Freedom251 › Augmented Reality Learning Apps
OpenAR
What OpenAR is
OpenAR is a free, open-source resource for creating lightweight augmented reality experiences that run in a web browser. Its templates can be customized, and its tutorials are designed to help people with limited coding knowledge make interactive AR projects. The resource includes trainings, templates, and tutorials for digital humanities practitioners, and is built using the free, browser-based AR.js library.
OpenAR describes projects that connect digital work with physical spaces, historical narratives, and cultural objects. These projects can support research, teaching, and public engagement. The resource is intended for scholars, educators, and public practitioners who use digital technologies in the humanities. The Digital Writing Environments, Location, and Localization (DWELL) Lab at the University of Rhode Island brings the project to visitors; its headquarters are in Kingston, Rhode Island, USA.
OpenAR says specialized training modules and public workshops are planned in partnership with the DWELL Lab at URI. The project was described as under development in 2025, and its site asks visitors to check back for updates. Its Free plan is listed as free, with all resources available online at no cost. The supported platform is web, and lesson authoring is supported.
Who it suits
OpenAR suits scholars, educators, and public practitioners who want to create browser-based AR projects for humanities research, teaching, or public work. Its templates and tutorials are intended to help people with limited coding knowledge build interactive experiences linked to places, historical narratives, or cultural objects.
What it does well
- Free, open-source resource with all resources available online.
- Customizable templates and tutorials support interactive AR creation.
- Designed for users with limited coding knowledge.
- Uses the free, browser-based AR.js library.
- Supports research, teaching, and public humanities projects.
What to know first
- The project was under development in 2025.
- The supported platform is web.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free | All resources freely available online | Free |
As openar.tech lists them, read 8 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the OpenAR website.
- Browse the online templates, tutorials, and training resources.
- Use the browser-based AR.js library through OpenAR's resources.
- Create a project using a customizable AR template.
Verdict
Choose OpenAR if you want a free, browser-based resource for making lightweight AR experiences in digital humanities. Its templates and tutorials are aimed at people with limited coding knowledge. Consider the project's stated under-development status when deciding whether it fits your plans.
Questions
Is OpenAR free?
Yes. Its Free plan is listed as free, and all resources are available online at no cost.
Is OpenAR open source?
Yes. OpenAR is described as an open-source resource.
Which platform does it support?
OpenAR supports web and its AR experiences run in a browser.
Who makes OpenAR?
The project is brought to visitors by the Digital Writing Environments, Location, and Localization (DWELL) Lab at the University of Rhode Island.
Does OpenAR offer training?
The resource includes trainings, templates, and tutorials. It says specialized training modules and public workshops are planned with the DWELL Lab at URI.
Is OpenAR fully developed?
The project described itself as under development in 2025 and asks visitors to check back for updates.
Facts from OpenAR's own pages
- Audience
- OpenAR is designed for scholars, educators, and public practitioners who use digital technologies in the humanities. · openar.tech, 8 Oct 2026
- Core features
- Its customizable AR templates and tutorials are intended to help people with limited coding knowledge create interactive AR experiences. · openar.tech, 8 Oct 2026
- Headquarters
- Kingston, Rhode Island, USA · openar.tech, 28 Sept 2026
- Maker
- The site says OpenAR is brought to visitors by the Digital Writing Environments, Location, and Localization (DWELL) Lab at the University of Rhode Island. · openar.tech, 8 Oct 2026
- Platforms
- OpenAR describes its experiences as web-based and says they do not require app-based platforms. · openar.tech, 8 Oct 2026
- Project status
- The site says the project is under development in 2025 and asks visitors to check back for updates. · openar.tech, 8 Oct 2026
- Toolkit
- The project offers trainings, templates, and tutorials for digital humanities practitioners. · openar.tech, 8 Oct 2026
- Training
- The project says it will offer specialized training modules and public workshops in partnership with the DWELL Lab at URI. · openar.tech, 8 Oct 2026
- Underlying library
- The project uses the free, browser-based AR.js library. · openar.tech, 8 Oct 2026
- Use cases
- The site describes using OpenAR for research, teaching, and public projects involving physical spaces, historical narratives, and cultural objects. · openar.tech, 8 Oct 2026
- What it is
- OpenAR is a free, open source resource for building lightweight browser-based augmented reality experiences. · openar.tech, 8 Oct 2026
Where OpenAR stands on Freedom251
- Augmented Reality Learning Apps#15 of 25