Software · head to head
Spatial vs AltspaceVR
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Spatial pricing page shows no plan tiers or figures; the only actions offered are Try for Free and Contact Sales, gating price behind a sales conversation; AltspaceVR shut down permanently on 10 March 2023. Microsoft closed it to concentrate on Microsoft Mesh, and altvr.com now redirects to microsoft.com
- They diverge on capability: Spatial covers 3D space creation, AltspaceVR covers Event hosting.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Spatial and AltspaceVR actually diverge.
| Attribute | Spatial | AltspaceVR |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | freemium | free |
| Platforms | Web, Mobile, Vr | Vr, Pc, Quest |
| Founded | 2016 | 1975 |
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 Spatial
- 3D space creation
- NFT display
- Events
- Commerce
- Web3 wallets
- NFT marketplaces
- Web support
- Mobile support
Only in AltspaceVR
- Event hosting
- World building
- Avatar system
- Spatial audio
- Microsoft accounts
- Custom content
- Pc support
- Quest support
Both cover
- Streaming
- Vr support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Spatial
- Teams wanting virtual/AR meeting spaces who are prepared to contact sales for pricingnot AltspaceVR
AltspaceVR
- VR Gamingnot Spatial
- AR Marketingnot Spatial
- Virtual Trainingnot Spatial
- 3D Visualizationnot Spatial
- Immersive Experiencesnot Spatial
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Spatial
- Pricing page shows no plan tiers or figures; the only actions offered are Try for Free and Contact Sales, gating price behind a sales conversation
AltspaceVR
- Shut down permanently on 10 March 2023. Microsoft closed it to concentrate on Microsoft Mesh, and altvr.com now redirects to microsoft.com
- Microsoft acquired it in 2017 and the closure came alongside wider cuts, so there is no path back
- Mesh is aimed at business use rather than the consumer social VR AltspaceVR offered
Pricing, plan by plan
Spatial
Free- FreeFree
- Space creation
- NFT galleries
- Social features
AltspaceVR
Free- FreeFree
- Event hosting
- World creation
- Social features
Which should you pick?
Choose Spatial if
- You need 3d space creation.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Mobile, Vr.
- You also want nft display.
Choose AltspaceVR if
- You need event hosting.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Vr, Pc, Quest.
- You also want world building.
Questions people ask
- Is Spatial or AltspaceVR better?
- Neither clearly leads. Spatial starts at Free and AltspaceVR at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Spatial or AltspaceVR?
- Spatial starts at Free and AltspaceVR at Free.
- Does Spatial or AltspaceVR run on more platforms?
- Spatial runs on Web, Mobile, Vr. AltspaceVR runs on Vr, Pc, Quest.
- Can I use Spatial for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Spatial best used for?
- Spatial is most often used for teams wanting virtual/ar meeting spaces who are prepared to contact sales for pricing. Of those, teams wanting virtual/ar meeting spaces who are prepared to contact sales for pricing is not what AltspaceVR is typically brought in for.
- What can Spatial do that AltspaceVR cannot?
- Spatial covers 3D space creation, NFT display, Events, Commerce. AltspaceVR covers Event hosting, World building, Avatar system, Spatial audio. Both handle Streaming, Vr support.