Overte vs Topia

Overte is open-source software for creating, hosting, and exploring virtual worlds through VR or desktop experiences. Users can meet in worlds and attend or host live VR events; world creation and editing can be collaborative. VR support includes body tracking, and a single world can scale to up to 500 users. JavaScript scripting can add games, interactables, interface elements, and custom applications. Users can import 3D objects, and the software includes spatial audio and physics powered by the Bullet engine. Overte is free under the Apache 2.0 license, with Linux and Windows releases, source code, and Docker images listed for download. It can be self-hosted, including on a home server; the project says there is no central authority and no account is required. Overte e.V., a non-profit association registered in Germany, is behind the project, though membership is not required to use or develop the software. Community discussion is available on Matrix and Discord, with the Matrix Space bridged to Discord. Documentation covers security for Interface and servers, including crash reporting and asset security.

Topia is a browser-based platform for interactive virtual worlds where people can explore, create, collaborate, communicate and play. Participants’ audio and video connect as they approach one another and disconnect as they move away. World owners can customize spaces and embed live streams, websites, music, apps, games and collaborative tools. Access can be restricted with passwords, account authentication, approved guest lists, scheduled opening hours or SAML SSO. Topia lists integrations including Slack, Miro, Salesforce, HubSpot, Google Sheets and Calendly, alongside an SDK, APIs, JavaScript and C# client libraries, and webhooks for custom applications and data flows. The free Demo plan has a 50-person capacity, with broadcasting and screen sharing each limited to one. PRO is billed at $4 a month per user and starts at $100 per month; enterprise pricing is custom. At capacity, arriving users wait until space becomes available. Topia recommends Chrome, Edge and Brave; Firefox and Safari support is in beta. Mobile use is audio-only and in beta, with desktop or laptop recommended.