AR.js Studio

AR.js Studio is a free, open-source visual editor for making location- and marker-based augmented-reality experiences in a browser. It is aimed at creators who want to publish a web AR project without writing code or asking viewers to install an app. The main attraction is its zero-cost, visual workflow; the main caveat is a publishing process tied to GitHub and a privately hosted OAuth service.

Overview

AR.js Studio focuses on two practical AR formats. Location projects place content at GPS coordinates, letting you drop pins on a map or enter coordinates for as many as 10 locations. That is a useful scale for a small trail, exhibit, or local promotion, but not a natural fit for a large, many-stop deployment. Marker projects attach content to a black-and-white visual marker, either a supplied design or your own image. Because the marker can be moved, this approach is better when the same experience must work in different physical settings.

Both formats are delivered through the web, so viewers can open the experience without downloading a separate application. That lowers friction for public demonstrations and classroom or event use. AR.js Studio is also open source under the MIT license, with the AR.js Organisation credited for development and Nicolò Carpignoli for the original idea.

Key features

The visual editor supports 3D objects in .gltf, .glb, and .zip formats, plus .jpg, .png, and .gif images and .mp4 video. Upload ceilings are 50 MB for 3D objects, 15 MB for images, and 25 MB for video. Those limits accommodate ordinary web assets but require compression or optimization for heavier models and long, high-resolution footage.

GLTF projects can involve companion files. When the uploader requests related files, the recommended package is the separate glTF export with its .bin file and texture files zipped together. Marker quality matters as much as the uploaded media: rotationally asymmetric, simple, high-contrast artwork gives the tracker a clearer visual reference than a busy or symmetrical design.

Publishing asks for a project name and GitHub sign-in. The flow is convenient when the service is operating, but it depends on an externally hosted OAuth server that is privately maintained and not guaranteed to remain available. The documented fallback is technical: fork Studio, host the app and a Gatekeeper server yourself, and configure GitHub OAuth credentials. That option preserves control for capable developers, while nontechnical creators may be blocked if the hosted flow fails.

Pricing

There is no paid tier or trial period. The free plan suits educators, hobbyists, prototypes, and small campaigns that can work within the 10-location and upload-size limits. It offers no commercial service tier or expanded quota to move up to, so organizations needing larger location sets or a managed publishing dependency should evaluate another platform.

Platforms

AR.js Studio runs on the web. Projects are authored in the browser and delivered as web experiences, allowing viewers to access them without installing an additional app.

Who it's for

Choose it if you want a no-code starting point for a focused GPS or marker-based experience, especially when keeping the audience on a web link is important. It is a sensible match for individual creators and small teams comfortable preparing their own media files and, if necessary, following a self-hosting setup.

Look elsewhere for a managed publishing service, extensive location networks, or a workflow that cannot tolerate an external OAuth dependency. The 10-location ceiling and fixed upload limits also make it less suitable for large, asset-heavy productions.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Free and open source: the MIT-licensed project removes subscription cost and permits self-hosting.
• Two useful anchoring modes: GPS placement handles site-specific work, while movable markers support repeatable installations.
• App-free audience access: web deployment avoids requiring viewers to install another application.
• Broad media support: 3D, image, and video uploads cover common AR content types.

Cons

• Publishing can be fragile: GitHub login relies on a privately hosted OAuth server that may become unavailable.
• Self-hosting is technical: the fallback requires a fork, separate hosting, a Gatekeeper server, and GitHub OAuth configuration.
• Defined scale limits: location projects allow up to 10 coordinates, with 50 MB, 15 MB, and 25 MB caps for 3D, image, and video uploads.

Alternatives

MyWebAR is a better fit when you want Android, iOS, desktop, and web reach plus a free Creator plan with 100 views per year, 100 MB of storage, and five projects.

MAKAR suits teams that need a broader project-management and publishing feature set, although its free plan limits projects, storage, and publications and excludes WebAR.

TotalAR is preferable for a managed service with scan quotas, TAR codes, and an upgrade path from its Basic Free plan.

8th Wall is an alternative free web-oriented platform with no-login access, though its hosted platform is retired.

BlippBuilder is worth considering if you want to create and test for free and are prepared to pay for publishing.

WorldCAST offers a free Creator plan with unlimited monthly views, commercial use, QR generation, and basic analytics.

Elysium is a free option for iOS and web worlds, including private scenes, public scenes, and 10 GB of asset storage on its Personal plan.

Lens Studio is a free desktop application for Windows 11 or macOS 12 and newer with at least 8 GB of RAM.

Browse more tools in Augmented Reality Software and AR Creation Software.

Verdict

AR.js Studio is a strong choice for a free, no-code web AR prototype or small location- or marker-based project. Its visual editor, flexible media inputs, and app-free delivery are the reasons to choose it. Look elsewhere when publishing reliability, larger project scale, or a fully managed platform matters more than open-source control and zero cost.