AR/VR & Metaverse · head to head
Snapchat AR vs Medium by Adobe
Snapchat AR
AR/VR & Metaverse
Social AR experiences and filters for everyone
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Medium by Adobe
AR/VR & Metaverse
Sculpt in VR with intuitive tools
- From
- $9.99/month
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Snapchat AR has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- They diverge on capability: Snapchat AR covers Face tracking, Medium by Adobe covers VR sculpting.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Snapchat AR and Medium by Adobe actually diverge.
| Attribute | Snapchat AR | Medium by Adobe |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $9.99/month |
| Pricing model | freemium | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, Spectacles | Vr, Quest |
| Founded | 2011 | 1982 |
Identical on both: 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
- Hand tracking
- Lens Studio
- AR Commerce
- Snap Camera
- Ar support
Only in Medium by Adobe
- VR sculpting
- Layer system
- Stamps
- Move tool
- Adobe Creative Cloud
- Substance
- FBX export
- Vr 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
Medium by Adobe
- 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
Medium by Adobe
Nothing recorded yet. See the Medium by Adobe review.
Pricing, plan by plan
Snapchat AR
Free- FreeFree
- AR filters
- Face lenses
- World lenses
Medium by Adobe
$9.99/month- Medium$9.99/month
- Full sculpting tools
- Export
- Adobe integration
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 Medium by Adobe if
- You need vr sculpting.
- You work on Vr, Quest.
- You also want layer system.
Questions people ask
- Is Snapchat AR or Medium by Adobe better?
- Neither clearly leads. Snapchat AR starts at Free and Medium by Adobe at $9.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Snapchat AR or Medium by Adobe?
- Snapchat AR has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Snapchat AR and $9.99/month for Medium by Adobe.
- Does Snapchat AR or Medium by Adobe run on more platforms?
- Snapchat AR runs on Web, iOS, Android, Spectacles. Medium by Adobe runs on Vr, Quest.
- Can I use Snapchat AR for free?
- Yes. Snapchat AR has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Medium by Adobe starts at $9.99/month.
- 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 Medium by Adobe cannot?
- Snapchat AR covers Face tracking, World tracking, Body tracking, Hand tracking. Medium by Adobe covers VR sculpting, Layer system, Stamps, Move tool.
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