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AR VR · head to head

Three.js vs Virbela

Three.js logo

Three.js

AR VR

JavaScript 3D library for WebGL and WebXR

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Virbela logo

Virbela

AR VR

Enterprise virtual world platform

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Three.js has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Three.js forward rendering pipeline only, no deferred rendering support; Virbela cloud-only version (Virbela Go) limited to small-to-medium scale events
  • They diverge on capability: Three.js covers WebGL rendering, Virbela covers 3D virtual campuses.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Three.js and Virbela actually diverge.

Attributes where Three.js and Virbela differ
AttributeThree.jsVirbela
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, AndroidWeb, Desktop (downloadable application)
Founded20102012

Identical on both: 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 Three.js

  • WebGL rendering
  • Scene graph
  • Materials system
  • Animation system
  • WebXR
  • Post-processing
  • Physics
  • Loaders

Only in Virbela

  • 3D virtual campuses
  • Event venues
  • Collaboration tools
  • Custom branding
  • Zoom
  • Calendar systems
  • LMS platforms
  • Pc support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Three.js

  • VR Gamingnot Virbela
  • AR Marketingnot Virbela
  • Virtual Trainingnot Virbela
  • 3D Visualizationnot Virbela
  • Immersive Experiencesnot Virbela

Virbela

  • Virtual office environment for remote teamsnot Three.js
  • Enterprise virtual events and conferencesnot Three.js
  • Immersive collaboration at scalenot Three.js
  • Virtual workspace for distributed organisationsnot Three.js

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Three.js

  • Forward rendering pipeline only, no deferred rendering support
  • No built-in collision detection or spatial indexing, requiring external physics libraries
  • WebGL dependency means no support for non-WebGL environments

Virbela

  • Cloud-only version (Virbela Go) limited to small-to-medium scale events
  • Specific feature limitations and pricing not clearly documented on main website
  • Pricing structure requires sales contact for enterprise deployment

Pricing, plan by plan

Three.js

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full library
    • WebXR module
    • Examples

Virbela

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Virbela review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Three.js if

  • You need webgl rendering.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android.
  • You also want scene graph.
Three.js review

Choose Virbela if

  • You need 3d virtual campuses.
  • You work on Web, Desktop (downloadable application).
  • You also want event venues.
Virbela review

Questions people ask

Is Three.js or Virbela better?
Neither clearly leads. Three.js starts at Free and Virbela at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Three.js or Virbela?
Three.js has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Three.js and On request for Virbela.
Does Three.js or Virbela run on more platforms?
Three.js runs on Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android. Virbela runs on Web, Desktop (downloadable application).
Can I use Three.js for free?
Yes. Three.js has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Virbela starts at On request.
What is Three.js best used for?
Three.js is most often used for vr gaming, ar marketing, virtual training, 3d visualization. Of those, vr gaming and ar marketing are not what Virbela is typically brought in for.
What can Three.js do that Virbela cannot?
Three.js covers WebGL rendering, Scene graph, Materials system, Animation system. Virbela covers 3D virtual campuses, Event venues, Collaboration tools, Custom branding.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Three.js: Is Three.js free to use?

Yes. Three.js is released under the MIT license, an open-source license that permits unlimited commercial and personal use with no licensing fees.

Source
Virbela: What pricing does Virbela Go offer?

Virbela Go uses straightforward monthly pricing for quick collaboration and small-to-medium events, but exact prices are not disclosed on the website. A free trial access is available through the Try for Free button.

Source
Three.js: Does Three.js include physics simulation?

No. Three.js is a rendering library only. Physics, collision detection, and spatial indexing must be implemented with external libraries like Rapier, Ammo, or JoltPhysics.

Source
Virbela: How is Virbela enterprise pricing structured?

Enterprise Virbela (downloadable version) uses custom pricing tailored to your organization's scale and persistent virtual campus needs. Contact sales at 1-844-714-4210 for a quote.

Source
Three.js: Can I use Three.js for offline development?

Yes. Local development requires a local web server for CORS compliance. You can use npm with a build tool like Vite, or run a local Python server for development.

Source
Three.js: Does Three.js support WebXR for VR/AR?

Yes. Three.js documentation includes WebXR APIs for building VR and AR experiences in web browsers.

Source
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