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Babylon.js vs Wikitude

Babylon.js logo

Babylon.js

Software

Powerful 3D engine for the web with WebXR

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Wikitude logo

Wikitude

Software

Cross-platform AR SDK for mobile applications

From
€2490/year
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; Wikitude service discontinued September 21, 2024 - no longer available for purchase or use
  • They diverge on capability: Babylon.js covers WebGL/WebGPU rendering, Wikitude covers Image tracking.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Babylon.js and Wikitude differ
AttributeBabylon.jsWikitude
Starting priceFree€2490/year
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Native (via Babylon Native Runtime), React NativeAr, Ios, Android, Smart-glasses
Founded19752008

Identical on both: 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 Babylon.js

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

Only in Wikitude

  • Image tracking
  • Instant tracking
  • Object recognition
  • Geo AR
  • Unity
  • Cordova
  • Xamarin
  • Flutter

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 Wikitude
  • Cross-platform 3D development with native runtime and React Native supportnot Wikitude

Wikitude

  • VR Gamingnot Babylon.js
  • AR Marketingnot Babylon.js
  • Virtual Trainingnot Babylon.js
  • 3D Visualizationnot Babylon.js
  • Immersive Experiencesnot 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

Wikitude

  • Service discontinued September 21, 2024 - no longer available for purchase or use
  • All developer and cloud services shut down permanently
  • Apps built with Wikitude lost backend functionality after shutdown
  • No migration path provided to successor platform

Pricing, plan by plan

Babylon.js

Free

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

Wikitude

€2490/year
  • Pro$2490/year
    • All tracking features
    • Cloud recognition
    • Support

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 Wikitude if

  • You need image tracking.
  • You work on Ar, Ios, Android, Smart-glasses.
  • You also want instant tracking.
Wikitude review

Questions people ask

Is Babylon.js or Wikitude better?
Neither clearly leads. Babylon.js starts at Free and Wikitude at €2490/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Babylon.js or Wikitude?
Babylon.js has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Babylon.js and €2490/year for Wikitude.
Does Babylon.js or Wikitude run on more platforms?
Babylon.js runs on Web, Native (via Babylon Native Runtime), React Native. Wikitude runs on Ar, Ios, Android, Smart-glasses.
Can I use Babylon.js for free?
Yes. Babylon.js has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Wikitude starts at €2490/year.
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 Wikitude is typically brought in for.
What can Babylon.js do that Wikitude cannot?
Babylon.js covers WebGL/WebGPU rendering, Physics engines, GUI system, Node material editor. Wikitude covers Image tracking, Instant tracking, Object recognition, Geo AR.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Wikitude: Is Wikitude AR SDK still available?

No. Wikitude services were permanently shut down on September 21, 2024. All Wikitude mobile SDK, Studio, Cloud, and API services are no longer available, and stored data became inaccessible.

Source
Wikitude: Why did Wikitude shut down?

Qualcomm, which acquired Wikitude in 2021, decided to retire the Wikitude brand and consolidate AR development into Snapdragon Spaces XR Developer Platform, focusing exclusively on headworn AR experiences.

Source
Wikitude: What happened to apps built with Wikitude?

More than 40,000 mobile apps were created using Wikitude SDK and delivered to millions of users. After the September 2024 shutdown, these apps no longer have access to Wikitude backend services, though the apps themselves may continue functioning with local features.

Source
Wikitude: When was Wikitude acquired by Qualcomm?

Qualcomm acquired Wikitude in 2021. The acquisition consolidated Qualcomm's AR strategy, leading to the 2024 decision to discontinue mobile AR services.

Source
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