Softwr

AR VR · head to head

ARKit vs Bigscreen

ARKit logo

ARKit

AR VR

Apple's framework for iOS AR development

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Bigscreen logo

Bigscreen

AR VR

Watch movies and hang out in VR

From
$1019/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only ARKit has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: ARKit iOS-only platform, not available for Android or other operating systems; Bigscreen accessory pricing not published separately
  • They diverge on capability: ARKit covers World tracking, Bigscreen covers Virtual theaters.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ARKit and Bigscreen actually diverge.

Attributes where ARKit and Bigscreen differ
AttributeARKitBigscreen
Starting priceFree$1019/one-time
Pricing modelfreeone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, iPadOS, macOS, visionOSVr, Pc, Quest, Psvr
Founded19762014

Identical on both: 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 ARKit

  • World tracking
  • Face tracking
  • Body tracking
  • LiDAR support
  • RealityKit
  • Reality Composer
  • SceneKit
  • Ar support

Only in Bigscreen

  • Virtual theaters
  • Social viewing
  • Desktop streaming
  • 3D movies
  • Pluto TV
  • Paramount+
  • Desktop apps
  • Vr support

What people use each for

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

ARKit

  • VR Gaming
  • AR Marketing
  • Virtual Training
  • 3D Visualization
  • Immersive Experiences

Bigscreen

  • 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.

ARKit

  • iOS-only platform, not available for Android or other operating systems
  • Location-based AR accuracy limited to 3-5 meters, insufficient for precise applications
  • Cannot handle very fast motion capture
  • Accuracy varies with lighting conditions and surface characteristics
  • Requires iOS 11 or later and specific device hardware

Bigscreen

  • Accessory pricing not published separately
  • Custom-fit cushion via face scan cost not specified
  • Shipping costs vary by international destination

Pricing, plan by plan

ARKit

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full SDK
    • Documentation
    • Sample code

Bigscreen

$1019/one-time
  • Beyond 2$1019/one-time
    • 5m Fiber Optic Cable
    • Soft Strap
    • Link Box
  • Beyond 2e$1219/one-time
    • Beyond 2 features plus
    • Eye tracking capability
    • 1-year warranty (2 years in EU)

Which should you pick?

Choose ARKit if

  • You need world tracking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, iPadOS, macOS, visionOS.
  • You also want face tracking.
ARKit review

Choose Bigscreen if

  • You need virtual theaters.
  • You work on Vr, Pc, Quest, Psvr.
  • You also want social viewing.
Bigscreen review

Questions people ask

Is ARKit or Bigscreen better?
Neither clearly leads. ARKit starts at Free and Bigscreen at $1019/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ARKit or Bigscreen?
ARKit has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for ARKit and $1019/one-time for Bigscreen.
Does ARKit or Bigscreen run on more platforms?
ARKit runs on iOS, iPadOS, macOS, visionOS. Bigscreen runs on Vr, Pc, Quest, Psvr.
Can I use ARKit for free?
Yes. ARKit has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Bigscreen starts at $1019/one-time.
What is ARKit best used for?
ARKit is most often used for vr gaming, ar marketing, virtual training, 3d visualization.
What can ARKit do that Bigscreen cannot?
ARKit covers World tracking, Face tracking, Body tracking, LiDAR support. Bigscreen covers Virtual theaters, Social viewing, Desktop streaming, 3D movies.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

ARKit: Is ARKit free to use?

Yes, ARKit is free to use. It is included in Apple's iOS SDK and requires only Xcode and a Mac to start building AR apps. There are no licensing fees or subscription costs.

Source
Bigscreen: How much does Bigscreen Beyond 2 cost?

Bigscreen Beyond 2 starts at $1019 one-time purchase. Beyond 2e with eyetracking capability starts at $1219. Both ship in 1-3 days and include a 5m fiber optic cable, soft strap, and link box with a 1-year warranty (2 years in EU).

Source
ARKit: What iOS devices support ARKit?

ARKit is supported on iPhone 6s and later, iPad Pro models, and the latest iPad models. It requires iOS 11 or later. Apple Vision Pro also supports ARKit with enhanced capabilities through visionOS.

Source
Bigscreen: What's Bigscreen's return policy?

Bigscreen offers a 14-day return policy for both Beyond 2 and Beyond 2e models. International customers cover return shipping costs for items sent back outside the home country.

Source
ARKit: Can ARKit work offline?

ARKit can function offline for tracking and scene understanding since these operations run locally on the device. However, multiplayer AR features and cloud-based object detection require internet connectivity.

Source
Bigscreen: What warranty does Bigscreen provide?

Both Beyond 2 and Beyond 2e include a 1-year limited warranty. European customers receive a 2-year warranty to comply with EU consumer protection requirements.

Source
ARKit: Does ARKit integrate with game engines?

Yes, ARKit integrates with Unity through the Unity ARKit Plugin and with Unreal Engine. Developers can also use it with Metal, SceneKit, and Apple's RealityKit framework.

Source
ARKit: What are ARKit's limitations with location-based AR?

ARKit's location-based positioning has accuracy limitations. Image-based positioning is primarily useful in urban areas, and beacon-based navigation provides accuracy of 3-5 meters, which is insufficient for precise AR applications requiring 1-meter accuracy or better.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on ARKit

More on Bigscreen

Keep looking

Other head to heads