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ShapesXR vs SteamVR

ShapesXR logo

ShapesXR

AR VR

Collaborative XR prototyping platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SteamVR logo

SteamVR

AR VR

Ultimate VR platform for PC gaming and experiences

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; SteamVR platform performance does not scale well on non-Valve Index headsets
  • They diverge on capability: ShapesXR covers XR prototyping, SteamVR covers Room-scale tracking.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ShapesXR and SteamVR actually diverge.

Attributes where ShapesXR and SteamVR differ
AttributeShapesXRSteamVR
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
PlatformsVr, Ar, Quest, WebWindows PC, Valve Index, HTC Vive, Windows Mixed Reality
Founded20191996

Identical on both: starting price (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 ShapesXR

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

Only in SteamVR

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

Both cover

  • Vr 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 SteamVR
  • Reviewing 3D product designs in context with a distributed teamnot SteamVR
  • Bringing Figma designs into VR for spatial layoutnot SteamVR

SteamVR

  • 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

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

ShapesXR

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 3 projects
    • Collaboration
    • Basic export

SteamVR

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the SteamVR 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 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 ShapesXR or SteamVR better?
Neither clearly leads. ShapesXR 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, ShapesXR or SteamVR?
ShapesXR starts at Free and SteamVR at Free.
Does ShapesXR or SteamVR run on more platforms?
ShapesXR runs on Vr, Ar, Quest, Web. SteamVR runs on Windows PC, Valve Index, HTC Vive, Windows Mixed Reality.
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 SteamVR is typically brought in for.
What can ShapesXR do that SteamVR cannot?
ShapesXR covers XR prototyping, Real-time collaboration, Interactions, Asset library. SteamVR covers Room-scale tracking, Lighthouse tracking, Multi-headset support, VR compositor. Both handle Vr support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

ShapesXR: How much does ShapesXR cost?

ShapesXR offers a free Starter tier and paid Professional, Business, and Enterprise tiers. Specific pricing for paid tiers is not published and requires requesting a quote from ShapesXR's sales team.

Source
SteamVR: Is SteamVR free?

Yes, SteamVR is free to download and use. You only need the Steam desktop application installed to access it.

Source
ShapesXR: What is included in ShapesXR's free Starter plan?

The free Starter tier includes 1 editable space, 10 frames per space, 20 MB imports, and access to all creation tools. This allows discovery of ShapesXR's core capabilities at no cost.

Source
SteamVR: What headsets work with SteamVR?

SteamVR supports Valve Index, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Windows Mixed Reality headsets, and other compatible devices.

Source
ShapesXR: Is there a free trial for ShapesXR's paid plans?

Yes, Business plan includes a 14-day free trial with no credit card required, allowing evaluation of team collaboration and permissions features before purchasing.

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
ShapesXR: What are the differences between ShapesXR's paid tiers?

Professional offers unlimited creation with higher import limits (50 MB). Business adds unlimited spaces/frames (200 MB imports) with team collaboration. Enterprise includes all Business features plus SSO, MFA, advanced security, premium support, and a dedicated consultant.

Source
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