AR/VR & Metaverse · head to head
Engage VR vs Microsoft HoloLens 2
Microsoft HoloLens 2
AR/VR & Metaverse
Enterprise mixed reality for the modern workplace
- From
- $3500/one-time
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Engage VR has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Engage VR pLUS licences are being discontinued and are no longer available to purchase, with existing customers keeping access only to the end of their current payment term; Microsoft HoloLens 2 narrow field of view of 52 degrees limits visibility of holograms and causes parts of 3D objects to disappear when viewing up close
- They diverge on capability: Engage VR covers World building, Microsoft HoloLens 2 covers Spatial mapping.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Engage VR and Microsoft HoloLens 2 actually diverge.
| Attribute | Engage VR | Microsoft HoloLens 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $3500/one-time |
| Pricing model | freemium | Unknown |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Vr, Pc, Mobile, Quest | Standalone AR Headset |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (AR/VR & Metaverse), founded (2015).
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 Engage VR
- World building
- Virtual classrooms
- Events
- Realistic avatars
- LMS systems
- Video streaming
- Recording
- Vr support
Only in Microsoft HoloLens 2
- Spatial mapping
- Hand tracking
- Eye tracking
- Holographic display
- Azure
- Dynamics 365
- Microsoft Teams
- Mixed-reality support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Engage VR
- Virtual classrooms and immersive education deliverynot Microsoft HoloLens 2
- Corporate training, onboarding and team building in VRnot Microsoft HoloLens 2
- Hosting remote events and digital twin experiencesnot Microsoft HoloLens 2
Microsoft HoloLens 2
- VR Gamingnot Engage VR
- AR Marketingnot Engage VR
- Virtual Trainingnot Engage VR
- 3D Visualizationnot Engage VR
- Immersive Experiencesnot Engage VR
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Engage VR
- PLUS licences are being discontinued and are no longer available to purchase, with existing customers keeping access only to the end of their current payment term
- The AI Character Builder, Cloud File Manager and Experience Editor require a PRO licence
- PRO private sessions are limited to 70 users with a limit of 3 LITE participants
- No prices are published for PRO or Enterprise; the page routes to Contact Sales
- Enterprise features previously required a minimum number of licences to be purchased to unlock
Microsoft HoloLens 2
- Narrow field of view of 52 degrees limits visibility of holograms and causes parts of 3D objects to disappear when viewing up close
- Heavy weight makes extended wearing uncomfortable and impractical for sessions longer than a few hours
- Short battery life of 2.5 to 5.5 hours limits extended deployments without charging
- Display is sensitive to bright light and sunlight, with rainbow color artifacts and poor outdoor readability
- High price of $3,500 limits accessibility to enterprises with substantial budgets
Pricing, plan by plan
Engage VR
Free- FreeFree
- Basic access
- Public events
- Avatar creation
Microsoft HoloLens 2
$3500/one-timeNo published plan breakdown. See the Microsoft HoloLens 2 review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Engage VR if
- You need world building.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Vr, Pc, Mobile, Quest.
- You also want virtual classrooms.
Choose Microsoft HoloLens 2 if
- You need spatial mapping.
- You work on Standalone AR Headset.
- You also want hand tracking.
Questions people ask
- Is Engage VR or Microsoft HoloLens 2 better?
- Neither clearly leads. Engage VR starts at Free and Microsoft HoloLens 2 at $3500/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Engage VR or Microsoft HoloLens 2?
- Engage VR has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Engage VR and $3500/one-time for Microsoft HoloLens 2.
- Does Engage VR or Microsoft HoloLens 2 run on more platforms?
- Engage VR runs on Vr, Pc, Mobile, Quest. Microsoft HoloLens 2 runs on Standalone AR Headset.
- Can I use Engage VR for free?
- Yes. Engage VR has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Microsoft HoloLens 2 starts at $3500/one-time.
- What is Engage VR best used for?
- Engage VR is most often used for virtual classrooms and immersive education delivery, corporate training, onboarding and team building in vr, hosting remote events and digital twin experiences. Of those, virtual classrooms and immersive education delivery and corporate training, onboarding and team building in vr are not what Microsoft HoloLens 2 is typically brought in for.
- What can Engage VR do that Microsoft HoloLens 2 cannot?
- Engage VR covers World building, Virtual classrooms, Events, Realistic avatars. Microsoft HoloLens 2 covers Spatial mapping, Hand tracking, Eye tracking, Holographic display.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Microsoft HoloLens 2: How long is the battery life of HoloLens 2?
HoloLens 2 battery life is 2.5 to 5.5 hours of active use depending on workload intensity and brightness settings.
SourceMicrosoft HoloLens 2: What is the field of view for HoloLens 2?
HoloLens 2 has a 52-degree field of view (43 degrees horizontal and 29 degrees vertical), which is considered narrow and limits the visible hologram area when viewing objects up close.
SourceMicrosoft HoloLens 2: Can HoloLens 2 be worn over glasses?
Yes, HoloLens 2 can be worn directly over glasses with an ergonomic design that allows the visor to flip up, though comfort depends on the glasses' size and weight.
SourceMicrosoft HoloLens 2: What is the price of HoloLens 2?
The HoloLens 2 costs $3,500 USD with enterprise rental options at $125 per month and developer rental at $99 per month.
SourceRelated pages
More on Microsoft HoloLens 2
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