Best Tools to Build an Augmented Reality Mobile App

Augmented reality (AR) mobile apps are the next big thing in today’s tech industry. It allows users to interact with the real world using their mobile devices, with new technology that layers in-app content on top of their surroundings. 

The best Augmented Reality mobile apps take advantage of this unique feature to make learning easier, help you get more fun out of life, and even improve your business practices. 

In this article, we’ll cover the best tools available for Augmented Reality mobile app development, so you can start creating exciting new experiences for your users. 

What is AR? 

Augmented reality (AR) is a live direct or indirect view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements are augmented by computer-generated sensory input such as sound, video, graphics, or GPS data. AR technology takes in real-world information and augments it with other contextual information for use in applications like games, navigation, and education.

Types of Augmented Reality

Augmented reality is a technology that blends the virtual and real world together. The two main types of augmented reality are marker-based AR and location-based AR.

Marker-based AR

One of the best tools to build an augmented reality mobile app is marker-based AR, a tool that has been especially popular with businesses and marketers. Market-based AR applications use a camera or a portable device to detect a pattern QR code, which can indicate where virtual information will appear.

Location-based AR

The Augmented Reality mobile app relies on GPS and other position detectors like digital compasses in order to link a device’s location with its surroundings. The benefit of a position-based AR is that it increases interactivity with virtual content.

Best tools to build AR Based Mobile Applications 

Vuforia

Vuforia Engine is a software development kit (SDK) that allows developers to build Augmented Reality apps. With this technology, developers can deliver robust, secure, and enterprise-based AR solutions. 

Majorly developers prefer to opt for Vuforia – 

• ● Supports both Android and iOS operating systems 
• ● Recognition of multiple objects
• ● Supports different texts
• ● Creation of a 3D geometric map
• ● Provides fastest applications and helps to meet business needs 

If you want your AR app to have a high adoption rate, it’s well worth having Vuforia on your side.

AR ToolKit 

The AR Toolkit is open-source software that allows developers to build highly functional and scalable AR-based applications. Due to its open-source feature, it is free and offers next-generation features to the developers. 

Features of AR Toolkit 

• ● High accuracy 
• ● Next-level security 
• ● incorporates a Digital compass and GPS
• ● Fast for real-time solutions 
• ● Plugins for Unity
• ● Tracking of planar images

Google ARCore

ARCore is one of the ideal app development tools. It is part of Google that wins the trust of millions of developers. Moreover, Google used to stay ahead in digital innovations, so we expect that experts can keep AR Core updated with the latest market trends. Helps to align the real and virtual worlds. 

Features of Google ARCore – 

• ● Supports platforms such as Android, Android NDK, Unity ( AR Foundation), iOS, unreal, and web. 
• ● Provides SDKs for multiple development environments.
• ● Enable motion tracking, light estimation, and Environmental understanding. 

MAXST

MAXST platform allows developers to create AR applications that are available on multiple platforms, including iOS and Android. The SDK tracks the camera image, which is great for more mobile-friendly apps. This can be a perfect solution for businesses that have already developed a 2D application. Moreover, it is integrated with the visual simultaneous localization and mapping facility. 

Features of MAXST

• ● Multiple image recognition. 
• ● Light processing
• ● Multi-platform support
• ● High Performance 
• ● Cloud Recognizer

DeepAR

This is one of the good free AR SDKs, which is compatible with Android devices. It provides some amazing features like deep facial detection, location tracking and etc. This can be easily embedded into your app with one line of code. One downside for DeepAR is that it doesn’t provide any 3D modeling support. However, their documentation is really well-made so you can learn how to use it quickly. Hire Android app developers to launch powerful and successful AR applications. 

Conclusion

The market for Augmented Reality mobile apps has exploded in recent years. Businesses are discovering that it’s a cost-effective way to connect with and better serve their customers, while also increasing sales. Hence, choosing your tools is perhaps one of the most important steps in building an Augmented Reality Mobile App. Knowing what’s available and how these tools differ from each other allows you to make a more informed decision. We have listed some of the popular AR tools for app development.