Softwr

AR VR · head to head

AltspaceVR vs Horizon Worlds

AltspaceVR logo

AltspaceVR

AR VR

Social VR platform for events and meetups

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Horizon Worlds logo

Horizon Worlds

AR VR

Meta's social metaverse platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: AltspaceVR shut down permanently on 10 March 2023. Microsoft closed it to concentrate on Microsoft Mesh, and altvr.com now redirects to microsoft.com; Horizon Worlds free to download but its full multiplayer VR experience requires Meta Quest headset hardware; the iOS/mobile app is a companion rather than a substitute for the headset
  • They diverge on capability: AltspaceVR covers Event hosting, Horizon Worlds covers Social spaces.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which AltspaceVR and Horizon Worlds actually diverge.

Attributes where AltspaceVR and Horizon Worlds differ
AttributeAltspaceVRHorizon Worlds
PlatformsVr, Pc, QuestVr, Quest
Founded19752004

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (free), free tier (Yes), 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 AltspaceVR

  • Event hosting
  • Avatar system
  • Spatial audio
  • Microsoft accounts
  • Streaming
  • Custom content
  • Pc support

Only in Horizon Worlds

  • Social spaces
  • Games
  • Events
  • Meta accounts
  • Quest integration
  • Creator tools

Both cover

  • World building
  • Vr support
  • Quest support

What people use each for

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

AltspaceVR

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

Horizon Worlds

  • 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.

AltspaceVR

  • Shut down permanently on 10 March 2023. Microsoft closed it to concentrate on Microsoft Mesh, and altvr.com now redirects to microsoft.com
  • Microsoft acquired it in 2017 and the closure came alongside wider cuts, so there is no path back
  • Mesh is aimed at business use rather than the consumer social VR AltspaceVR offered

Horizon Worlds

  • Free to download but its full multiplayer VR experience requires Meta Quest headset hardware; the iOS/mobile app is a companion rather than a substitute for the headset
  • Mobile app requires iOS 15.1 or later, per the App Store listing

Pricing, plan by plan

AltspaceVR

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Event hosting
    • World creation
    • Social features

Horizon Worlds

Free
  • FreeFree
    • World creation
    • Social features
    • Events

Which should you pick?

Choose AltspaceVR if

  • You need event hosting.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Vr, Pc, Quest.
  • You also want avatar system.
AltspaceVR review

Choose Horizon Worlds if

  • You need social spaces.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Vr, Quest.
  • You also want games.
Horizon Worlds review

Questions people ask

Is AltspaceVR or Horizon Worlds better?
Neither clearly leads. AltspaceVR starts at Free and Horizon Worlds at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, AltspaceVR or Horizon Worlds?
AltspaceVR starts at Free and Horizon Worlds at Free.
Does AltspaceVR or Horizon Worlds run on more platforms?
AltspaceVR runs on Vr, Pc, Quest. Horizon Worlds runs on Vr, Quest.
Can I use AltspaceVR for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is AltspaceVR best used for?
AltspaceVR is most often used for vr gaming, ar marketing, virtual training, 3d visualization.
What can AltspaceVR do that Horizon Worlds cannot?
AltspaceVR covers Event hosting, Avatar system, Spatial audio, Microsoft accounts. Horizon Worlds covers Social spaces, Games, Events, Meta accounts. Both handle World building, Vr support, Quest support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Horizon Worlds: Does Horizon Worlds have in-app purchases?

Horizon Worlds features in-app purchases, but specific pricing for these purchases is not disclosed on the Meta website.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on AltspaceVR

More on Horizon Worlds

Keep looking

Other head to heads