AR/VR & Metaverse · head to head
Tilt Brush vs AltspaceVR
AltspaceVR
AR/VR & Metaverse
Social VR platform for events and meetups
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Tilt Brush no longer actively developed by Google since January 2021; future updates and support are not guaranteed; 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: Tilt Brush covers 3D painting, AltspaceVR covers Event hosting.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Tilt Brush and AltspaceVR actually diverge.
| Attribute | Tilt Brush | AltspaceVR |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Unknown | free |
| Platforms | HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest, Windows Mixed Reality, Valve Index, PlayStation VR | Vr, Pc, Quest |
| Founded | 2016 | 1975 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Tilt Brush
- 3D painting
- Dynamic brushes
- Environment selection
- Animation
- Google Poly
- Sketchfab
- YouTube VR
Only in AltspaceVR
- Event hosting
- World building
- Avatar system
- Spatial audio
- Microsoft accounts
- Streaming
- Custom content
Both cover
- Vr support
- Pc support
- Quest support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Tilt Brush
- VR Gaming
- AR Marketing
- Virtual Training
- 3D Visualization
- Immersive Experiences
AltspaceVR
- 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.
Tilt Brush
- No longer actively developed by Google since January 2021; future updates and support are not guaranteed
- Limited editing capabilities with no layers system and no 3D brushes for precise refinement
- Not designed for professional branding or marketing work; better suited for creative expression than practical design
- Tool limitations make it difficult to move, cut, or rearrange grouped elements after creation
- VR hardware costs are high relative to software cost, and can cause motion sickness in some users
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
Tilt Brush
Free- Google Tilt Brush$19.99/one-time
- VR painting and creative tools
- Available on VR app stores
- Open Brush (open-source)Free
- Free open-source version
- Available on Steam and Meta Quest
AltspaceVR
Free- FreeFree
- Event hosting
- World creation
- Social features
Which should you pick?
Choose Tilt Brush if
- You need 3d painting.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest, Windows Mixed Reality, Valve Index, PlayStation VR.
- You also want dynamic brushes.
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 Tilt Brush or AltspaceVR better?
- Neither clearly leads. Tilt Brush 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, Tilt Brush or AltspaceVR?
- Tilt Brush starts at Free and AltspaceVR at Free.
- Does Tilt Brush or AltspaceVR run on more platforms?
- Tilt Brush runs on HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest, Windows Mixed Reality, Valve Index, PlayStation VR. AltspaceVR runs on Vr, Pc, Quest.
- Can I use Tilt Brush for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Tilt Brush best used for?
- Tilt Brush is most often used for vr gaming, ar marketing, virtual training, 3d visualization.
- What can Tilt Brush do that AltspaceVR cannot?
- Tilt Brush covers 3D painting, Dynamic brushes, Environment selection, Animation. AltspaceVR covers Event hosting, World building, Avatar system, Spatial audio. Both handle Vr support, Pc support, Quest support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Tilt Brush: Is Tilt Brush still available to use?
Yes. Although Google ended active development in January 2021, Tilt Brush remains available on VR app stores and continues to function. Google also open-sourced the code, enabling community-maintained alternatives like Open Brush to provide free versions for PC VR and Meta Quest.
SourceTilt Brush: Is there a free version of Tilt Brush?
The official Google Tilt Brush costs $19.99. However, Open Brush (the open-source community version) is completely free and available for PC VR via Steam and on Oculus Quest.
SourceTilt Brush: What VR headsets does Tilt Brush support?
Tilt Brush works on HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest, Windows Mixed Reality, Valve Index, and PlayStation VR. The open-source Open Brush version also supports PC VR.
SourceTilt Brush: Can I export my Tilt Brush creations?
Yes. Tilt Brush creations can be exported as room-scale VR pieces or animated GIFs to share with others. The app does not support direct export to 3D model formats like OBJ or FBX.
SourceTilt Brush: Is Tilt Brush good for professional 3D design work?
Tilt Brush is primarily a creative expression and painting tool rather than a professional 3D design tool. It lacks features like layers, editable 3D brushes, and precise refinement controls needed for professional workflows. For professional VR sculpting, Adobe Medium or Quill are better choices.
SourceRelated pages
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- AltspaceVR vs Apple Vision Pro
- AltspaceVR vs Unity AR Foundation
- AltspaceVR vs HTC Vive
- AltspaceVR vs 8th Wall
- AltspaceVR vs Lens Studio
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- AltspaceVR vs A-Frame
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- AltspaceVR vs Gravity Sketch
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