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AR/VR & Metaverse · head to head

ShapesXR vs Spark AR Studio

ShapesXR logo

ShapesXR

AR/VR & Metaverse

Collaborative XR prototyping platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Spark AR Studio logo

Spark AR Studio

AR/VR & Metaverse

Professional AR effect creation for Meta platforms

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: ShapesXR the free Starter plan allows only 1 editable Space, 10 Frames per Space and 1 Viewpoint; Spark AR Studio 4MB file size limit compared to Lens Studio's 8MB
  • They diverge on capability: ShapesXR covers XR prototyping, Spark AR Studio covers Visual programming.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ShapesXR and Spark AR Studio actually diverge.

Attributes where ShapesXR and Spark AR Studio differ
AttributeShapesXRSpark AR Studio
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
PlatformsVr, Ar, Quest, WebDesktop
Founded20192004

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 ShapesXR

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

Only in Spark AR Studio

  • Visual programming
  • Face tracking
  • World effects
  • Scripting API
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Messenger
  • Meta Quest

Both cover

  • Ar support
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

ShapesXR

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

Spark AR Studio

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

Where each one falls short

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

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

Spark AR Studio

  • 4MB file size limit compared to Lens Studio's 8MB
  • No 3D body tracking capability unlike competing platforms
  • Limited to Instagram and Facebook ecosystem

Pricing, plan by plan

ShapesXR

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 3 projects
    • Collaboration
    • Basic export

Spark AR Studio

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Spark AR Studio review.

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Spark AR Studio if

  • You need visual programming.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Desktop.
  • You also want face tracking.
Spark AR Studio review

Questions people ask

Is ShapesXR or Spark AR Studio better?
Neither clearly leads. ShapesXR starts at Free and Spark AR Studio at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ShapesXR or Spark AR Studio?
ShapesXR starts at Free and Spark AR Studio at Free.
Does ShapesXR or Spark AR Studio run on more platforms?
ShapesXR runs on Vr, Ar, Quest, Web. Spark AR Studio runs on Desktop.
Can I use ShapesXR for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is ShapesXR best used for?
ShapesXR is most often used for designing and prototyping spatial and xr interfaces in a headset, reviewing 3d product designs in context with a distributed team, bringing figma designs into vr for spatial layout. Of those, designing and prototyping spatial and xr interfaces in a headset and reviewing 3d product designs in context with a distributed team are not what Spark AR Studio is typically brought in for.
What can ShapesXR do that Spark AR Studio cannot?
ShapesXR covers XR prototyping, Real-time collaboration, Interactions, Asset library. Spark AR Studio covers Visual programming, Face tracking, World effects, Scripting API. Both handle Ar support, Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Spark AR Studio: Is Spark AR Studio still available?

No. Meta announced it would shutter Spark AR at the start of 2026, ending support for new effect submissions.

Source
Spark AR Studio: Was Spark AR Studio free?

Yes. Meta Spark Studio was available as a free download for creating AR effects.

Spark AR Studio: What platforms did Spark AR support?

Spark AR Studio enabled building AR effects for Instagram and Facebook with optional code-based scripting.

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Related pages

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