per eye at up to 120Hz.

Source
Xreal Air: What is the starting price for Xreal AR glasses?

Xreal AR glasses start at $199 USD for entry-level models, with the Xreal Aura flagship device launching in fall 2026 at a maximum retail price of $1,500 before taxes.

Source
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