The 50 best augmented reality apps for smartphones

The 50 best augmented reality apps for smartphones

Summary





Augmented reality applications on smartphones are not new. Augmented reality on smartphones appeared a few years ago. Popularized by the game Pokémon Go, their number has continued to grow, each time offering new features. The arrival of augmented reality development kits, Apple's ARKit for iOS, and Google's ARCore for Android, however, has been a game-changer and made it easy for developers to create AR apps. Difficult, however, to sort it out. Our American colleagues from the online journal specializing in augmented reality, “Next Reality”, have sifted through hundreds of AR applications. On this basis, we offer you a Top of the best augmented reality apps to discover absolutely. These best augmented reality apps are categorized by themes: travel, top games, social & fun, education, fashion & beauty as well as everyday apps. Most of these apps are free, the rest are very affordable.

The 50 best augmented reality apps for smartphones

Best augmented reality apps for traveling

Traveling in a foreign country can be quite stressful. It is easy to get lost, not knowing how to orient yourself, especially if you do not speak or speak the language of the country badly. Fortunately, augmented reality on smartphones is proving to be of great help. Our Top AR apps for travelers.

Google Translate: the perfect companion when you don't speak the language

Google Translate's augmented reality functionality is ideal for people who do not speak a foreign language or speak poorly. Using your smartphone's camera camera, Google Translate can instantly translate signs or writings into your native language. Completely free, the augmented reality feature of Google Translate is available on iOS and Android.



Blippar: to identify landmarks

Blippar is a free augmented reality application available on both iOS and Android. It offers multiple functionalities such as, for example, the recognition of objects and logos or the recognition of historical sites. 2.000 landmarks are available with an accuracy of around 90%.

ARCity: the complement of Blippar

ARCity is a complement to the Blippar application. This free application, too, is however only available on iOS.. In particular, it improves Bipplar's augmented reality navigation in urban areas.

Find Your Car with AR: to find your car

Find Your Car with AR is a free AR app only available on iOS. It is reserved for heads in the air who regularly forget where they parked their car in a supermarket, airport or other car park. The app will show you the way to find your vehicle through your iPhone's camera.

The best augmented reality games on smartphone or tablet

Augmented reality games are obviously one of the engines of augmented reality on smartphones. There are hundreds of them, free or paid, of varying quality. To discover the recreational potential of augmented reality, we offer you a Top best AR games on Android and iOS.

The 50 best augmented reality apps for smartphones

Pokémon GO: the megahit of AR games on smartphones

Launched in 2016, Pokémon Go has become a real global success. This is the game that really democratized augmented reality on smartphones. Created by Niantic, Pokémon Go is a game in which players must go out hunting for Pokémon. The game was subsequently enriched with many features and new Legendary Pokémon are added regularly. Note that Niantic should soon launch a similar game called "Harry Potter: Wizards Unite", an augmented reality game based on the wizarding universe of Hogwarts. Pokémon Go is available for free on iOS and Android.



Ingress: one of the pioneers of augmented reality games

Also developed by Niantic, Ingress is the pioneer of geo-location based AR games. Ingress plunges the user into a cyberpunk universe. Niantic is working on a big update to this AR game that will add new features and a new story. Ingress is free and available on both iOS and Android.

PuzzlAR: World Tour: 3D puzzles

“PuzzlAR: World Tour” is an augmented reality game that takes famous monuments like, for example, the Statue of Liberty or the Taj Mahal, to explode them into numerous 3D puzzle pieces. The augmented reality puzzle game features a well thought out and intuitive interface. "PuzzlAR: World Tour" is available on iOS for $ 2.99 and on Android for $ 1.99.

NBA AR: an augmented reality basketball game

NBA AR is a game based on the American Basketball Championship. This fun AR game will force the player to orient their smartphone correctly to score baskets. It does, however, require a little practice and a fairly large space. NBA AR is not available on iOS. It's free, but still a big incentive to buy tickets to watch NBA games and watch NBA TV shows.

Metaverse: do quizzes and treasure hunts in AR

Metaverse is an application that allows you to carry out real quizzes and treasure hunts in augmented reality yourself. One of the characteristics of the application is its simplicity and a spectacular result. Completely free, Metaverse is available on both iPhone and smartphones using Android.

