So you’re going to get into augmented reality but in order to do that, you must first pick an SDK. This is not only a starting point but a big first step in your augmented reality venture. It’s imperative that you pick carefully because you could be married to it.
Each AR SDK, like all SDK’s, are not created equally. They all have their advantages and disadvantages. Make sure you conduct research on your project and the available SDK’s. Once you have determined your needs, you will be in the best position to pick.
I picked the top 5 augmented reality SDK providers and listed them below. I have based the ranking below on how much search demand each SDK receives along with how long they have been around. ARKit by Apple & ARCore by Google are the new kids on the block. Whereas Vuforia, Kudan, and Wikitude have been around for years.
1. Vuforia
The Vuforia platform uses superior, stable and technically efficient computer vision-based image recognition and offers the widest set of features and capabilities, giving developers the freedom to extend their visions without technical limitations. With support for iOS, Android, and Unity 3D, the Vuforia platform allows you to write a single native app that can reach the most users across the widest range of smartphones and tablets.
https://developer.vuforia.com/downloads/sdk
2. Kudan
If you are looking for a professional AR SDK to develop compelling applications for mobile devices – you’ve come to the right place. Kudan AR SDK is chosen by professional developers looking for an all-in-one SDK that can support marker or markerless tracking and location requirements. Its fast and light and ready to be ported into any platforms with any peripherals as well.
https://www.kudan.eu/kudan-sdk-features
3. Wikitude
Wikitude’s cross-platform augmented reality SDK combines 3D Markerless Tracking technology (SLAM), Object Recognition and Tracking, Image Recognition and Tracking, as well as Geo-location AR for apps.
https://www.wikitude.com/products/wikitude-sdk
4. ARKit
iOS 11 introduces ARKit, a new framework that allows you to easily create unparalleled augmented reality experiences for iPhone and iPad. By blending digital objects and information with the environment around you, ARKit takes apps beyond the screen, freeing them to interact with the real world in entirely new ways.
https://developer.apple.com/arkit
5. ARCore
ARCore is a platform for building augmented reality apps on Android. ARCore uses three key technologies to integrate virtual content with the real world as seen through your phone’s camera:
- Motion tracking allows the phone to understand and track its position relative to the world.
- Environmental understanding allows the phone to detect the size and location of flat horizontal surfaces like the ground or a coffee table.
- Light estimation allows the phone to estimate the environment’s current lighting conditions.
39 Responses to “Top 5 Augmented Reality SDK’s”
July 31, 2013
John BrockhausI’d have to comment about Point-At-Me if I was to talk about Augmented reality Apps. They’re up and coming, check them out!
July 31, 2013
Mark BaldwinCool! Thanks for sharing… A web based campaign builder… Pretty good idea from Virtualmob. I hope it works out for them!
October 19, 2013
Bharat ParikhI have recently used DroidAR for my Android game. It was very easy to integrate and use. You can check out the game at:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.thoughtshastra.templetreasure
On a side note, is there a way to request for game review / showcase on this website?
November 21, 2013
Jonathan LeeI have integrated the AR SDK from ColumbusAgain and it is highly scalable.
http://columbusagain.com/products-2/columbusagain-ar-sdk/
February 21, 2014
MickI use Vuforia on a daily basis in conjunction with Unity 3D Pro. Why ? Because it’s so darn easy to get into. no programming required.. but you can write your own scripts if need be. it allows me to develop AR apps for iPhone, Android windows & IOS… Vuforia also has cloud based image targeting… great if you need a massive database of image targets.
You can create video target cards, cylindrical, box etc.. shape target image. & even occlude the 3D object as it passes behind real world objects. very powerful AR
February 21, 2014
MickI should also mention I can now utilize the Coulus Rift V.R hmd + OVRvision which allows for external viewing via two offset cameras mounted to the front of the O.R.
June 7, 2015
shenHi, have you used Metaio / Creator? What are your thoughts on Vuforia vs Metaio, since we are looking for another SDK to integrate to our app, now that Metaio is zzz. What authoring method are you using to insert content to the AR markers?
June 8, 2015
Mark BaldwinI have not used Metaio. Maybe one of our commenters could offer some advice.
August 6, 2014
DGArtistthoughts on aurasma?
October 11, 2014
Dave OwensFYI… String has discontinued their SDK…
October 11, 2014
Mark BaldwinThanks for the heads up Dave. I will update this post!
April 29, 2015
MonaI’m developer and I need to learn hot to be AR Developer …
please need your guide to help me how to begin
Thanks
May 30, 2015
CaeHi Mona,Mail me cae.developer(at)gmail.com for more info
July 7, 2015
Patrick KuangHi Mark, it seems TI has removed the download link from their website. Do you have their old version of SDK? Thanks!
August 19, 2015
Mark BaldwinIt Looks like they have version 3.25 available download on their partner network portal.
September 27, 2015
ValdasMetaio have been bought by apple and no information on future support
October 6, 2015
KerryHas the string app been discontinued?? Can I download anything in replacement?
