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AR/VR & Metaverse · head to head

Virtual Desktop vs Horizon Worlds

Virtual Desktop logo

Virtual Desktop

AR/VR & Metaverse

Stream your PC to VR wirelessly

From
$19.99/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Horizon Worlds logo

Horizon Worlds

AR/VR & Metaverse

Meta's social metaverse platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Horizon Worlds has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Virtual Desktop requires 5 GHz Wi-Fi connection for optimal performance; Horizon Worlds free to download but its full multiplayer VR experience requires Meta Quest headset hardware; the iOS/mobile app is a companion rather than a substitute for the headset
  • They diverge on capability: Virtual Desktop covers Wireless PC VR, Horizon Worlds covers World building.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Virtual Desktop and Horizon Worlds actually diverge.

Attributes where Virtual Desktop and Horizon Worlds differ
AttributeVirtual DesktopHorizon Worlds
Starting price$19.99/one-timeFree
Pricing modelone-timefree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsMeta Quest, Pico, HTC Vive, Valve Index, Windows Mixed Reality, Samsung Galaxy XRVr, Quest
Founded20162004

Identical on both: 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 Virtual Desktop

  • Wireless PC VR
  • Desktop streaming
  • Virtual environments
  • Low latency
  • SteamVR
  • Oculus PC
  • Windows desktop
  • Pc support

Only in Horizon Worlds

  • World building
  • Social spaces
  • Games
  • Events
  • Meta accounts
  • Quest integration
  • Creator tools

Both cover

  • Vr support
  • Quest support

What people use each for

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

Virtual Desktop

  • Streaming PC desktop to VR headsetsnot Horizon Worlds
  • Playing games in virtual cinema environmentnot Horizon Worlds
  • Watching movies on giant virtual screensnot Horizon Worlds
  • Browsing web content in VRnot Horizon Worlds

Horizon Worlds

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

Where each one falls short

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

Virtual Desktop

  • Requires 5 GHz Wi-Fi connection for optimal performance
  • VR-ready GPU needed for high-quality game streaming

Horizon Worlds

  • Free to download but its full multiplayer VR experience requires Meta Quest headset hardware; the iOS/mobile app is a companion rather than a substitute for the headset
  • Mobile app requires iOS 15.1 or later, per the App Store listing

Pricing, plan by plan

Virtual Desktop

$19.99/one-time
  • Virtual Desktop$19.99/one-time
    • PC streaming
    • VR gaming
    • Virtual screens

Horizon Worlds

Free
  • FreeFree
    • World creation
    • Social features
    • Events

Which should you pick?

Choose Virtual Desktop if

  • You need wireless pc vr.
  • You work on Meta Quest, Pico, HTC Vive, Valve Index, Windows Mixed Reality, Samsung Galaxy XR.
  • You also want desktop streaming.
Virtual Desktop review

Choose Horizon Worlds if

  • You need world building.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Vr, Quest.
  • You also want social spaces.
Horizon Worlds review

Questions people ask

Is Virtual Desktop or Horizon Worlds better?
Neither clearly leads. Virtual Desktop starts at $19.99/one-time and Horizon Worlds at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Virtual Desktop or Horizon Worlds?
Horizon Worlds has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $19.99/one-time for Virtual Desktop and Free for Horizon Worlds.
Does Virtual Desktop or Horizon Worlds run on more platforms?
Virtual Desktop runs on Meta Quest, Pico, HTC Vive, Valve Index, Windows Mixed Reality, Samsung Galaxy XR. Horizon Worlds runs on Vr, Quest.
Can I use Horizon Worlds for free?
Yes. Horizon Worlds has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Virtual Desktop starts at $19.99/one-time.
What is Virtual Desktop best used for?
Virtual Desktop is most often used for streaming pc desktop to vr headsets, playing games in virtual cinema environment, watching movies on giant virtual screens, browsing web content in vr. Of those, streaming pc desktop to vr headsets and playing games in virtual cinema environment are not what Horizon Worlds is typically brought in for.
What can Virtual Desktop do that Horizon Worlds cannot?
Virtual Desktop covers Wireless PC VR, Desktop streaming, Virtual environments, Low latency. Horizon Worlds covers World building, Social spaces, Games, Events. Both handle Vr support, Quest support.
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