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SPECIFICTION
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8th Wall

8thwall.org

Free plan WebWindowsmacOSSelf-hosted
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Spec score 8.3 #5 of 19 in Augmented Reality Software

What it is

8th Wall provides tools for building 3D experiences and WebAR for web browsers or self-hosted projects. Its XR Engine includes World Effects, Absolute Scale, Image Targets, Face Effects, and Sky Effects, and is designed to work with A-Frame, Three.js, Babylon.js, and PlayCanvas. 8th Wall Desktop is an XR game engine with a visual editor; downloads are available for Apple Silicon Mac, Intel Mac, and Windows x64. Projects can be deployed and hosted wherever a developer needs. The Free plan costs nothing, with no login required. The engine binary is closed source, cannot be modified or reverse engineered, and is subject to a limited-use license; other listed tools and example projects use MIT licenses. The distributed binary omits Niantic Spatial VPS, Lightship Maps, and Hand Tracking. Native export is coming soon, and export through the retired hosted platform is no longer available. Projects exported before February 28, 2026 can be moved to local or self-hosted use. Hosted projects are scheduled to remain live through February 28, 2027, when hosting is due to be decommissioned.

Spec sheet

Purpose
8th Wall provides tools for building 3D experiences and WebAR.Read 30 Sep 2026 · 8thwall.org
Integrations
The XR Engine is designed to work with A-Frame, Three.js, Babylon.js, and PlayCanvas.Read 30 Sep 2026 · 8thwall.org
Support
The maker points developers to Discord, GitHub Discussions, issue reporting, and pull requests for community support and contributions.Read 30 Sep 2026 · 8thwall.org
Commercial use
The maker says the open source components and distributed engine binary can be used for commercial AR experiences, subject to the binary’s limited-use license.Read 30 Sep 2026 · 8thwall.org
Desktop editor
8th Wall Desktop is an XR game engine with a visual editor for developing 3D and AR experiences.Read 30 Sep 2026 · 8thwall.org
Downloads
8th Wall Desktop downloads are available for Apple Silicon Mac, Intel Mac, and Windows x64.Read 30 Sep 2026 · 8thwall.org
Export status
Native export is coming soon, and the maker says project export is no longer available through the retired hosted platform.Read 30 Sep 2026 · 8thwall.org
Feature limits
The distributed engine binary does not include Niantic Spatial VPS, Lightship Maps, or Hand Tracking.Read 30 Sep 2026 · 8thwall.org
Hosting
Projects can be deployed and hosted anywhere that fits the developer’s needs.Read 30 Sep 2026 · 8thwall.org
Licensing
The engine binary is closed source and may not be modified or reverse engineered; other listed tools and example projects are MIT licensed.Read 30 Sep 2026 · 8thwall.org
Migration deadline
Projects exported before February 28, 2026 can be migrated to run locally or self-hosted; projects not exported by then cannot be downloaded or modified through the platform.Read 30 Sep 2026 · 8thwall.org
Security and compliance
The maker pages opened do not state security certifications or compliance standards.Read 30 Sep 2026 · 8thwall.org
Service shutdown
Hosted projects are scheduled to remain live through February 28, 2027, after which hosting will be decommissioned.Read 30 Sep 2026 · 8thwall.org
XR features
The XR Engine includes World Effects, Absolute Scale, Image Targets, Face Effects, and Sky Effects.Read 30 Sep 2026 · 8thwall.org

Plans and prices

Free Free No login required · hosted platform retired · native export coming soon Read 30 Sep 2026 · 8thwall.org

Every 8th Wall plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free plan costs nothing.
  • Visual editor for 3D and AR development.
  • Works with four named frameworks.
  • Projects can be hosted anywhere suitable.
  • Downloads support Mac and Windows x64.

Limits

  • Native export is still coming soon.
  • Retired hosted platform no longer supports project export.
  • Engine binary excludes VPS, Maps, and Hand Tracking.
  • Hosted projects are scheduled to end February 28, 2027.

Who it suits

8th Wall suits developers building browser-based or self-hosted 3D and AR experiences, including those who want a visual editor or existing JavaScript framework integrations. Developers planning to keep projects should account for the export and hosting deadlines.

Verdict

8th Wall combines a visual desktop editor and XR tools with flexible hosting and framework integrations. Its export transition and scheduled hosting shutdown are important constraints for anyone choosing it for ongoing projects.

Where Specifiction places it

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