BlippBuilder

BlippBuilder is a browser-based tool for making augmented-reality experiences with a visual editor, with or without code. It is best suited to creators who want to build and share connected AR projects across phones, desktops, and headsets. Its broad creation and preview workflow is useful, but publishing requires a paid plan, and Blippar has suspended new subscriptions.

Overview

Projects can be published to the web and shared by URL or QR code. Before publishing, creators can preview in the editor or scan a temporary QR code to check a project on a device. Published work stays live only while the subscription is active, so ongoing access depends on maintaining a subscription.

Experiences can be viewed on iOS and Android smartphones, desktop devices, and headsets including Magic Leap 2 and Meta Quest. An internet connection is required; BlippBuilder does not support offline AR. That makes it a fit for connected experiences, not deployments where users need access without a network.

Key features

Visual creation and tracking

The drag-and-drop editor supports projects made with or without coding, giving visual creators a direct workflow while leaving room for code in the creation process. Tracking options include surface and marker tracking, gyro features, and listed face, image, and world tracking. This range can support projects that respond to surfaces, markers, images, faces, or device movement, although the plans do not distinguish which tracking features they include.

Assets and preview

Uploads support JPG, PNG, GIF, MP4, MP3, GLB, and glTF, covering still images, video, audio, and 3D models. Sketchfab integration lets users browse and import thousands of free 3D assets from within the builder. Paid Sketchfab models require a separate download and upload, adding steps for creators who rely on that catalog’s paid assets.

Previewing in the canvas or on a device via a temporary QR code provides a check before a project goes live. That is particularly useful when the intended experience is on a phone or headset rather than in the editor alone.

Pricing

The Starter plan costs nothing and supports creating, testing, and exploring projects; publishing requires a paid plan. It is a practical way to work on a project before committing, but it cannot deliver a published experience.

Creative has custom pricing, billed every 30 days with auto-renewal. It allows 1 user to publish 1 project, with unlimited views, free hosting, and storage. It fits a solo creator with one live project; the single-project cap is restrictive for a portfolio or multiple concurrent experiences.

Creative Plus also has custom pricing, billed every 30 days with auto-renewal. It retains 1 user and unlimited views, but permits 2 published projects and removes the Blippar watermark, with free hosting and storage. It is the more suitable solo tier for two projects or presentation without that watermark, but does not add seats.

Pro has custom pricing, billed every 30 days with auto-renewal. It covers 5 users, up to 5 published projects, unlimited views, free hosting and storage, and 1 hour of technical support. The extra seats and support make it better aligned with a small team; the project ceiling remains five.

Education is a custom plan based on educational needs, while Enterprise uses custom pricing for business or organisation needs. Blippar says new subscriptions are suspended while it upgrades its technology platform architecture, so prospective buyers may not currently be able to start a paid plan.

Platforms

The builder is web-based, and the listed platforms include web, Android, and iOS. Created AR content can be experienced on Android and iOS smartphones, desktop, and headsets including Magic Leap 2 and Meta Quest. Viewing requires an internet connection, which rules out offline use.

Who it's for

BlippBuilder suits creators who want a browser-based visual workflow, multiple tracking options, and web distribution by QR code or URL. The free Starter plan is useful for creation and testing, while paid tiers target solo publishers or teams that need live projects. It is a poor fit for offline AR needs or anyone who must publish immediately while new subscriptions are suspended.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Visual editing supports work with or without code, accommodating different creation workflows.
• Pros: Several tracking options, broad media and 3D upload formats, and device preview support varied AR projects.
• Pros: Web publishing, QR codes, and URLs make sharing straightforward across supported devices.
• Cons: Starter does not publish, and published projects stay live only while a subscription is active.
• Cons: Paid-plan subscriptions are currently suspended, limiting its immediate usefulness for prospective publishers.
• Cons: There is no offline AR, and paid Sketchfab assets require a separate download and upload.
• Cons: Published project caps range from one to five on the listed individual and team tiers.

Alternatives

MyWebAR is worth considering when a free allowance of 100 views per year, 100 MB of storage, and five projects is a better fit; its listed platforms also include Linux, macOS, and Windows.

JigSpace may suit users who want a free plan with three active Jigs, three steps, 100MB of team storage, and two user seats, or need listed macOS and Windows support.

Kivicube is an option for users who can work within a free Basic plan limited to two scenes, 500 scene experiences, non-commercial use, ads, and 30M model uploads.

STYLY is another freemium AR option for creators considering its listed smartphone and HMD support and location-alignment features.

WorldCAST may fit projects that benefit from an unlimited monthly view allowance, no expiry date, commercial use, QR code generation, and basic analytics on its free Creator plan.

Assemblr EDU is a more education-focused alternative, with a free plan that includes 400 free 3D objects, limited Topics and Edu Kits, 30 MB storage, unlimited QR markers, and 25 custom graphic AR markers.

Elysium offers a free plan for users seeking private worlds and scenes, 10 GB of asset storage, unlimited bandwidth, and publishing for up to 30 assets on a global CD.

Lens Studio is a free desktop application for Windows 11 (64 bit) or macOS 12.0+ with a minimum of 8 GB RAM.

Browse more options in AR Creation Software or Augmented Reality Software.

Verdict

BlippBuilder is best for creators who want a visual, browser-based way to build connected AR projects with several tracking choices and QR-based preview and sharing. Its free creation tier lowers the barrier to exploring the workflow, but publishing depends on a paid subscription, and new subscriptions are suspended. If you need to publish now or support offline experiences, choose another tool; otherwise, it is a capable option to consider once subscriptions reopen.