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AR VR · head to head

ARCore vs Bigscreen

ARCore logo

ARCore

AR VR

Google's platform for building AR experiences

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 ARCore has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: ARCore aRCore limited to Android 7.0+, excluding older Android devices; Bigscreen accessory pricing not published separately
  • They diverge on capability: ARCore covers Motion tracking, Bigscreen covers Virtual theaters.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ARCore and Bigscreen actually diverge.

Attributes where ARCore and Bigscreen differ
AttributeARCoreBigscreen
Starting priceFree$1019/one-time
Pricing modelfreeone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsAndroid, iOS, WebVr, Pc, Quest, Psvr
Founded19982014

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 ARCore

  • Motion tracking
  • Environmental understanding
  • Light estimation
  • Depth API
  • Unity
  • Unreal
  • Android Studio
  • 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.

ARCore

  • 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.

ARCore

  • ARCore limited to Android 7.0+, excluding older Android devices
  • Requires integration with game engines or frameworks for most applications
  • Cloud anchors rely on internet connectivity for shared AR experiences
  • Performance varies significantly across different Android device capabilities

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

ARCore

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full SDK
    • Cloud Anchors
    • Geospatial API

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 ARCore if

  • You need motion tracking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Android, iOS, Web.
  • You also want environmental understanding.
ARCore 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 ARCore or Bigscreen better?
Neither clearly leads. ARCore 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, ARCore or Bigscreen?
ARCore has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for ARCore and $1019/one-time for Bigscreen.
Does ARCore or Bigscreen run on more platforms?
ARCore runs on Android, iOS, Web. Bigscreen runs on Vr, Pc, Quest, Psvr.
Can I use ARCore for free?
Yes. ARCore has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Bigscreen starts at $1019/one-time.
What is ARCore best used for?
ARCore is most often used for vr gaming, ar marketing, virtual training, 3d visualization.
What can ARCore do that Bigscreen cannot?
ARCore covers Motion tracking, Environmental understanding, Light estimation, Depth API. Bigscreen covers Virtual theaters, Social viewing, Desktop streaming, 3D movies.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

ARCore: What platforms does ARCore support?

ARCore supports Android 7.0 (Nougat) and later on qualified Android phones. SDKs are also available for iOS, Unity, Unreal Engine, and Web (WebXR).

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
ARCore: What are the three core capabilities of ARCore?

ARCore provides motion tracking to monitor device position, environmental understanding to detect surfaces like floors and walls, and light estimation to analyze surrounding lighting conditions.

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
ARCore: Can developers build shared AR experiences with ARCore?

Yes, ARCore supports cloud anchors enabling multiple users to see the same virtual objects in the real world, enabling shared AR experiences.

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
ARCore: What programming languages does ARCore support?

ARCore supports Kotlin and Java for Android, C through Android NDK, and provides APIs for Unity, Unreal Engine, iOS, and Web platforms.

Source
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