November 1, 2017
Mark BaldwinYes, String was discontinued.
October 29, 2015
Howard OgdenHi All,
Good to see this list being updated. May I suggest Kudan SDK for iOS and Android? (full disclosure: I work at Kudan)
On the initial release in August ’15, we solved one of the greatest challenges for AR: markerless tracking. Now a new generation of AR can be created easily, for iOS and Android, that requires no trigger image.
Kudan also offers image based tracking, as well as GPS. As it is new to the market it is currently free for developers to use and integrate in their apps.
I urge everyone to try it out because we are getting some great feedback.
Thanks for listening and please reach-out if you have any questions.
Howard
May 5, 2016
Aryaman GuptaWhat features would Kudan offer that other SDKs like Vuforia don’t, apart from SLAM? I am building a furniture augmentation app. Any features that Kudan offers specific to this purpose, that other SDKs don’t?
Thanks
Aryaman
November 20, 2015
Yoze RizkiHi,
for me top 5 AR SDK (xclude Metaio and String) November 2015 is
1. Vuforia
2. Kudan
3. Wikitude
4. Pointcloud SDK
5. D’Fusion
December 24, 2015
Mark BaldwinHey Yoze,
Thanks for sharing! One of my Goals for 2016 is to update the Augmented Reality SDK posts and come up with new top 5.
April 18, 2017
IoanaThanks for the vote of confidence! Our new SDK 6 is out with even more improvements, including instant tracking and a new Wikitude Studio. Give it a try: https://www.wikitude.com/wikitude-slam/
November 1, 2017
Mark BaldwinExcellent! In the age where augmented reality SDK’s come and go. I’m glad to see Wikitude hanging strong!
March 23, 2016
Avinashhttp://artoolkit.org/
April 22, 2016
Ross MilliganI’ve put SaltwashAR, a Python Augmented Reality app, on Github. It uses OpenCV to detect 2D markers and OpenGL to render 3D robots. It’s got a ton of interactive features e.g. speech-to-text, AI, games, audio, object detection. Anyone want to add a feature, get in touch. Cheers.
May 6, 2016
Paul SmithCan any of the above offer tracking of complex 3d objects and are also available as a Unity plug-in?
May 6, 2016
Tomo ohnoKudan is the one
http://Www.kudan.eu
April 18, 2017
EmanuelaHey Paul! Maybe you would like to check out Wikitude’s SLAM option with Unity integration: immediately start tracking in an arbitrary environment: https://www.wikitude.com/external/doc/documentation/latest/unity/instanttrackingnative.html#instant-tracking
August 24, 2016
JaneAugmented Pixels also has its own AR SLAM SDK. Check it out – http://augmentedpixels.com/usecase/slam-sdk/ It is more precise than similar SDKs and is good for different application on various platforms.
September 24, 2016
GeoffBased on how many AR/VR software companies get bought up and then vanish, it would be nice to have a native SDK that is free from API keys, cloud services etc. As an Indy developer, I am looking to produce an AR app for iOS and need a native Objective-C SDK, markerless would obviously be best but at the moment I am trying to find one that the indy developer can get without all the red tape. Thanks for maintaining this list.
November 1, 2017
Mark BaldwinHey Geoff,
You’re right, they have been rapidly changing. AR hasn’t been very good to indy developers like yourself. You may want to check out https://opencv.org. I’m not sure how robust it’s feature set is and if there’s good support/well documented… But it’s open source = free.
September 24, 2016
GeoffI have looked at Kudan, it sounded great at first but ties you into a yearly subscription.
If for any reason that the Kudan servers go offline then the AR modules in live apps will not work. If you stop your subscription after a year then your existing store apps will not work.
So that is risk.
Also, as an Indy developer, financial gambles before an App has gone live is too big a risk as well.
The search continues….
September 29, 2016
SarahHi Geoff,
I would like to bring a correction to your last message (I work at Kudan).
Your app and AR modules will always be live independent of Kudan’s servers. So there is no risk here.
Regarding the end of your subscription: the app in general will continue to function, only the AR module will no longer work.
September 30, 2016
GeoffHi Sarah. Thanks for the correction.
Can you expand a bit on “only the AR module will no longer work.”?
If an app is all about AR (with device database, not cloud), does this mean that targets/markers would stop being detected by the AR module thus making the app non-functioning?
Thanks
Geoff
November 24, 2016
SarahHi Geoff,
You are right, in the case the subscription is not renewed, if your app is all about AR it won’t be functioning and any AR views or functions won’t work.
But once the payment renewed the AR modules will work again.
November 15, 2016
CarlyHave you guys heard of moBack AR? It’s a free platform for VR and AR experiences. It may be worth checking out. I think they are compatible with mobile smart phones as well as head sets. http://ar.moback.com/
November 1, 2017
Mark BaldwinNo, thanks for sharing though.
June 7, 2018
David JonesAgree . that if you want to start developing applications of augmented reality, then it’s better to start with some ready-made components rather than reinvent your bike from scratch.