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AR/VR & Metaverse · head to head

Gravity Sketch vs WebXR Device API

Gravity Sketch logo

Gravity Sketch

AR/VR & Metaverse

VR 3D design tool

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
WebXR Device API logo

WebXR Device API

AR/VR & Metaverse

W3C standard for VR and AR on the web

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; WebXR Device API safari on iOS does not support WebXR natively, limiting reach for iPhone and iPad users
  • They diverge on capability: Gravity Sketch covers VR design, WebXR Device API covers VR sessions.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Gravity Sketch and WebXR Device API actually diverge.

Attributes where Gravity Sketch and WebXR Device API differ
AttributeGravity SketchWebXR Device API
Pricing modelfreemiumfree
PlatformsVR (Meta Quest, Steam, Web)Web, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Samsung Internet
Founded20141994

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (AR/VR & Metaverse).

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 WebXR Device API

  • VR sessions
  • AR sessions
  • Input handling
  • Reference spaces
  • Chrome
  • Firefox
  • Edge
  • Quest Browser

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 WebXR Device API
  • Collaborative product design sessionsnot WebXR Device API
  • Conceptual model generationnot WebXR Device API
  • Engineering and design team collaboration in immersive environmentnot WebXR Device API

WebXR Device API

  • 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

WebXR Device API

  • Safari on iOS does not support WebXR natively, limiting reach for iPhone and iPad users
  • Requires compatible VR/AR hardware which limits adoption to users with VR headsets or AR-capable mobile devices
  • Browser support still emerging with some features being experimental or not widely implemented across all browsers

Pricing, plan by plan

Gravity Sketch

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Gravity Sketch review.

WebXR Device API

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Open standard
    • Browser support
    • Specification

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 WebXR Device API if

  • You need vr sessions.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Samsung Internet.
  • You also want ar sessions.
WebXR Device API review

Questions people ask

Is Gravity Sketch or WebXR Device API better?
Neither clearly leads. Gravity Sketch starts at Free and WebXR Device API at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Gravity Sketch or WebXR Device API?
Gravity Sketch starts at Free and WebXR Device API at Free.
Does Gravity Sketch or WebXR Device API run on more platforms?
Gravity Sketch runs on VR (Meta Quest, Steam, Web). WebXR Device API runs on Web, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Samsung Internet.
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 WebXR Device API is typically brought in for.
What can Gravity Sketch do that WebXR Device API cannot?
Gravity Sketch covers VR design, Desktop app, Surface modeling, Collaboration. WebXR Device API covers VR sessions, AR sessions, Input handling, Reference spaces.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

WebXR Device API: What is WebXR Device API?

WebXR Device API is a W3C web standard that enables developers to build immersive virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality experiences directly within web browsers without requiring native app installation.

Source
WebXR Device API: Which browsers support WebXR?

WebXR is supported in Chrome (desktop and mobile), Microsoft Edge (desktop), Firefox (desktop and mobile), and Safari on mobile. Safari on iOS does not implement WebXR natively but third-party apps like 8th Wall provide workarounds.

Source
WebXR Device API: Is WebXR hardware-dependent?

Yes, WebXR requires compatible VR/AR hardware such as Meta Quest headsets, HTC Vive, Microsoft HoloLens, or mobile AR-capable devices, but the same code can run on different hardware through the unified API.

Source
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