How To Create an Augmented Reality App: Features & Cost

This article is intended for startups and businesses interested in augmented reality app development. Here you can learn how AR technology can benefit your business, how an AR app is made, and how much it may cost. 

 

If you need advice, assistance, or professionals to create augmented reality apps for your organization, Onix is here to help! We have extensive and varied experience in augmented reality software development and can implement any AR solution you envision!

 

Below, you can see an example of our augmented reality mobile app development. The OnixAR app was created to enrich our printed brochures at trade fairs. As attendees moved mobile phone cameras over the brochure, they could reveal Onix’s statistics and projects and explore a 3D model of our headquarters.

A screenshot from the OnixAR app developed by Onix

Augmented Reality App Features to Consider

Your augmented reality application development should start with an understanding of what AR can do for your business. Here are several examples that may give you an idea.

 

 

Image revelations in augmented reality

The most basic AR experience consists of a marker (QR code, sign, photo, etc.) that reveals another image when scanned. It’s pretty easy to put easy-to-scan 2D tags on labels, business cards, marketing brochures, catalogs, textbooks, posters, artwork, etc.

 

Read also: Use Cases of AR for kids

 

Below, you can see another example of augmented reality development by Onix – a watches virtual try-on solution. The user places a printed marker at the wrist level, and the app overlays it with a wristwatch of the selected model.

 

 

Learn more: Augmented Reality in Retail & Shopping: Benefits and Use Cases

 

Shoppers can scan QR codes or images and experience an extra dimension to a product. Onix also developed a supermarket AR scanner that enables shoppers to access a product’s description, ingredients, and even price comparisons on the go. This feature can significantly enrich a supermarket or grocery app.

 

 

QR codes may also enable customers to purchase goods, tickets, and services on the go.

 

Learn more: QR Codes for Payments: How to Implement and Why?

 

It’s not only QR codes and pictures that can trigger an application. For example, optical character recognition can detect foreign words via the camera. The app then would find equivalents in a user’s preferred language to overlay the original text, facilitating the translation of signs or messages in real time.

 

AR image gallery

A scanned AR marker can also trigger a whole image gallery to open. For example, when a shopper scans a clothing item in a catalog, an AR gallery would show other color options or styles, overlay the scanned piece with matching clothes or accessories, and invite the viewer to proceed to the online store.

 

Learn more: Augmented & Virtual Reality in Marketing: Use Cases

 

Augmented reality with a video

Augmented reality app developers can attach one or several video snippets to an AR marker, seemingly making images come to life or extending the story through full-screen videos, e.g., for instruction, entertainment, or marketing purposes, just like the OnixAR app did: 

 

 

Read also: AR vacuum cleaner development

 

In the case of multiple videos per marker, one piece will be retrieved randomly when a person scans the marker. If the same user rescans it, they will be able to watch a different video. You can upload the same video in multiple languages, but each user will view it in their preferred language (as per their app settings).

 

Learn more: Augmented Reality (AR) in Business: 16 Ideas & Real-Life Examples

 

Transparent video layer

If you need the AR content to interact with the physical environment, you may need to shoot the video content on a green background. For example, this approach can help a clothing brand to present its fashion show in a consumer’s living room, and AR holograms of coaches can transform it into a gym.

 

Read also: How to Implement VR and AR in Fitness in 2025

 

AR face masks 

‘Face filters’ projected through a smartphone’s camera are not only for fun in social media apps. Users can also experiment with products like cosmetics, glasses, accessories, headwear, etc., using their mobile devices.

 

For example, the Onix team once developed an AR solution for web and offline systems that enables users to try on glasses and sunglasses virtually. The system uses realistic materials, reflections, a complex shader with refraction, and many other parameters for the lenses.

 

Similarly, an app can change the color of a piece of furniture on a shopper’s mobile screen or show what a place looked like in the Middle Ages when a tourist scans a modern map.

 

Static 3D models

The most basic option is to go for a static 3D model, adjusting its size and position towards the marker.

 

This application often complements printed materials but is also suitable for product demonstrations that don’t require much movement, such as furniture, electronics, and even real estate.

 

For example, potential property buyers can see it come to life from a plain 2D blueprint. If users need to see how a potential purchase fits in the room, you may enable them to ‘walk around it’ and look at it from different angles in AR.

 

You can also let users ‘see through’ physical objects, e.g., during machinery and equipment presentations. Below, you can see an Android project of Onix’s Unity developers. AR technology and object recognition enable 3D experiences showing parts of the car with descriptions, with an option to animate objects.

