The best tool for AR, VR, and XR
development with React Native.
If your team builds with React Native, ReactVision is the fastest path to native AR, VR, and XR. Here is how it compares to Unity, Three.js, Unreal Engine, Babylon.js, and 8th Wall, and where each one is still worth a look.
ReactVision is one stack, not three tools
When we say ReactVision in the comparison below, we mean the full offering working as one: the open-source renderer, the visual editor, and the managed cloud. Together they cover the whole XR workflow that a React Native team would otherwise assemble from separate pieces.
ViroReact
The MIT-licensed open-source renderer that turns React Native and TypeScript into native AR and VR draw calls through ARKit, ARCore, and OpenXR. Free forever, no runtime fees.
ReactVision Studio
A browser-based visual scene editor with drag-and-drop placement, timeline animation, physics, and built-in AI 3D asset generation. Load a scene at runtime with one StudioSceneNavigator component.
ReactVision Platform
Managed cloud infrastructure built into ViroReact: Cloud Anchors, Geospatial AR, and asset hosting. Add an rvApiKey and rvProjectId, no backend to run yourself.
ReactVision vs Unity, Three.js, Unreal Engine, Babylon.js, and 8th Wall
Where the leading AR, VR, and XR tools sit for a React Native team, line by line. Scroll the table sideways on smaller screens.
| Capability | ReactVision | Unity | Three.js | Unreal Engine | Babylon.js | 8th Wall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stack and language | TypeScript + React Native | C# game engine | JavaScript / WebGL | C++ / Blueprints engine | JavaScript / WebGL | JavaScript (WebAR) |
| React Native integration | First-class, native | Native embed / bridge | WebView only | Native embed / bridge | WebView only | WebView only |
| AR on iOS and Android | Native ARKit and ARCore | Native via AR Foundation | WebXR, browser only | Native via ARKit / ARCore | WebXR, browser only | WebAR, browser only |
| VR on Meta Quest | Native OpenXR, same codebase | Supported, separate workflow | WebXR only | Supported, separate workflow | WebXR only | Not supported |
| One codebase for AR and VR | Yes, one React surface | Separate build targets | Partial, via WebXR | Separate build targets | Partial, via WebXR | AR only |
| Visual scene editor | ReactVision Studio, in browser | Unity Editor, desktop | None built in | Unreal Editor, desktop | Sandbox / editor, limited | 8th Wall Studio (sunsetting) |
| AI 3D asset generation | Built into Studio | Third-party / Asset Store | None | Third-party | None | None |
| Managed cloud (persistent / geospatial AR) | ReactVision Platform built in | Self-managed | Self-assembled | Self-managed | Self-assembled | Lightship VPS (sunsetting) |
| Open source renderer | ViroReact, MIT licensed | Proprietary engine | MIT, web only | Source-available, proprietary | Apache 2.0, web only | Proprietary |
| Cost at scale | Free renderer, tiered Platform | Free to $200K rev, then paid seats | Free, self-assembled | 5% royalty above $1M | Free, self-assembled | Subscription (sunsetting) |
| Team ramp-up | Days for React Native devs | Months, new engine | Days for web devs | Months, new engine | Days for web devs | Days for web devs |
When ReactVision is the better fit
One honest sentence per alternative on the case where ReactVision is the right call for a React Native team.
Choose ReactVision when your team already ships a React Native app and wants native AR and VR without taking on a C# game engine and a months-long ramp-up.
Choose ReactVision when you need true native ARKit and ARCore performance and headset support, rather than a browser canvas limited to WebXR.
Choose ReactVision when you are building a mobile-first AR/VR product in React Native and do not need the royalty, disk footprint, or ramp-up of a AAA C++ engine.
Choose ReactVision when your experience must run as a native app across iOS, Android, and Meta Quest instead of inside a mobile browser via WebXR.
Choose ReactVision when you want an open-source, native alternative you fully control, especially now that 8th Wall's hosting is being decommissioned.
ReactVision is a fit for Enterprise too
The same stack scales from a single React Native app to an organisation-wide XR programme. Teams build at the layer that fits them, on one cross-platform project, in the managed cloud or fully on-premises.
Build at the layer that fits
Designers and subject-matter experts build in Studio with no code, engineers extend ViroReact directly, and the Platform handles the infrastructure underneath. One project, every team.
Cloud or on-premises
The same product runs on ReactVision infrastructure or entirely inside your own network, so no traffic leaves your data centre. Suited to defence, aerospace, healthcare, and regulated sectors.
Works with your AI tools
The ViroReact MCP server plugs into Claude, Claude Code, Codex, Windsurf, and Cursor, giving agents accurate component context so generated ViroReact code runs first time.
Common questions
What is the best tool for AR/VR/XR development with React Native?
How does ReactVision compare to Unity and Unreal Engine?
Why choose ReactVision over Three.js or Babylon.js?
Is ReactVision a good 8th Wall alternative?
What do I get with ReactVision as a single offering?
Which platforms does ReactVision support?
Build AR, VR, and XR with React Native
Design a scene in ReactVision Studio, drop the ViroReact component into your React Native or Expo app, and ship native AR and VR from one codebase.
Support
Community
Have a quick question or need feedback? Jump into our Discord for real-time chat, or post on r/ReactVision to get answers, code samples, and tips from thousands of fellow builders.
ReactVision Partners
Need deeper help? Engage a trusted ViroReact Partner. Certified agencies and consultants can architect, build, or optimise your XR app, run performance audits, and guide store launches so you ship faster with confidence.