The Machines: an augmented reality strategy game

The Machines is a little AR gaming wonder. You will have to place towers and manage troops on a real 3D battlefield. You will have to defend your positions and attack those of the game's artificial intelligence or those of another player. A very immersive augmented reality game available only on iOS for $ 4.99.

Father IO: an AR game that requires an accessory

Father IO turns your surroundings into a battle arena. You must have the Interceptor accessory and clip it onto your smartphone. This accessory will turn your phone into a laser gun. You will be able to lead, with your friends, real fights in your street, house or neighborhood. The app, which works on iOS and Android, is completely free. Count however $ 39.99 to acquire the accessory Interceptor.

The best social apps in AR and entertainment

The main social networks have seized on augmented reality to add entertaining functions. Other applications offer to add augmented reality to your photos and videos. Our Top AR Social Apps and Augmented Reality Entertainment Apps.

The 50 best augmented reality apps for smartphones

Snapchat: the benchmark for social networks in AR

Very youth-oriented, Snapchat was one of the very first social networks to add augmented reality features to smartphones. Snapchat allows users to transform their selfies by adding filters or stickers. It is also possible to add masks. Some small augmented reality games are also available. Snapchat works on iPhone as well as on Android smartphones and is free.

Instagram: plagiarism of Snapchat features

The Instagram application, owned by Facebook, was largely inspired by the augmented reality features offered by Snapchat. A little less rich in AR features than its competitor, Instagram however offers a whole range of filters and stickers in augmented reality. Instagram is free and available on iOS and Android.

Facebook and Messenger: heavyweights in the age of AR

Facebook and its real-time messaging system, Messenger, couldn't give Snapchat a monopoly on augmented reality. The social media giant has also drawn heavily in the features offered by Snapchat to catch up. Facebook and Messenger also offer other effects in augmented reality. These are however often limited to the front camera. Facebook and Messenger are of course free and available on all smartphone models.

Animojis: the augmented reality showcase for the iPhone X

Animojis is an augmented reality application that only works with the iPhone X. This app makes perfect use of the possibilities offered by facial capture and the TrueDepht mode. Completely free for owners of the Apple brand flagship, Animojis offers a wide range of various masks that reflect the user's facial expressions.

Clips: to modify the backgrounds in AR

Clips is a free application for iPhone. It offers different AR functions but it is with an iPhone X that it offers the best results. It is thus possible to replace the background on a selfie with various scenes such as taken from cult films such as Star Wars, Finding Dory or Monsters, inc.

AR Stickers: add animated 3D characters

AR Stickers only work on Google Pixel smartphones. This application allows to add animated characters in 3D to its environment. Different sticker packs are available and it is even possible to make characters interact with each other. Completely free, AR Stickers only work on Google Pixels phones.

Dubface: your face on animated 3D characters

 Dubface allows you to place your face (or that of friends) or even celebrities on animated characters in 3 dimensions. Dubface is free but count however 0.99 dollars for the version without advertising. Dubface uses Apple's ARKit and is therefore only available on iOS.

MSQRD: an alternative to Snapchat

MSQRD takes many features from Snapchat. You can use face masks or virtual helmets on your photos or videos. Unlike Snapchat, MSQRD allows you to publish your content on Facebook Live. The augmented reality application is free and available on iOS and Android.

Holo: realistic AR content for your photos and videos

Holo is an augmented reality app for iOS and Android that offers realistic 3D content to enhance your photos and videos. Over 300 models are available, many from cult movies. Although reserved for a more "mundane" public, Holo is completely free.

Sketchfab AR: an incredible library of AR objects

Sketchfab AR is well known among developers of augmented reality applications. This app also allows everyone to easily add 3D objects in augmented reality to their photos and videos. Completely free and working on iOS and Android, Sketchfab AR has the big advantage of its huge library of 3D objects in augmented reality.

Eyejack: AR poster animations

Eyejack is a markerless scene tracking app. The AR application takes the traditional art and replaces it with a "trippy" animation. Eyejack is free and available on both iOS and Android.

