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AR/VR & Metaverse · head to head

Instagram AR Effects vs ShapesXR

Instagram AR Effects logo

Instagram AR Effects

AR/VR & Metaverse

Creative AR effects for Instagram Stories and Reels

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
ShapesXR logo

ShapesXR

AR/VR & Metaverse

Collaborative XR prototyping platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Instagram AR Effects meta shut down third party AR effect creation tools: "Meta Spark's platform of third party tools and content will no longer be available effective January 14, 2025"; ShapesXR the free Starter plan allows only 1 editable Space, 10 Frames per Space and 1 Viewpoint
  • They diverge on capability: Instagram AR Effects covers Face effects, ShapesXR covers XR prototyping.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Instagram AR Effects and ShapesXR actually diverge.

Attributes where Instagram AR Effects and ShapesXR differ
AttributeInstagram AR EffectsShapesXR
Pricing modelfreefreemium
PlatformsAr, Ios, AndroidVr, Ar, Quest, Web
Founded20042019

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 Instagram AR Effects

  • Face effects
  • World effects
  • Interactive filters
  • Beauty effects
  • Spark AR Studio
  • Instagram Stories
  • Reels
  • Ios support

Only in ShapesXR

  • XR prototyping
  • Real-time collaboration
  • Interactions
  • Asset library
  • Figma
  • Sketch
  • Adobe XD
  • Vr support

Both cover

  • Ar support

What people use each for

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

Instagram AR Effects

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

ShapesXR

  • Designing and prototyping spatial and XR interfaces in a headsetnot Instagram AR Effects
  • Reviewing 3D product designs in context with a distributed teamnot Instagram AR Effects
  • Bringing Figma designs into VR for spatial layoutnot Instagram AR Effects

Where each one falls short

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

Instagram AR Effects

  • Meta shut down third party AR effect creation tools: "Meta Spark's platform of third party tools and content will no longer be available effective January 14, 2025"

ShapesXR

  • The free Starter plan allows only 1 editable Space, 10 Frames per Space and 1 Viewpoint
  • The free Starter plan caps imports at 20MB and the canvas at 100 square metres
  • The Figma plugin, playable Figma prototypes and 200MB imports require a paid plan
  • Roles, permissions, presentation tools and a shared team asset library require the Business plan
  • Single sign on, multi-factor authentication and premium support are Enterprise only
  • No prices are published for the Professional, Business or Enterprise plans; each is Get a quote
  • The Business trial is 14 days

Pricing, plan by plan

Instagram AR Effects

Free
  • FreeFree
    • AR effects library
    • Effect creation
    • Publishing

ShapesXR

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 3 projects
    • Collaboration
    • Basic export

Which should you pick?

Choose Instagram AR Effects if

  • You need face effects.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Ar, Ios, Android.
  • You also want world effects.
Instagram AR Effects review

Choose ShapesXR if

  • You need xr prototyping.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Vr, Ar, Quest, Web.
  • You also want real-time collaboration.
ShapesXR review

Questions people ask

Is Instagram AR Effects or ShapesXR better?
Neither clearly leads. Instagram AR Effects starts at Free and ShapesXR at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Instagram AR Effects or ShapesXR?
Instagram AR Effects starts at Free and ShapesXR at Free.
Does Instagram AR Effects or ShapesXR run on more platforms?
Instagram AR Effects runs on Ar, Ios, Android. ShapesXR runs on Vr, Ar, Quest, Web.
Can I use Instagram AR Effects for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Instagram AR Effects best used for?
Instagram AR Effects is most often used for vr gaming, ar marketing, virtual training, 3d visualization. Of those, vr gaming and ar marketing are not what ShapesXR is typically brought in for.
What can Instagram AR Effects do that ShapesXR cannot?
Instagram AR Effects covers Face effects, World effects, Interactive filters, Beauty effects. ShapesXR covers XR prototyping, Real-time collaboration, Interactions, Asset library. Both handle Ar support.
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