Software · head to head
Snapchat AR vs ARKit
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Snapchat AR limited to Snapchat and Spectacles ecosystem without Camera Kit; ARKit iOS-only platform, not available for Android or other operating systems
- They diverge on capability: Snapchat AR covers Hand tracking, ARKit covers LiDAR support.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Snapchat AR and ARKit actually diverge.
| Attribute | Snapchat AR | ARKit |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | freemium | free |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, Spectacles | iOS, iPadOS, macOS, visionOS |
| Founded | 2011 | 1976 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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 Snapchat AR
- Hand tracking
- Lens Studio
- AR Commerce
- Snap Camera
- Android support
- Web support
Only in ARKit
- LiDAR support
- RealityKit
- Reality Composer
- SceneKit
- Ipados support
- Visionos support
Both cover
- Face tracking
- World tracking
- Body tracking
- Ar support
- Ios support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Snapchat AR
- VR Gaming
- AR Marketing
- Virtual Training
- 3D Visualization
- Immersive Experiences
ARKit
- 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.
Snapchat AR
- Limited to Snapchat and Spectacles ecosystem without Camera Kit
- Requires JavaScript or TypeScript knowledge for advanced effects
- Monetization requires meeting minimum performance thresholds
- Face tracking effects work best with optimal lighting
ARKit
- iOS-only platform, not available for Android or other operating systems
- Location-based AR accuracy limited to 3-5 meters, insufficient for precise applications
- Cannot handle very fast motion capture
- Accuracy varies with lighting conditions and surface characteristics
- Requires iOS 11 or later and specific device hardware
Pricing, plan by plan
Snapchat AR
Free- FreeFree
- AR filters
- Face lenses
- World lenses
ARKit
Free- FreeFree
- Full SDK
- Documentation
- Sample code
Which should you pick?
Choose Snapchat AR if
- You need hand tracking.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android, Spectacles.
- You also want lens studio.
Choose ARKit if
- You need lidar support.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on iOS, iPadOS, macOS, visionOS.
- You also want realitykit.
Questions people ask
- Is Snapchat AR or ARKit better?
- Neither clearly leads. Snapchat AR starts at Free and ARKit at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Snapchat AR or ARKit?
- Snapchat AR starts at Free and ARKit at Free.
- Does Snapchat AR or ARKit run on more platforms?
- Snapchat AR runs on Web, iOS, Android, Spectacles. ARKit runs on iOS, iPadOS, macOS, visionOS.
- Can I use Snapchat AR for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Snapchat AR best used for?
- Snapchat AR is most often used for vr gaming, ar marketing, virtual training, 3d visualization.
- What can Snapchat AR do that ARKit cannot?
- Snapchat AR covers Hand tracking, Lens Studio, AR Commerce, Snap Camera. ARKit covers LiDAR support, RealityKit, Reality Composer, SceneKit. Both handle Face tracking, World tracking, Body tracking, Ar support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Snapchat AR: Is Lens Studio free?
Yes. Lens Studio is Snap AR's free AR development platform for creating augmented reality experiences for Snapchat, Spectacles, and web applications through Camera Kit.
SourceARKit: Is ARKit free to use?
Yes, ARKit is free to use. It is included in Apple's iOS SDK and requires only Xcode and a Mac to start building AR apps. There are no licensing fees or subscription costs.
SourceSnapchat AR: Can I monetize AR experiences created with Lens Studio?
Yes. Creators can participate in the Lens Creator Rewards Program to earn payouts based on lens performance. Lens+ provides additional monetization options for premium lenses.
SourceARKit: What iOS devices support ARKit?
ARKit is supported on iPhone 6s and later, iPad Pro models, and the latest iPad models. It requires iOS 11 or later. Apple Vision Pro also supports ARKit with enhanced capabilities through visionOS.
SourceSnapchat AR: What features does Lens Studio include?
Lens Studio includes AR development tools, face tracking effects, generative AI for creating assets and ML models, 3D body morphing, and integrations with Snapchat, Spectacles, and mobile/web through Camera Kit.
SourceARKit: Can ARKit work offline?
ARKit can function offline for tracking and scene understanding since these operations run locally on the device. However, multiplayer AR features and cloud-based object detection require internet connectivity.
SourceARKit: Does ARKit integrate with game engines?
Yes, ARKit integrates with Unity through the Unity ARKit Plugin and with Unreal Engine. Developers can also use it with Metal, SceneKit, and Apple's RealityKit framework.
SourceARKit: What are ARKit's limitations with location-based AR?
ARKit's location-based positioning has accuracy limitations. Image-based positioning is primarily useful in urban areas, and beacon-based navigation provides accuracy of 3-5 meters, which is insufficient for precise AR applications requiring 1-meter accuracy or better.
Source