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AR VR · head to head

Three.js vs Xreal Air

Three.js logo

Three.js

AR VR

JavaScript 3D library for WebGL and WebXR

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Xreal Air logo

Xreal Air

AR VR

Wearable AR display glasses for everyday use

From
$199/one-time
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; Xreal Air no integrated battery; requires tethered connection to external device for operation
  • They diverge on capability: Three.js covers WebGL rendering, Xreal Air covers Micro-OLED displays.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Three.js and Xreal Air actually diverge.

Attributes where Three.js and Xreal Air differ
AttributeThree.jsXreal Air
Starting priceFree$199/one-time
Pricing modelfreeUnknown
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, AndroidiOS, Android, Windows, macOS
Founded20102017

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 Xreal Air

  • Micro-OLED displays
  • Spatial display
  • Lightweight design
  • 6DoF tracking
  • Nebula app
  • Gaming consoles
  • Smartphones
  • Ar support

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

Xreal Air

  • 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

Xreal Air

  • No integrated battery; requires tethered connection to external device for operation
  • Narrow 46-degree field of view on existing Air models limits immersive experience compared to Vision Pro's wider viewing area
  • Not a standalone device; cannot run applications independently without source device
  • Limited hand tracking capabilities compared to Apple Vision Pro which has integrated eye and hand tracking

Pricing, plan by plan

Three.js

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full library
    • WebXR module
    • Examples

Xreal Air

$199/one-time

No published plan breakdown. See the Xreal Air 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 Xreal Air if

  • You need micro-oled displays.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Windows, macOS.
  • You also want spatial display.
Xreal Air review

Questions people ask

Is Three.js or Xreal Air better?
Neither clearly leads. Three.js starts at Free and Xreal Air at $199/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Three.js or Xreal Air?
Three.js has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Three.js and $199/one-time for Xreal Air.
Does Three.js or Xreal Air run on more platforms?
Three.js runs on Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android. Xreal Air runs on iOS, Android, Windows, macOS.
Can I use Three.js for free?
Yes. Three.js has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Xreal Air starts at $199/one-time.
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 Xreal Air cannot?
Three.js covers WebGL rendering, Scene graph, Materials system, Animation system. Xreal Air covers Micro-OLED displays, Spatial display, Lightweight design, 6DoF tracking.

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
Xreal Air: Does Xreal Air require a power source or battery?

No. Xreal Air glasses do not have their own battery and require a tethered connection to a source device like a smartphone, laptop, or gaming console to function, making them dependent on the host device's power.

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
Xreal Air: What devices can Xreal Air connect to?

Xreal Air glasses connect to smartphones, tablets, PCs, and gaming devices that support video output or wireless casting. On Mac systems, Nebula integrates as a display extension enabling multi-screen workflows.

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
Xreal Air: What is the field of view on Xreal Air?

The Xreal Air 2 Pro has a 46-degree field of view at 1920x1080 per-eye resolution, while the newer Xreal Aura offers a 70-degree diagonal field of view with 1,920 x 1,200 resolution per eye at up to 120Hz.

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
Xreal Air: What is the starting price for Xreal AR glasses?

Xreal AR glasses start at $199 USD for entry-level models, with the Xreal Aura flagship device launching in fall 2026 at a maximum retail price of $1,500 before taxes.

Source
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