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AR VR · head to head

Three.js vs Wikitude

Three.js logo

Three.js

AR VR

JavaScript 3D library for WebGL and WebXR

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Wikitude logo

Wikitude

AR VR

Cross-platform AR SDK for mobile applications

From
€2490/year
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; Wikitude service discontinued September 21, 2024 - no longer available for purchase or use
  • They diverge on capability: Three.js covers WebGL rendering, Wikitude covers Image tracking.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Three.js and Wikitude differ
AttributeThree.jsWikitude
Starting priceFree€2490/year
Pricing modelfreesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, AndroidAr, Ios, Android, Smart-glasses
Founded20102008

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 Wikitude

  • Image tracking
  • Instant tracking
  • Object recognition
  • Geo AR
  • Unity
  • Cordova
  • Xamarin
  • Flutter

What people use each for

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

Three.js

  • VR Gaming
  • AR Marketing
  • Virtual Training
  • 3D Visualization
  • Immersive Experiences

Wikitude

  • 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.

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

Wikitude

  • Service discontinued September 21, 2024 - no longer available for purchase or use
  • All developer and cloud services shut down permanently
  • Apps built with Wikitude lost backend functionality after shutdown
  • No migration path provided to successor platform

Pricing, plan by plan

Three.js

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full library
    • WebXR module
    • Examples

Wikitude

€2490/year
  • Pro$2490/year
    • All tracking features
    • Cloud recognition
    • Support

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 Wikitude if

  • You need image tracking.
  • You work on Ar, Ios, Android, Smart-glasses.
  • You also want instant tracking.
Wikitude review

Questions people ask

Is Three.js or Wikitude better?
Neither clearly leads. Three.js starts at Free and Wikitude at €2490/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Three.js or Wikitude?
Three.js has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Three.js and €2490/year for Wikitude.
Does Three.js or Wikitude run on more platforms?
Three.js runs on Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android. Wikitude runs on Ar, Ios, Android, Smart-glasses.
Can I use Three.js for free?
Yes. Three.js has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Wikitude starts at €2490/year.
What is Three.js best used for?
Three.js is most often used for vr gaming, ar marketing, virtual training, 3d visualization.
What can Three.js do that Wikitude cannot?
Three.js covers WebGL rendering, Scene graph, Materials system, Animation system. Wikitude covers Image tracking, Instant tracking, Object recognition, Geo AR.

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
Wikitude: Is Wikitude AR SDK still available?

No. Wikitude services were permanently shut down on September 21, 2024. All Wikitude mobile SDK, Studio, Cloud, and API services are no longer available, and stored data became inaccessible.

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
Wikitude: Why did Wikitude shut down?

Qualcomm, which acquired Wikitude in 2021, decided to retire the Wikitude brand and consolidate AR development into Snapdragon Spaces XR Developer Platform, focusing exclusively on headworn AR experiences.

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
Wikitude: What happened to apps built with Wikitude?

More than 40,000 mobile apps were created using Wikitude SDK and delivered to millions of users. After the September 2024 shutdown, these apps no longer have access to Wikitude backend services, though the apps themselves may continue functioning with local features.

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
Wikitude: When was Wikitude acquired by Qualcomm?

Qualcomm acquired Wikitude in 2021. The acquisition consolidated Qualcomm's AR strategy, leading to the 2024 decision to discontinue mobile AR services.

Source
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