Softwr

Software · head to head

Armory3D vs Unity AR Foundation

Armory3D logo

Armory3D

Software

Open-source 3D game engine integrated with Blender

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Unity AR Foundation logo

Unity AR Foundation

Software

Unified AR development framework for Unity

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Armory3D compiled binaries are sold to fund the project while the source code itself is free to build from scratch; Unity AR Foundation requires platform-specific plugins (ARCore, ARKit) to actually implement AR features
  • They diverge on capability: Armory3D covers Blender integration, Unity AR Foundation covers Plane detection.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Armory3D and Unity AR Foundation actually diverge.

Attributes where Armory3D and Unity AR Foundation differ
AttributeArmory3DUnity AR Foundation
Pricing modelfreeUnknown
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Html5, AndroidiOS, Android, visionOS, HoloLens 2, Meta Quest, Unity Editor
Founded20162004

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 Armory3D

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

Only in Unity AR Foundation

  • Plane detection
  • Image tracking
  • Face tracking
  • Point clouds
  • ARKit
  • ARCore
  • OpenXR
  • Magic Leap

Both cover

  • Android support

What people use each for

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

Armory3D

  • 3D game developmentnot Unity AR Foundation
  • Blender-based gamesnot Unity AR Foundation
  • Web gamesnot Unity AR Foundation

Unity AR Foundation

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

Where each one falls short

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

Armory3D

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

Unity AR Foundation

  • Requires platform-specific plugins (ARCore, ARKit) to actually implement AR features
  • Performance varies significantly by device, with battery drain and heat generation on mobile
  • Emulators cannot accurately test AR experiences due to missing camera and sensor data
  • No WebXR support for browser-based AR experiences
  • Occlusion features show lower performance at 25-40 FPS compared to other features at 40-60 FPS
  • Limited access to latest platform-specific features compared to native ARKit or ARCore

Pricing, plan by plan

Armory3D

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

Unity AR Foundation

Free
  • Included with Unity PersonalFree
    • Free for individuals and small teams with under $200K revenue/funding
    • AR Foundation package included
    • Access to all core AR features
  • Included with Unity Pro$185/month
    • Professional tier licensing
    • AR Foundation package included
    • All core AR features plus Pro-level support

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Unity AR Foundation if

  • You need plane detection.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, visionOS, HoloLens 2, Meta Quest, Unity Editor.
  • You also want image tracking.
Unity AR Foundation review

Questions people ask

Is Armory3D or Unity AR Foundation better?
Neither clearly leads. Armory3D starts at Free and Unity AR Foundation at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Armory3D or Unity AR Foundation?
Armory3D starts at Free and Unity AR Foundation at Free.
Does Armory3D or Unity AR Foundation run on more platforms?
Armory3D runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Html5, Android. Unity AR Foundation runs on iOS, Android, visionOS, HoloLens 2, Meta Quest, Unity Editor.
Can I use Armory3D for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Armory3D best used for?
Armory3D is most often used for 3d game development, blender-based games, web games. Of those, 3d game development and blender-based games are not what Unity AR Foundation is typically brought in for.
What can Armory3D do that Unity AR Foundation cannot?
Armory3D covers Blender integration, 3D graphics rendering, Physics engine (Bullet), Audio system. Unity AR Foundation covers Plane detection, Image tracking, Face tracking, Point clouds. Both handle Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Unity AR Foundation: Is Unity AR Foundation free?

Yes, AR Foundation is free and included with Unity. It is a package within the Unity engine, though you need a Unity license (available free for personal use with under $200K revenue).

Source
Unity AR Foundation: What platforms does AR Foundation support?

AR Foundation supports iOS (via ARKit), Android (via ARCore), visionOS, HoloLens 2 (via OpenXR), and Meta Quest (via OpenXR). Testing in the Unity Editor is available through XR Simulation.

Source
Unity AR Foundation: Do I need additional plugins to use AR Foundation?

Yes. AR Foundation is an abstraction layer and requires platform-specific plugins: ARCore XR Plugin for Android and ARKit XR Plugin for iOS. These plugins implement actual AR features using native SDKs.

Source
Unity AR Foundation: Can I test AR experiences in the Unity Editor?

AR Foundation supports XR Simulation in the Editor for early testing, but accurate AR testing requires real devices because emulators cannot replicate camera and sensor data accurately.

Source
Unity AR Foundation: Does AR Foundation support web-based AR?

No, AR Foundation does not support WebXR. Unity has stated there are no current plans to add WebXR support to AR Foundation. Web AR requires alternative solutions like 8th Wall.

Source
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Armory3D

More on Unity AR Foundation

Keep looking

Other head to heads