Software · head to head
VRChat vs Bigscreen
The short version
- They diverge on capability: VRChat covers User-created worlds, Bigscreen covers Virtual theaters.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which VRChat and Bigscreen actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown), founded (2014).
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 VRChat
- User-created worlds
- Custom avatars
- Social features
- Cross-platform
- Unity SDK
- Blender
- Avatar systems
Only in Bigscreen
- Virtual theaters
- Social viewing
- Desktop streaming
- 3D movies
- Pluto TV
- Paramount+
- Desktop apps
- Psvr support
Both cover
- Vr support
- Pc support
- Quest support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
VRChat
- Social VR world building and avatar based hangouts, with VRChat Plus as an optional $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year subscription for enhanced featuresnot Bigscreen
Bigscreen
- VR Gamingnot VRChat
- AR Marketingnot VRChat
- Virtual Trainingnot VRChat
- 3D Visualizationnot VRChat
- Immersive Experiencesnot VRChat
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
VRChat
- VRChat Plus subscriptions are sold only through Steam and the Meta Quest Store, and the FAQ states neither platform permits refunds after purchase: "VRChat does not offer refunds for subscriptions after they are purchased."
Bigscreen
Nothing recorded yet. See the Bigscreen review.
Pricing, plan by plan
VRChat
Free- FreeFree
- Full access
- Avatar uploads
- World creation
Bigscreen
Free- FreeFree
- Social viewing
- Private rooms
- Desktop streaming
Which should you pick?
Choose VRChat if
- You need user-created worlds.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Vr, Pc, Quest.
- You also want custom avatars.
Choose Bigscreen if
- You need virtual theaters.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Vr, Pc, Quest, Psvr.
- You also want social viewing.
Questions people ask
- Is VRChat or Bigscreen better?
- Neither clearly leads. VRChat starts at Free and Bigscreen at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, VRChat or Bigscreen?
- VRChat starts at Free and Bigscreen at Free.
- Does VRChat or Bigscreen run on more platforms?
- VRChat runs on Vr, Pc, Quest. Bigscreen runs on Vr, Pc, Quest, Psvr.
- Can I use VRChat for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is VRChat best used for?
- VRChat is most often used for social vr world building and avatar based hangouts, with vrchat plus as an optional $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year subscription for enhanced features. Of those, social vr world building and avatar based hangouts, with vrchat plus as an optional $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year subscription for enhanced features is not what Bigscreen is typically brought in for.
- What can VRChat do that Bigscreen cannot?
- VRChat covers User-created worlds, Custom avatars, Social features, Cross-platform. Bigscreen covers Virtual theaters, Social viewing, Desktop streaming, 3D movies. Both handle Vr support, Pc support, Quest support.