Top 6 Augmented Reality SDK for Mobile Apps

Once you know all the features you could possibly require of an SDK to create your augmented reality app, you can check out the following list of six popular tools that are available on the market. We consider these toolkits to be the most relevant and appropriate based on the set of features they provide and their value for money. Some of them are free.

Vuforia

Vuforia is a leading portal for augmented reality application development that has a broad set of features. Vuforia augmented reality SDK:

·         Recognizes multiple objects including boxes, cylinders, and toys as well as images.

·         Supports text recognition including about 100,000 words or a custom vocabulary.

·         Allows creating customized VuMarks, which look better than a typical QR-code.

·         Allows creating a 3D geometric map of any environment using its Smart terrain feature

·         Turns static images into full motion video that can be played directly on a target surface.

·         Provides a Unity Plugin.

·         Supports both Cloud and local storage.

ARToolKit  

ARToolKit is an open-source tool to create augmented reality applications. Even though it's a free library, it provides a rather rich set of features for tracking, including:

·         Unity3D and OpenSceneGraph Support.

·         Supports both single and dual camera.

·         GPS and compasses support for creation of location-based AR apps.

·         Possibility to create real-time AR applications.

·         Integration with smart glasses.

·         Multiple Languages Supported

·         Automatic camera calibration.

Supported platforms: Android, iOS, Linux, Windows, Mac OS and Smart Glasses.

With two millions Android active users, Google could not miss the chance to give developers an opportunity to create AR apps on this operating system. That’s how Google ARCore appeared.

This toolkit works with Java/OpenGL, Unity, and Unreal. It provides features such as:

·         Motion tracking. ARCore can determine the position and orientation of the device using the camera and spot the feature points in the room. That helps to place virtual objects accurately.

·         Environmental understanding. Due to the possibility of detecting horizontal surfaces, you can place virtual objects on tables or on the floor. This feature can be also used for motion tracking.

·         Light estimation. This technology allows your app to match the lighting of the environment and to light virtual objects so they look natural within the surrounding space. With the help of smart light tracking developers can now create very realistic objects.

Supporting devices: Currently: Google Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Samsung Galaxy S7-S8+, Samsung A5-A8, Samsung Note8, Asus Zenfone AR, Huawei P20, OnePlus 5  ARCore is designed to work on devices running Android 7.0 and higher.

Apple ARKit

With iOS11, Apple introduced its own ARKit, announced during Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in June 2017. Here are the features of  Apple’s augmented reality SDK for iOS:

·         Visual Inertial Odometry (VIO) allowing to track en environment accurately without any additional calibration.

·         Robust face tracking to easily apply face effects or create facial expressions of 3D characters.

·         Tracking the light level of environment to apply the correct amount of lighting to virtual objects.

·         Detecting horizontal planes like tables and floors, vertical and irregularly shaped surfaces.

·         Detecting 2D objects and allows developers to interact with them.

·         Integration with third-party tools like Unity and Unreal Engine.

Compatible with the following devices: iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, iPhone SE, iPad Pro (9.7, 10.5 or 12.9) – both first-gen and 2nd-gen, iPad (2017),iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, iPhone X

Maxst

MAXST has two SDKs available: a 2D SDK for image tracking and a 3D SDK for environment recognition. Here is the list of features of the 3D SDK:

·         MAXST Visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping for tracking and mapping environments. When you track the surroundings , the map is automatically extended beyond the first view along with the move of the camera. Maps can be also saved for the later uses.

·         Saving files created with Visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping to render 3D objects wherever you like on it to create more immersive AR experiences.

·         QR and barcode scanning.

·         Extended image tracking and Multi-target tracking. You can track the target as far as the camera can see it and can also track up to 3 images at the same time.

·         Tracking and placing digital objects in relation to the plane.

·         Unity plugin integration.

Supported platforms: Android, iOS, Mac OS and Windows.

Wikitude

Wikitude has recently introduced its SDK7, including support for simultaneous localization and Mapping. The tool provides currently the following features:

·         3D recognition and tracking.

·         Image recognition and tracking.

·         Cloud recognition (allows to work with thousands of target images hosted in the cloud).

·         Location-based services.

·         Smart glasses integration.

·         Integration with external plugins, including Unity.

Supported platforms: Android, iOS, Smart Glasses (currently  Google Glass, The Epson Moverio BT-200, and the Vuzix M100).

AR SDK Comparison Table

We decided to organize the main characteristics and features of the mentioned AR tools in one table so that you can quickly compare them.