AR.js Studio vs Zapworks Studio

AR.js Studio is a free, open-source web authoring platform for building augmented reality experiences without coding. It supports location-based projects, which place AR content at GPS coordinates, and marker-based projects, which anchor content to a black-and-white visual marker. Location projects can use a dropped pin or entered coordinates for up to 10 locations. Marker projects can use a premade marker or an uploaded image; simple, high-contrast, rotationally asymmetric markers are recommended. Uploadable content includes GLTF, GLB, or ZIP 3D objects, JPG, PNG, or GIF images, and MP4 videos. Maximum upload sizes are 50 MB for 3D objects, 15 MB for images, and 25 MB for videos. Published experiences run on the web without requiring viewers to install another app. Publishing requires a GitHub login and depends on a privately hosted OAuth server that may become unavailable. The documented fallback is self-hosting a fork and Gatekeeper. The repository is MIT licensed.

Zapworks Studio lets designers and developers create customizable augmented, virtual and mixed reality experiences for print, products, packaging, retail and events. It supports image, face and world tracking, along with static and animated 3D models in GLTF/GLB, FBX, OBJ and POD formats. Animation tools support expressive movement, and dynamic lighting works with a range of light sources and materials. Studio Actions let non-developers trigger functions in response to events without writing code; JavaScript scripting supports more complex projects. The product page describes FBX, OBJ and POD support as a way to fit existing workflows. Every plan includes unlimited projects, although project size, views, target images and permitted use differ by plan. Developer is for non-commercial use; Pro starts at $315 a month for commercial use. Zapworks offers a 14-day trial and describes Mattercraft as Studio’s successor, recommending it to newcomers to the tool suite. Studio runs on Windows 7 or later and macOS Yosemite or later. Zapworks says uploaded content is stored on AWS servers in Ireland and encrypted in transit and at rest.