Lego AR Studio: Add Lego Sets to Your Surroundings

Lego AR Studio allows you to play Lego without having to put the pieces together. You will be able to place Lego creations in your environment and interact with them. Lego AR Studio is an application developed with the ARKit and therefore only available on iOS. Although free, the application obviously encourages the purchase of Lego bricks ...

World Brush: sharing works in augmented reality

World Brush is not an augmented reality drawing application but an app that allows artists to easily share their creations with the rest of the world. Using GPS data, it is possible to share the location of a virtual graffiti, painting or street art work. Everything is anonymous but a voting system eliminates the weeds. World Brush is available on iOS for $ 0.99.

AR Lyrics: know the lyrics of the songs

AR Lyrics allows you to recognize a song using the smartphone's microphone and display its lyrics. A very interesting augmented reality application for those who forget the title of a song and those who want to know the lyrics. AR Lyrics is free and only available on iOS.

Like: create music and clips

Like is an augmented reality application very geared towards adolescents. The application allows you to create music videos and share them with friends. You can add music and mix augmented reality visual effects on the video. Creations can be shared on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Musically, etc. Like is free and available on both iOS and Android.

Just a Line: add lines to your environment

Developed by Google, Just a Line is an application intended to show the potential of ARCore. You will be able to draw white lines in augmented reality and then record a video showing your creation. Easy to use Just a Line is very efficient. It is only available for free on Android.

Face Maker: dummy face paint in AR

Face Maker uses the TrueDepht feature of iPhone X. You will be able to create face paintings very easily with a high degree of precision. Awesome mesh effects are also available. The app is available for $ 1.99 only for the iPhone X.

The best fashion and beauty AR apps

Makeup applications have been so successful to the point that many augmented reality fashion and beauty applications have emerged. Discover our Top of the best beauty and fashion apps in augmented reality.

The 50 best augmented reality apps for smartphones

YouCam Makeup: the benchmark for makeup applications

YouCam Makeup is an application that allows you to test a very large selection of makeup on one of your selfies. Many celebrity make-up are available but it is possible to try out the entire range of make-up from major brands such as L'Oréal, Chanel, Armani, Lancôme, etc. YouCam Makeup is free and available on iOS and Android.

Makeup: more than 2.000 make-up to test in augmented reality

Like YouCam Makeup, Makeup allows you to test a large number of celebrity makeup and hairstyles. All colors and shades are available for a wide variety of styles. Makeup is also a free application running on iOS and Android.

InkHunter: an application to test before getting a tattoo

A tattoo does not erase or very difficult. Before you take the plunge and adorn your skin with a tattoo that you might later regret, InkHunter lets you test a tattoo on your body. A welcome help before making the decision to get a tattoo. InkHunter is free and runs on iOS and Android.

Glasses: know which type of glasses is right for your face

It is very difficult to find a frame that perfectly matches your face and your style. Indeed, depending on the shape of your face, some forms of glasses are suitable and others are not. In order not to make any mistakes, Glasses allows you to know the types of frames adapted to your face. LThe augmented reality application uses the TrueDepht function of the iPhone X and is therefore only compatible with this model of smartphone. Glasses is free.

Gucci: virtually try on the brand's eyewear models

Gucci is an application for iPhone X that allows you to virtually try on the models of the Italian brand. A version for iOS and Android also allows you to scan shop windows to reveal animations. The application is free.

Best educational apps in augmented reality

Augmented reality is a great tool for teaching. Many applications are available. here is the Top educational apps in AR.

The 50 best augmented reality apps for smartphones

Complete Anatomy 2018: all about human anatomy

Complete Anatomy is an augmented reality application for young children. It helps to know and understand human anatomy. The app is available for free on iOS. Additional purchases make it possible to go further. These are priced between $ 1 and $ 50.

SkyView: to know which constellation you see

SkyView is an augmented reality application that uses your smartphone camera. You just have to point your phone at a starry sky to know which constellation you are looking at and which celestial bodies you can admire. There is a free version on iOS and Android as well as a paid version, more advanced, priced at $ 1.99.

