AR/VR & Metaverse · head to head
Snapchat AR vs Immersed
Snapchat AR
AR/VR & Metaverse
Social AR experiences and filters for everyone
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Snapchat AR limited to Snapchat and Spectacles ecosystem without Camera Kit; Immersed the free Starter Mode is limited to 3 virtual screens
- They diverge on capability: Snapchat AR covers Face tracking, Immersed covers Virtual monitors.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Snapchat AR and Immersed actually diverge.
| Attribute | Snapchat AR | Immersed |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, Spectacles | Vr, Quest, Pc |
| Founded | 2011 | 2017 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), 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 Snapchat AR
- Face tracking
- World tracking
- Body tracking
- Lens Studio
- AR Commerce
- Snap Camera
- Ar support
- Ios support
Only in Immersed
- Virtual monitors
- Passthrough
- Collaboration
- Mac/Windows
- Video calls
- Keyboard tracking
- Vr support
- Quest support
Both cover
- Hand tracking
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Snapchat AR
- VR Gamingnot Immersed
- AR Marketingnot Immersed
- Virtual Trainingnot Immersed
- 3D Visualizationnot Immersed
- Immersive Experiencesnot Immersed
Immersed
- Working with multiple virtual monitors inside a VR or mixed reality headsetnot Snapchat AR
- Remote co-working in a shared virtual officenot Snapchat AR
- Replacing physical monitors for laptop-based worknot Snapchat AR
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
Immersed
- The free Starter Mode is limited to 3 virtual screens
- Free screen resolutions are capped at standard sizes up to 1440x900
- The free tier rotates through only 2 alternating environments each week
- The free tier's 4 collaborator private rooms and offline mode are both marked as limited time only features
- Offline mode still requires a Wi-Fi connection at startup
- Immersed Pro starts at $5.99 per month billed monthly on a pay what you want slider
- A supported headset such as Apple Vision Pro or Quest 3 must be bought separately
Pricing, plan by plan
Snapchat AR
Free- FreeFree
- AR filters
- Face lenses
- World lenses
Immersed
Free- FreeFree
- 2 virtual monitors
- Basic environments
- Solo work
Which should you pick?
Choose Snapchat AR if
- You need face tracking.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android, Spectacles.
- You also want world tracking.
Choose Immersed if
- You need virtual monitors.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Vr, Quest, Pc.
- You also want passthrough.
Questions people ask
- Is Snapchat AR or Immersed better?
- Neither clearly leads. Snapchat AR starts at Free and Immersed at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Snapchat AR or Immersed?
- Snapchat AR starts at Free and Immersed at Free.
- Does Snapchat AR or Immersed run on more platforms?
- Snapchat AR runs on Web, iOS, Android, Spectacles. Immersed runs on Vr, Quest, Pc.
- 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. Of those, vr gaming and ar marketing are not what Immersed is typically brought in for.
- What can Snapchat AR do that Immersed cannot?
- Snapchat AR covers Face tracking, World tracking, Body tracking, Lens Studio. Immersed covers Virtual monitors, Passthrough, Collaboration, Mac/Windows. Both handle Hand tracking.
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.
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.
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.
Source