Logo of ARKit

ARKit

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Last updated on

Company health

Employee growth
11% increase in the last year
Web traffic
1% decrease in the last quarter
Financing
December 2020 - $1B

Ratings

G2
4.3/5
(74)
Glassdoor
4.1/5
(43979)

ARKit description

ARKit is Apple's software toolkit for building augmented reality experiences on iPhones and iPads. It allows developers to seamlessly blend digital content with the real world through apps. ARKit enables things like placing virtual furniture in your living room or trying on clothes virtually. It's primarily focused on mobile app developers working on the iOS platform and offers a simple way to add an extra dimension to apps.


Who is ARKit best for

ARKit is Apple's toolkit for creating augmented reality apps on iPhones and iPads, allowing developers to merge digital content with the real world. We find that the easy-to-use interface and excellent performance make AR development simple. Based on user feedback, the seamless integration with Unity and other game engines is a big plus. Keep in mind it's limited to iOS devices!

  • Perfect for small businesses (1-100 employees). Also a good fit for medium to large businesses.

  • Great for software, IT, and telecommunications. Also beneficial for retail and media & entertainment.


ARKit features

Supported

4K Video: Capture stunning high-resolution videos of AR experiences in 4K.

Supported

HDR Video: Video and capture capabilities are expanded with support for HDR video.

Supported

High-Resolution Background Image Capture: Capture high-resolution background images.

Supported

Location Anchors: Location Anchors are now available in new cities, such as Montreal, Sydney, Singapore, and Tokyo.

Supported

Motion Capture Improvements: Improvements to Motion Capture.


ARKit reviews

We've summarised 74 ARKit reviews (ARKit G2 reviews) and summarised the main points below.

Pros of ARKit
  • Easy-to-use interface and readily available documentation, making AR development accessible.
  • Seamless integration with Unity and other game engines.
  • High-quality tracking and stability, especially for ground plane detection and motion tracking.
  • Excellent performance on supported devices, delivering smooth and immersive AR experiences.
  • Constantly evolving with regular updates and new features added by Apple.
Cons of ARKit
  • Limited to iOS devices, excluding a large portion of the Android market.
  • Image recognition capabilities need improvement; object tracking can be unreliable.
  • Hardware requirements (A9 processor or later) limit accessibility on older devices.
  • Occasional performance issues, such as slow rendering with multiple 3D objects or lagging in Xcode.
  • Integration with other AR platforms or frameworks can be challenging, especially for cross-platform development.

ARKit alternatives

  • Logo of BLUairspace
    BLUairspace
    Build, manage, and deliver augmented reality experiences.
    Read more
  • Logo of Niantic Lightship
    Niantic Lightship
    Build real-world AR apps with shared, persistent experiences.
    Read more
  • Logo of Vuforia Engine
    Vuforia Engine
    Build immersive mobile AR apps blending digital content with reality.
    Read more
  • Logo of CameraIQ
    CameraIQ
    No-code AR marketing campaigns with measurable results.
    Read more
  • Logo of tagSpace
    tagSpace
    Drag-and-drop AR experiences. No code. Engage audiences.
    Read more
  • Logo of Camera IQ
    Camera IQ
    Build, publish, and analyze branded AR camera effects.
    Read more

ARKit FAQ

  • What is ARKit and what does ARKit do?

    ARKit is Apple's augmented reality (AR) toolkit for iPhones and iPads. It lets developers create apps that overlay digital content onto the real world, enabling experiences like virtual furniture placement or trying on clothes virtually. It's designed for iOS app developers.

  • How does ARKit integrate with other tools?

    ARKit seamlessly integrates with Apple's ecosystem and tools like RealityKit and Reality Composer. It also works well with popular game engines like Unity and Unreal Engine, simplifying AR development workflows.

  • What the main competitors of ARKit?

    ARKit's main competitors include Vuforia Engine, Niantic Lightship, and 8th Wall. These platforms offer similar AR development capabilities, though with varying focuses on features like cross-platform support and persistent experiences. Some other competitors include tools such as CameraIQ and Blippar.

  • Is ARKit legit?

    Yes, ARKit is a legitimate and safe software development kit by Apple. We find it's a popular tool for creating augmented reality experiences on iOS devices. It's generally well-regarded for its ease of use and tight integration with the Apple ecosystem.

  • How much does ARKit cost?

    ARKit is a free tool provided by Apple as part of its iOS SDK (Software Development Kit). There are no fees associated with using ARKit itself.

  • Is ARKit customer service good?

    Based on the reviews, ARKit's customer service is generally considered helpful and responsive. Users appreciate the support they receive for resolving issues. However, more specific feedback on customer service is limited.


Reviewed by

MK
Michal Kaczor
CEO at Gralio

Michal has worked at startups for many years and writes about topics relating to software selection and IT management. As a former consultant for Bain, a business advisory company, he also knows how to understand needs of any business and find solutions to its problems.

TT
Tymon Terlikiewicz
CTO at Gralio

Tymon is a seasoned CTO who loves finding the perfect tools for any task. He recently headed up the tech department at Batmaid, a well-known Swiss company, where he managed about 60 software purchases, including CX, HR, Payroll, Marketing automation and various developer tools.

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