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ARCore vs Armory3D

ARCore logo

ARCore

Software

Google's platform for building AR experiences

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Armory3D logo

Armory3D

Software

Open-source 3D game engine integrated with Blender

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: ARCore aRCore limited to Android 7.0+, excluding older Android devices; Armory3D compiled binaries are sold to fund the project while the source code itself is free to build from scratch
  • They diverge on capability: ARCore covers Motion tracking, Armory3D covers Blender integration.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ARCore and Armory3D actually diverge.

Attributes where ARCore and Armory3D differ
AttributeARCoreArmory3D
PlatformsAndroid, iOS, WebWindows, Macos, Linux, Html5, Android
Founded19982016

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 ARCore

  • Motion tracking
  • Environmental understanding
  • Light estimation
  • Depth API
  • Unity
  • Unreal
  • Android Studio
  • Ar support

Only in Armory3D

  • Blender integration
  • 3D graphics rendering
  • Physics engine (Bullet)
  • Audio system
  • Haxe scripting
  • Particle effects
  • Skeletal animation
  • Material system

Both cover

  • Android support

What people use each for

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

ARCore

  • VR Gamingnot Armory3D
  • AR Marketingnot Armory3D
  • Virtual Trainingnot Armory3D
  • 3D Visualizationnot Armory3D
  • Immersive Experiencesnot Armory3D

Armory3D

  • 3D game developmentnot ARCore
  • Blender-based gamesnot ARCore
  • Web gamesnot ARCore

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

ARCore

  • ARCore limited to Android 7.0+, excluding older Android devices
  • Requires integration with game engines or frameworks for most applications
  • Cloud anchors rely on internet connectivity for shared AR experiences
  • Performance varies significantly across different Android device capabilities

Armory3D

  • Compiled binaries are sold to fund the project while the source code itself is free to build from scratch

Pricing, plan by plan

ARCore

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full SDK
    • Cloud Anchors
    • Geospatial API

Armory3D

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full engine
    • Blender integration
    • 3D graphics

Which should you pick?

Choose ARCore if

  • You need motion tracking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Android, iOS, Web.
  • You also want environmental understanding.
ARCore review

Choose Armory3D if

  • You need blender integration.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Html5, Android.
  • You also want 3d graphics rendering.
Armory3D review

Questions people ask

Is ARCore or Armory3D better?
Neither clearly leads. ARCore starts at Free and Armory3D at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ARCore or Armory3D?
ARCore starts at Free and Armory3D at Free.
Does ARCore or Armory3D run on more platforms?
ARCore runs on Android, iOS, Web. Armory3D runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Html5, Android.
Can I use ARCore for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is ARCore best used for?
ARCore is most often used for vr gaming, ar marketing, virtual training, 3d visualization. Of those, vr gaming and ar marketing are not what Armory3D is typically brought in for.
What can ARCore do that Armory3D cannot?
ARCore covers Motion tracking, Environmental understanding, Light estimation, Depth API. Armory3D covers Blender integration, 3D graphics rendering, Physics engine (Bullet), Audio system. Both handle Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

ARCore: What platforms does ARCore support?

ARCore supports Android 7.0 (Nougat) and later on qualified Android phones. SDKs are also available for iOS, Unity, Unreal Engine, and Web (WebXR).

Source
ARCore: What are the three core capabilities of ARCore?

ARCore provides motion tracking to monitor device position, environmental understanding to detect surfaces like floors and walls, and light estimation to analyze surrounding lighting conditions.

Source
ARCore: Can developers build shared AR experiences with ARCore?

Yes, ARCore supports cloud anchors enabling multiple users to see the same virtual objects in the real world, enabling shared AR experiences.

Source
ARCore: What programming languages does ARCore support?

ARCore supports Kotlin and Java for Android, C through Android NDK, and provides APIs for Unity, Unreal Engine, iOS, and Web platforms.

Source
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