Top 5 Free Augmented Reality Apps for Android & iOS

Augmented reality (AR) apps may appear futuristic, but consumers are catching on much faster than you might think.

According to a recent survey, 60 % of consumers prefer stores to provide Augmented reality, and  40% would be willing to pay more after experiencing the products through augmented reality.

However, nearly two-thirds of businesses do not even use the technology.

What is Augmented Reality

Augmented reality is a technology that allows users to see 3D visualizations in real time.This gives the impression that the virtual object is coexisting with them in the physical world.

This gives the impression that the virtual object is coexisting with them in the physical world.

Assume you want to buy some antique furniture for your home.While photos, videos, and 360-degree images are useful, it is natural to be skeptical about whether your chosen piece of furniture will fit in with your existing décor.

This is when augmented reality (AR) comes into play and provides you with an AR experience – you can see how a table looks in your study room or how an ottoman fits in your living room.

We've compiled a list of the top 5 augmented reality apps for Android and iOS that deserve your attention.

Free Augmented Reality Apps 

1. Google lens

Google Lens, one of the AR apps available only for Android, improves the search experience. Rather than typing a text-based query, open the app and point it at what you want to learn more about. 

Google Lens will identify the object, tell you what the text says, and even store important numbers.

Google Lens can also be accessed from the Google Photos and Google Assistant apps (a great hack for iOS users!).

Download Google Lens: Android

3. Google Maps

Google's interest in augmented reality (AR) goes beyond photography and creativity, bringing a more practical application to Google Maps.The popular mapping app includes an AR mode that assists you in navigating to your destination by superimposing virtual signs and directional arrows over your phone's live view to point the way.

It's a significant improvement over the previous method, with the arrows providing a helpful visual cue that takes the guesswork out of getting from Point A to Point B.

Download Google Maps: Android, iOS

3. Mission To mars

There are videos to watch and educational articles to read, but the augmented reality experiences are far more interesting. You can goggle at a rocket launch, try to control a terrifying landing sequence, or walk onto Mars via a virtual portal.

Mission to Mars gives you a taste of what it's like to be on the moon—and how humanity is currently exploring it.

Download Mission to Mars AR: Android, iOS

4. Snapchat

Snapchat's self-destructing messages have already been popular with users, but this social media app also includes augmented reality elements in the form of Lenses, which are real-time transformations, filters, and special effects that you can add to Snapchat video messages that you send to your contacts.

The right lens can turn you into an animal, swap your face for someone else's, or make you barf rainbows, adding a fun and silly element to your Snapchat messages.

Download  Snapchat:  iOS , Android 

5. YouCam Makeup

YouCam Makeup is the next augmented reality app on the list.We now shift our focus away from interior design and toward the artistry of cosmetics.

Purchasing makeup is typically a leap of faith – you may be able to try on samples at the makeup counter, but fluorescent lighting plays tricks on the eyes and does not account for typical selfie lighting conditions.But YouCam does, allowing customers to use AR technology to test makeup from a variety of major brands. 

Download YouCam Makeup:  iOS , Android 

6. Roar

ROAR is another of the best augmented reality apps for business owners. There are numerous applications for it, including the creation of an AR-powered online store accessible when customers scan product packaging at home, incorporating AR into print advertisements, and even determining which products and categories are most popular when experienced through AR.

On the consumer side, the app improves both in-store and at-home brand experiences by providing deeper, more engaging content and information about products of interest.They can read reviews, compare prices, and even buy the product in-app.

Download Roar: iOS , Android