Augmented reality (AR) is transforming how we interact with the world around us. From games and entertainment to business applications, AR unlocks new possibilities for engagement and innovation. As AR adoption grows, developers need robust tools to build next-generation apps. That‘s where AR software development kits (SDKs) come in.
AR SDKs provide the frameworks, APIs, and services to help developers quickly build AR experiences. Rather than coding complex AR capabilities from scratch, SDKs give you the essential AR building blocks so you can focus on your app‘s unique value.
Choosing the right SDK is key to efficiently developing a creative and compelling AR app. In this guide, we take a look at nine of the best AR SDK options available today.
Benefits of Choosing the Right AR SDK
Selecting a capable AR SDK provides important advantages, including:
Scalability: Top SDKs support complex apps and high user volumes out of the box. You can focus on your app functionality rather than infrastructure.
Efficiency: SDKs speed up development cycles. They provide reusable components so you avoid reinventing the wheel.
Capability access: SDKs give you instant access to leading-edge AR technologies like computer vision, occlusion, multiplayer functionality and more.
Cross-platform reach: Many SDKs support both iOS and Android to maximize your addressable market with one code base.
Affordability: While advanced SDKs are available, there are also quality free or freemium options ideal for early prototyping.
As you evaluate options, consider SDKs with strong recognition, tracking and rendering capabilities. Support for facial tracking, 3D object recognition, multiplayer mode, and environmental understanding will unlock next-level experiences.
Now let‘s dive deeper into nine AR SDK standouts to consider for your next build.
1. Lightship ARDK
Lightship ARDK delivers robust capabilities for multiplayer AR games and applications. Key features include:
Multiuser experiences: Lightship enables shared AR sessions so multiple players can interact simultaneously.
Environment understanding: The SDK maps surfaces, objects and spaces in real-time so virtual content seamlessly interacts with real environments.
Platform support: Build once and deploy across both Android and iOS using Unity or native APIs.
Affordability: Core SDK features are free. Paid tiers start at $5 monthly for production applications.
For shared, social AR environments from gaming to retail spaces, Lightship ARDK delivers the advanced capabilities today’s experiences demand.
2. ARCore
As Google‘s native AR SDK, ARCore makes an excellent choice for Android apps (API Level 24+). It delivers:
Strong tracking: ARCore accurately tracks the environment over time, even through lighting changes.
Real-world understanding: The SDK detects flat surfaces, ambient light, and objects for realistic interactions.
Seamless rendering: Virtual content realistically blends into the surrounding environment.
Native APIs: ARCore natively integrates into the Android OS and development environment.
For quality AR apps targeting Android users, ARCore helps you build immersive experiences optimized for Google devices.
3. RealityKit
Apple’s ARKit helps iOS apps interact with the world around them. Taking this further, RealityKit streamlines high-performance 3D rendering and simulation natively in iOS devices.
Photorealistic rendering: Leverage environment textures, camera effects, noise, and other features to seamlessly blend virtual objects into real spaces.
Physics simulation: Define gravity, collisions, joints and other parameters to emulate real-world object behavior.
Animation support: Animate 3D models with character articulation, morph targets, keyframe animations and more.
Swift integration: Program dynamic AR scenes natively using Apple’s Swift programming language and APIs.
For cutting edge graphics and physics, RealityKit pushes the boundaries for sophisticated iOS apps and games.
4. Unity Reflect
Unity Reflect combines multipurpose gaming engine Unity with advanced collaboration tools for enterprise AR development.
Multiuser collaboration: Share AR experiences with remote colleagues for design reviews, task support and more.
Photorealistic rendering: Leverage Unity‘s powerful 3D engine to create true-to-life visuals.
Large model support: Load massive BIM and CAD datasets for architectural reviews, construction planning and more.
Custom application enablement: Unity Reflect supplies APIs and code samples so you can build your tailored solution.
At price points starting at $399 yearly, Reflect provides robust capabilities for serious business applications.
5. Wikitude
One of the most widely used AR SDKs, Wikitude offers an extensive toolset across both Android and iOS. Their solution provides:
Image recognition & tracking: Recognize a vast array of objects and images to trigger AR overlays and interactions.
Instant tracking: Swiftly launch experiences without calibration delays even in new environments.
Smart glasses support: Extend experiences to AR headsets by Vuzix, Epson and others.
Cloud recognition: Outsource compute-heavy vision processing to the cloud for lean mobile apps.
Available plans start at $529 yearly. With strong tracking and recognition plus flexible API options, Wikitude enables feature-packed applications.
6. MAXST
MAXST is an AR SDK with a focus on spatial mapping and environmental understanding. Their solution includes:
Spatial mapping: Scan surroundings to create sparse or dense 3D point clouds and surface meshes.
Multi-image tracking: Recognize multiple images and items simultaneously.
Instant experiences: Quickly visualize AR prototypes without custom coding.
AR glass support: Expand reach to optical headsets from Epson, Nreal and others.
Pricing starts at $58 monthly, with discounts for yearly subscriptions. For next-level environmental inputs, MAXST delivers.
7. EasyAR Sense
EasyAR Sense makes robust computer vision more accessible to developers. Key features consist of:
Facial tracking: Detect and track facial features including contours, eyes, nose and mouth.
Surface reconstruction: Understand real-world geometry, even without depth sensors.
Cloud recognition: Offload processing to the cloud for enhanced results without draining local resources.
Multiplatform deploys: Support both Android and iOS apps with C/C++, Unity and Unreal APIs.
Available plans range from free to $3,999 for the Pro suite. With advanced perception capabilities, EasyAR enables next-wave experiences across devices.
8. ZapWorks
ZapWorks takes a code-free approach so anyone can create AR apps. Combine prebuilt AR capabilities with the tools you already know and love:
No code required: Drag-and-drop visual programming helps you build AR workflows.
7 platforms supported: Integrate experiences into Unity, Three.js, iOS, Android and more.
Face tracking: Detect facial geometry to overlay masks, effects and more.
Cloud recognition: Perform resource-intensive image recognition remotely for fast local experiences.
Pricing starts at $67 monthly. For versatile, code-free development, ZapWorks is a strong contender.
9. AR.js
If you‘re exploring basic AR capabilities on the web, check out open source library AR.js. This JavaScript tool allows you to:
Quickly prototype: With a lightweight library and template starter projects
Understand capabilities: Experiment across location-based AR, image tracking, marker tracking and more
Develop with common web languages: Code experiences with JavaScript, A-Frame, Three.js and others
As an open source option, AR.js allows fairly robust prototyping without financial investment. While advanced cases may eventually require more powerful SDKs, AR.js is a great starting point.
Finding the Best AR SDK for You
With augmented reality adoption accelerating, now is the time to explore how AR can enhance your mobile application and business strategy. The right AR SDK saves development time and unlocks next-generation experiences.
Lightship, Wikitude and ZapWorks lead with multipurpose capabilities to power many use cases. For native device optimization, ARCore and RealityKit shine on their respective Android and iOS platforms.
Consider your target experience, desired features, team skills and budget when selecting an augmented reality SDK for your next build.
