Software · head to head
Xreal Air vs AltspaceVR
Xreal Air
Software
Wearable AR display glasses for everyday use
- From
- $199/one-time
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only AltspaceVR has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Xreal Air no integrated battery; requires tethered connection to external device for operation; 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: Xreal Air covers Micro-OLED displays, AltspaceVR covers Event hosting.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Xreal Air and AltspaceVR actually diverge.
| Attribute | Xreal Air | AltspaceVR |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $199/one-time | Free |
| Pricing model | Unknown | free |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | iOS, Android, Windows, macOS | Vr, Pc, Quest |
| Founded | 2017 | 1975 |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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 Xreal Air
- Micro-OLED displays
- Spatial display
- Lightweight design
- 6DoF tracking
- Nebula app
- Gaming consoles
- Smartphones
- Ar support
Only in AltspaceVR
- Event hosting
- World building
- Avatar system
- Spatial audio
- Microsoft accounts
- Streaming
- Custom content
- Vr support
Both cover
- Pc support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Xreal Air
- 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.
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
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
Xreal Air
$199/one-timeNo published plan breakdown. See the Xreal Air review.
AltspaceVR
Free- FreeFree
- Event hosting
- World creation
- Social features
Which should you pick?
Choose Xreal Air if
- You need micro-oled displays.
- You work on iOS, Android, Windows, macOS.
- You also want spatial display.
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 Xreal Air or AltspaceVR better?
- Neither clearly leads. Xreal Air starts at $199/one-time and AltspaceVR at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Xreal Air or AltspaceVR?
- AltspaceVR has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $199/one-time for Xreal Air and Free for AltspaceVR.
- Does Xreal Air or AltspaceVR run on more platforms?
- Xreal Air runs on iOS, Android, Windows, macOS. AltspaceVR runs on Vr, Pc, Quest.
- Can I use AltspaceVR for free?
- Yes. AltspaceVR has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Xreal Air starts at $199/one-time.
- What is Xreal Air best used for?
- Xreal Air is most often used for vr gaming, ar marketing, virtual training, 3d visualization.
- What can Xreal Air do that AltspaceVR cannot?
- Xreal Air covers Micro-OLED displays, Spatial display, Lightweight design, 6DoF tracking. AltspaceVR covers Event hosting, World building, Avatar system, Spatial audio. Both handle Pc support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
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.
SourceXreal 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.
SourceXreal 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.
SourceXreal 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