JigSpace: to find out how objects and the human body work

JigSpace is an augmented reality application that shows how mechanical objects and even the human body work without having to open or disassemble. A particularly interesting educational and immersive application. JigSpace is free but only works on iOS.

NY Times: the famous newspaper's AR app

The famous New York newspaper, the NY Times, a real institution in the United States, now offers to follow certain news in augmented reality. The journalistic application in AR is free and available on iOS and Android. Paid supplements are also available at varying prices.

BBC Civilizations: a museum at your fingertips

BBC Civilizations is an educational application taken from the eponymous program of the famous British channel BBC. It allows you to visualize, in 3D and in augmented reality, ancient artefacts in your living room. These objects, belonging to museums around the world reveal wonders of the ancient world and allow you to get to know them as well as possible. The app is free and available on both iOS and Android.

SketchAR: to learn drawing easily

SketchAR is an application that allows you to learn to draw using augmented reality. After analyzing the environment and the drawing surface, SketAR will ink the chosen drawing step by step and you will only have to follow the curves. The application is available for free on iOS, Android but also on HoloLens where it is fully useful.

Sun Seeker: to know everything about the movements of the earth

Sun Seeker will explain the solar path to you on our planet. You will be able to visualize the time intervals in augmented reality and understand, at best, how the days and nights unfold. Sold for $ 9.99, the Sun Seeker augmented reality app is available on iOS and Android.

Froggipedia: the anatomy of a frog without dissection

Froggipedia allows you to know everything about the anatomy of a frog without having to dissect it. An augmented reality application that will undoubtedly save thousands of amphibian lives. The dissection of a frog is part of the American school curriculum. The app sells for $ 3.99 and is only available on iOS.

GeoGebra Augmented Reality: visualize graphs in AR

GeoGebra Augmented Reality is the equivalent of a graphing calculator. This application allows you to view equations and graphs in augmented reality. It is free but only available on iOS.

The best useful applications in augmented reality

Because the possibilities offered by augmented reality are colossal (and there are many possible fields to explore), here is the Top particularly useful AR apps. These applications could become indispensable in everyday life.

The 50 best augmented reality apps for smartphones

Measure Kit: to measure everything using augmented reality

Measure Kit is an application that allows you to easily take a large number of measurements. You can of course evaluate a distance with great precision but also measure the cubic volume of an object or even determine a trajectory. Measure Kit uses iPhone X Face Mesh and TrueDepht. The app is therefore only available on this smartphone model at a price of $ 4.99. Multiply the price by two for the Pro version.

AirMeasure: mark outlines and preview objects

AirMesure uses the Measure Kit principle and also allows you to create floor plans, mark the outline of a sports field, draw in space and preview the furniture in a room. The application, however, is significantly less precise than Measure Kit. It is free and available on iOS and Android.

AiPoly: an AR application for the blind

AiPoly is an augmented reality application that uses depth management to indicate to blind people the presence of objects, their distance and announce it aloud. The AiPoly app, which runs on iOS and Android, is free for a week and costs $ 4.99 per month thereafter..

IKEA Place: Swedish furniture in an AR app

IKEA Place is an app from furniture giant IKEA. It allows you to view the furniture in the catalog in your environment and ensure that the chosen style and colors are the right ones. It also ensures that the space in your room is sufficient to accommodate the furniture chosen. IKEA Place is a free augmented reality app available on iOS and Android.

Vuforia Chalk: remote maintenance

Vuforia Chalk is an augmented reality application that shares a video of a person and thus makes it possible to give indications for remote maintenance. Your grandmother won't need to call you over the next time she can't do something with her computer ... Vuforia Chalk is free but only available on iOS.

Amazon: visualize Amazon products in their environment

Like the IKEA application, Amazon offers an app allowing you to preview furniture in your environment. However, the application goes further by also offering to preview electronic products, toys and other products. A very practical application to furnish and equip your interior. Amazon is free and available on iOS and Android.

BMW: preview a model of the range in its driveway

BMW also offers to preview a model in your environment. The German car manufacturer offers to visualize the interior and exterior of 3 of its models. The augmented reality application also allows you to customize the paint, trim and wheels. BMW's AR app is obviously free and works on iOS and Android.



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