The AR (Augmented Reality) vs VR (Virtual Reality) debate has been ongoing, but for most retail use cases in 2026, AR is the more practical choice.
Accessibility
VR requires expensive headsets and isolation. AR just needs a phone - something all your customers already have in their pocket. With AR viewers that run in the phone's browser (such as the one on 3DView.ai), customers don't even need to install an app.
Context Matters
When buying furniture, you want to see the sofa in YOUR living room, not a virtual showroom. AR overlays the digital model onto the real world, providing crucial context for purchase decisions.
Measure It Yourself
Results differ by product and by store. If you add AR, compare conversion and returns for those products before and after, on your own data.