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Gravity Sketch vs SteamVR

Gravity Sketch logo

Gravity Sketch

Software

VR 3D design tool

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

  • Each has a real cost: Gravity Sketch free plan limited to 150MB cloud storage and 3 simultaneous users per room; SteamVR platform performance does not scale well on non-Valve Index headsets
  • They diverge on capability: Gravity Sketch covers VR design, SteamVR covers Room-scale tracking.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Gravity Sketch and SteamVR actually diverge.

Attributes where Gravity Sketch and SteamVR differ
AttributeGravity SketchSteamVR
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
PlatformsVR (Meta Quest, Steam, Web)Windows 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 Gravity Sketch

  • VR design
  • Desktop app
  • Surface modeling
  • Collaboration
  • Import/export
  • Presentation mode
  • Rhino
  • Alias

Only in SteamVR

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

Both cover

  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

Gravity Sketch

  • Spatial 3D design and conceptualisation in VRnot SteamVR
  • Collaborative product design sessionsnot SteamVR
  • Conceptual model generationnot SteamVR
  • Engineering and design team collaboration in immersive environmentnot SteamVR

SteamVR

  • VR Gamingnot Gravity Sketch
  • AR Marketingnot Gravity Sketch
  • Virtual Trainingnot Gravity Sketch
  • 3D Visualizationnot Gravity Sketch
  • Immersive Experiencesnot Gravity Sketch

Where each one falls short

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

Gravity Sketch

  • Free plan limited to 150MB cloud storage and 3 simultaneous users per room
  • File format support limited to OBJ and STL on free plan; other formats require paid plan
  • Evaluation tools (surface contours, viewpoints, section tool) not available on free tier
  • VR access requires Meta Quest, Steam, or web app; limited to specific platforms
  • Data localisation only available on Enterprise plan

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

Gravity Sketch

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Gravity Sketch review.

SteamVR

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the SteamVR review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Gravity Sketch if

  • You need vr design.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on VR (Meta Quest, Steam, Web).
  • You also want desktop app.
Gravity Sketch 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 Gravity Sketch or SteamVR better?
Neither clearly leads. Gravity Sketch 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, Gravity Sketch or SteamVR?
Gravity Sketch starts at Free and SteamVR at Free.
Does Gravity Sketch or SteamVR run on more platforms?
Gravity Sketch runs on VR (Meta Quest, Steam, Web). SteamVR runs on Windows PC, Valve Index, HTC Vive, Windows Mixed Reality.
Can I use Gravity Sketch for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Gravity Sketch best used for?
Gravity Sketch is most often used for spatial 3d design and conceptualisation in vr, collaborative product design sessions, conceptual model generation, engineering and design team collaboration in immersive environment. Of those, spatial 3d design and conceptualisation in vr and collaborative product design sessions are not what SteamVR is typically brought in for.
What can Gravity Sketch do that SteamVR cannot?
Gravity Sketch covers VR design, Desktop app, Surface modeling, Collaboration. SteamVR covers Room-scale tracking, Lighthouse tracking, Multi-headset support, VR compositor. Both handle Windows 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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