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Bigscreen vs SteamVR

Bigscreen logo

Bigscreen

Software

Watch movies and hang out in VR

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SteamVR logo

SteamVR

Software

Ultimate VR platform for PC gaming and experiences

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • They diverge on capability: Bigscreen covers Virtual theaters, SteamVR covers Room-scale tracking.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Bigscreen and SteamVR actually diverge.

Attributes where Bigscreen and SteamVR differ
AttributeBigscreenSteamVR
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
PlatformsVr, Pc, Quest, PsvrWindows PC, Valve Index, HTC Vive, Windows Mixed Reality
Founded20141996

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 Bigscreen

  • Virtual theaters
  • Social viewing
  • Desktop streaming
  • 3D movies
  • Pluto TV
  • Paramount+
  • Desktop apps
  • Quest support

Only in SteamVR

  • Room-scale tracking
  • Lighthouse tracking
  • Multi-headset support
  • VR compositor
  • Steam Store
  • OpenXR
  • Valve Index
  • Windows support

Both cover

  • Vr support
  • Pc support

What people use each for

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

Bigscreen

  • VR Gaming
  • AR Marketing
  • Virtual Training
  • 3D Visualization
  • Immersive Experiences

SteamVR

  • 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.

Bigscreen

Nothing recorded yet. See the Bigscreen review.

SteamVR

  • Platform performance does not scale well on non-Valve Index headsets
  • Automatic benchmark sets visual clarity limits that cannot be manually adjusted
  • Capricious software prone to tracking hiccups and overlay issues
  • Requires connected router and network access for multiplayer functionality

Pricing, plan by plan

Bigscreen

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Social viewing
    • Private rooms
    • Desktop streaming

SteamVR

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the SteamVR review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Bigscreen if

  • You need virtual theaters.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Vr, Pc, Quest, Psvr.
  • You also want social viewing.
Bigscreen review

Choose SteamVR if

  • You need room-scale tracking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows PC, Valve Index, HTC Vive, Windows Mixed Reality.
  • You also want lighthouse tracking.
SteamVR review

Questions people ask

Is Bigscreen or SteamVR better?
Neither clearly leads. Bigscreen starts at Free and SteamVR at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Bigscreen or SteamVR?
Bigscreen starts at Free and SteamVR at Free.
Does Bigscreen or SteamVR run on more platforms?
Bigscreen runs on Vr, Pc, Quest, Psvr. SteamVR runs on Windows PC, Valve Index, HTC Vive, Windows Mixed Reality.
Can I use Bigscreen for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Bigscreen best used for?
Bigscreen is most often used for vr gaming, ar marketing, virtual training, 3d visualization.
What can Bigscreen do that SteamVR cannot?
Bigscreen covers Virtual theaters, Social viewing, Desktop streaming, 3D movies. SteamVR covers Room-scale tracking, Lighthouse tracking, Multi-headset support, VR compositor. Both handle Vr support, Pc support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

SteamVR: Is SteamVR free?

Yes, SteamVR is free to download and use. You only need the Steam desktop application installed to access it.

Source
SteamVR: What headsets work with SteamVR?

SteamVR supports Valve Index, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Windows Mixed Reality headsets, and other compatible devices.

Source
SteamVR: Can I play SteamVR games on Meta Quest?

Yes, Meta Quest 2, 3, and Pro can wirelessly stream SteamVR games using Steam Link, which requires a 5GHz WiFi network and minimum RTX2070 GPU on your PC.

Source
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