Software · head to head
ARKit vs Snapchat AR
The short version
- Each has a real cost: ARKit iOS-only platform, not available for Android or other operating systems; Snapchat AR limited to Snapchat and Spectacles ecosystem without Camera Kit
- They diverge on capability: ARKit covers LiDAR support, Snapchat AR covers Hand tracking.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which ARKit and Snapchat AR actually diverge.
| Attribute | ARKit | Snapchat AR |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | free | freemium |
| Platforms | iOS, iPadOS, macOS, visionOS | Web, iOS, Android, Spectacles |
| Founded | 1976 | 2011 |
Identical on both: starting price (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 ARKit
- LiDAR support
- RealityKit
- Reality Composer
- SceneKit
- Ipados support
- Visionos support
Only in Snapchat AR
- Hand tracking
- Lens Studio
- AR Commerce
- Snap Camera
- Android support
- Web support
Both cover
- World tracking
- Face tracking
- Body tracking
- Ar support
- Ios 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
Snapchat AR
- 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
Snapchat AR
- Limited to Snapchat and Spectacles ecosystem without Camera Kit
- Requires JavaScript or TypeScript knowledge for advanced effects
- Monetization requires meeting minimum performance thresholds
- Face tracking effects work best with optimal lighting
Pricing, plan by plan
ARKit
Free- FreeFree
- Full SDK
- Documentation
- Sample code
Snapchat AR
Free- FreeFree
- AR filters
- Face lenses
- World lenses
Which should you pick?
Choose ARKit if
- You need lidar support.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on iOS, iPadOS, macOS, visionOS.
- You also want realitykit.
Choose Snapchat AR if
- You need hand tracking.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android, Spectacles.
- You also want lens studio.
Questions people ask
- Is ARKit or Snapchat AR better?
- Neither clearly leads. ARKit starts at Free and Snapchat AR at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, ARKit or Snapchat AR?
- ARKit starts at Free and Snapchat AR at Free.
- Does ARKit or Snapchat AR run on more platforms?
- ARKit runs on iOS, iPadOS, macOS, visionOS. Snapchat AR runs on Web, iOS, Android, Spectacles.
- Can I use ARKit for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- 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 Snapchat AR cannot?
- ARKit covers LiDAR support, RealityKit, Reality Composer, SceneKit. Snapchat AR covers Hand tracking, Lens Studio, AR Commerce, Snap Camera. Both handle World tracking, Face tracking, Body tracking, Ar support.
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.
SourceSnapchat AR: Is Lens Studio free?
Yes. Lens Studio is Snap AR's free AR development platform for creating augmented reality experiences for Snapchat, Spectacles, and web applications through Camera Kit.
SourceARKit: 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.
SourceSnapchat AR: Can I monetize AR experiences created with Lens Studio?
Yes. Creators can participate in the Lens Creator Rewards Program to earn payouts based on lens performance. Lens+ provides additional monetization options for premium lenses.
SourceARKit: 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.
SourceSnapchat AR: What features does Lens Studio include?
Lens Studio includes AR development tools, face tracking effects, generative AI for creating assets and ML models, 3D body morphing, and integrations with Snapchat, Spectacles, and mobile/web through Camera Kit.
SourceARKit: 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.
SourceARKit: 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