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AR/VR & Metaverse · head to head

Babylon.js vs Varjo

Babylon.js logo

Babylon.js

AR/VR & Metaverse

Powerful 3D engine for the web with WebXR

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Varjo logo

Varjo

AR/VR & Metaverse

Human-eye resolution VR/XR headsets

From
$2495/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Babylon.js has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Babylon.js javaScript-only framework; requires developer expertise to implement and maintain; Varjo high cost enterprise XR solutions
  • They diverge on capability: Babylon.js covers WebGL/WebGPU rendering, Varjo covers Human-eye resolution.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Babylon.js and Varjo actually diverge.

Attributes where Babylon.js and Varjo differ
AttributeBabylon.jsVarjo
Starting priceFree$2495/one-time
Pricing modelUnknownone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Native (via Babylon Native Runtime), React NativeXR headsets, Windows
Founded19752016

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (AR/VR & Metaverse).

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 Babylon.js

  • WebGL/WebGPU rendering
  • Physics engines
  • GUI system
  • Node material editor
  • WebXR
  • glTF
  • Havok physics
  • Azure

Only in Varjo

  • Human-eye resolution
  • Mixed reality
  • Eye tracking
  • Hand tracking
  • Unity
  • Unreal
  • OpenXR
  • SteamVR

What people use each for

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

Babylon.js

  • Web 3D rendering engine for games, e-commerce product configuration, and interactive experiencesnot Varjo
  • Cross-platform 3D development with native runtime and React Native supportnot Varjo

Varjo

  • Military flight simulation and pilot trainingnot Babylon.js
  • Vehicle operation and weapons trainingnot Babylon.js
  • Maritime navigation trainingnot Babylon.js
  • High-fidelity professional VR simulationnot Babylon.js

Where each one falls short

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

Babylon.js

  • JavaScript-only framework; requires developer expertise to implement and maintain

Varjo

  • High cost enterprise XR solutions
  • Specialized for military and simulation training use cases only

Pricing, plan by plan

Babylon.js

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Babylon.js review.

Varjo

$2495/one-time
  • Varjo XR-4$3990/one-time
    • Human-eye resolution
    • Mixed reality
    • Eye tracking

Which should you pick?

Choose Babylon.js if

  • You need webgl/webgpu rendering.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Native (via Babylon Native Runtime), React Native.
  • You also want physics engines.
Babylon.js review

Choose Varjo if

  • You need human-eye resolution.
  • You work on XR headsets, Windows.
  • You also want mixed reality.
Varjo review

Questions people ask

Is Babylon.js or Varjo better?
Neither clearly leads. Babylon.js starts at Free and Varjo at $2495/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Babylon.js or Varjo?
Babylon.js has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Babylon.js and $2495/one-time for Varjo.
Does Babylon.js or Varjo run on more platforms?
Babylon.js runs on Web, Native (via Babylon Native Runtime), React Native. Varjo runs on XR headsets, Windows.
Can I use Babylon.js for free?
Yes. Babylon.js has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Varjo starts at $2495/one-time.
What is Babylon.js best used for?
Babylon.js is most often used for web 3d rendering engine for games, e-commerce product configuration, and interactive experiences, cross-platform 3d development with native runtime and react native support. Of those, web 3d rendering engine for games, e-commerce product configuration, and interactive experiences and cross-platform 3d development with native runtime and react native support are not what Varjo is typically brought in for.
What can Babylon.js do that Varjo cannot?
Babylon.js covers WebGL/WebGPU rendering, Physics engines, GUI system, Node material editor. Varjo covers Human-eye resolution, Mixed reality, Eye tracking, Hand tracking.
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