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WebXR Device API vs Wikitude

WebXR Device API logo

WebXR Device API

AR VR

W3C standard for VR and AR on the web

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 WebXR Device API has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: WebXR Device API safari on iOS does not support WebXR natively, limiting reach for iPhone and iPad users; Wikitude service discontinued September 21, 2024 - no longer available for purchase or use
  • They diverge on capability: WebXR Device API covers VR sessions, Wikitude covers Image tracking.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which WebXR Device API and Wikitude actually diverge.

Attributes where WebXR Device API and Wikitude differ
AttributeWebXR Device APIWikitude
Starting priceFree€2490/year
Pricing modelfreesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Samsung InternetAr, Ios, Android, Smart-glasses
Founded19942008

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 WebXR Device API

  • VR sessions
  • AR sessions
  • Input handling
  • Reference spaces
  • Chrome
  • Firefox
  • Edge
  • Quest Browser

Only in Wikitude

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

Both cover

  • Ar support

What people use each for

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

WebXR Device API

  • 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.

WebXR Device API

  • Safari on iOS does not support WebXR natively, limiting reach for iPhone and iPad users
  • Requires compatible VR/AR hardware which limits adoption to users with VR headsets or AR-capable mobile devices
  • Browser support still emerging with some features being experimental or not widely implemented across all browsers

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

WebXR Device API

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Open standard
    • Browser support
    • Specification

Wikitude

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

Which should you pick?

Choose WebXR Device API if

  • You need vr sessions.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Samsung Internet.
  • You also want ar sessions.
WebXR Device API 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 WebXR Device API or Wikitude better?
Neither clearly leads. WebXR Device API 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, WebXR Device API or Wikitude?
WebXR Device API has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for WebXR Device API and €2490/year for Wikitude.
Does WebXR Device API or Wikitude run on more platforms?
WebXR Device API runs on Web, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Samsung Internet. Wikitude runs on Ar, Ios, Android, Smart-glasses.
Can I use WebXR Device API for free?
Yes. WebXR Device API has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Wikitude starts at €2490/year.
What is WebXR Device API best used for?
WebXR Device API is most often used for vr gaming, ar marketing, virtual training, 3d visualization.
What can WebXR Device API do that Wikitude cannot?
WebXR Device API covers VR sessions, AR sessions, Input handling, Reference spaces. Wikitude covers Image tracking, Instant tracking, Object recognition, Geo AR. Both handle Ar support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

WebXR Device API: What is WebXR Device API?

WebXR Device API is a W3C web standard that enables developers to build immersive virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality experiences directly within web browsers without requiring native app installation.

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
WebXR Device API: Which browsers support WebXR?

WebXR is supported in Chrome (desktop and mobile), Microsoft Edge (desktop), Firefox (desktop and mobile), and Safari on mobile. Safari on iOS does not implement WebXR natively but third-party apps like 8th Wall provide workarounds.

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
WebXR Device API: Is WebXR hardware-dependent?

Yes, WebXR requires compatible VR/AR hardware such as Meta Quest headsets, HTC Vive, Microsoft HoloLens, or mobile AR-capable devices, but the same code can run on different hardware through the unified API.

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
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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