 

 

You can enrich the 3D models with text or audio to deliver more valuable information on the revealed parts and processes.

 

3D animations in AR

This content is basically 3D models, but they’re animated. This application will require creating an asset pack with animations.

 

360° tours in AR

People can explore digitally rendered environments using smart glasses/XR headsets like Apple Vision Pro or by moving mobile devices around in a manner similar to wearing a VR headset. The environment may present your office, store, event, or property you are trying to sell.

 

It’s possible to provide this experience using a panoramic image or video. Such applications will likely require creating high-quality panoramic views and advanced help to shoot the necessary video.

 

Read also: TriptoVR – your gateway to the world’s best travel destinations

 

Location-based AR

AR apps can also guide users through physical environments. Wormhole Blue is an example of Onix’s AR game development for smartphones. Players interact with other users presented by avatars and with AR objects – called points of interest (POIs) – connected with geodata.

 

The Onix team developed a custom geopositioning system for objects and avatars based on the ECEF coordinate system. POIs are displayed on the globe view and on a map in augmented reality.

 

Quests are scattered around the world. Many are multi-step, each step with its own geoposition. The user must visit all locations and complete all tasks to finish the quest and receive a reward. 

 

 

NFTs in AR

Besides physical objects, users can also visualize their NFTs, interact with their 3D models, and share them with others through social media.

 

Below, you can take a glance at Onix’s Fini NFTs project that involved implementing 40+ innovative special effects representing the dynamics of cryptocurrency rates.

 

 

Augmented reality with calls-to-action

Any AR content can come with virtual buttons to enable users to take the desired action, e.g., to read more or make a purchase. Multiple AR buttons, preferably no more than five per screen, can lead to whatever digital destinations you want.

 

You can also include Google Tracking links within the buttons to track conversions. The user’s default language can determine the buttons’ language.

 

These are only a few examples of the technology’s abilities and use cases of AR in businesses. Further AR development paired with advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms will help provide more life-like experiences, improve app performance, and increase user satisfaction.

 

 

How to Create an Augmented Reality App?

We can divide the process of augmented reality app creation into six steps: 

 

1. Project discovery stage (research, requirements elicitation, and documentation)
2. Choice of AR app developers for the project
3. App features and technology stack decisions 
4. Design stage (prototyping and the creation of 3D models)
5. Development stage, including the back-end and front-end development, AR module development, and quality assurance (QA)
6. Deployment

 

Below, we will offer practical advice for each project stage.

 

1. Preparation for AR application development

Any software development project begins with the definition of business goals, i.e. what results you expect from implementing an AR solution or a particular AR feature. 

 

If you are developing an app for your company’s employees, you need to thoroughly understand their needs and goals and design your AR app to solve critical issues for them.

 

If you develop a commercial product, you need to understand your target audience and competition. You can take the following steps:

 

• Analyze the local market state, find niches that still have space for new players, and list the leading applications.

 

• Explore the competitors’ offerings and business models. Evaluate their features, design, AR content, and performance; list their strengths and weaknesses.

 

 

• Analyze your target audience’s demographics, interests, income, preferences, etc.

 

• Based on the collected data, create your ‘unique selling point,’ i.e. how your application can beat the competition.

 

Use the collected information to describe how AR in your app should work to complete tasks for the user and add value for a business, and how the app should grow your business.

 

This step also includes the choice of the augmented reality platform and devices that should support your application. Currently, the platforms you may target are as follows:

 

• Apple devices: iPhone, iPad, MacBook, or Vision Pro headset. 

 

• Android devices: smartphones and tablets that run on the Android OS. 

 

• Windows devices: Windows computers and HoloLens that run on Windows Holographic OS. 

 

• Web browsers: Chrome, Safari, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, and other AR-compatible browsers.

 

If you don’t have the time or confidence for all this research and decisions, you can engage professionals right at your product’s discovery stage. Software engineers that build augmented reality apps for various purposes and sectors know all the best practices and pitfalls.

 

They can analyze your idea and its feasibility and viability, share recommendations on improving it, and even tell how much it may cost to develop an augmented reality app for you.

 

For instance, when Onix provides project discovery services, our experts collect the client’s requirements, prepare the product specification and basic design, suggest the best solutions and technologies, build a proof of concept, if needed, and estimate the budget.

 

 

Even if you don’t contract these assistants to build your AR app, this approach will still be beneficial: experienced software engineers can share invaluable insights, identify risks early on, and help pick the right tech stack for your product.

 

The materials they deliver will help the product development team understand the tasks faster and better and work more efficiently.

 

Read also: How VR App Development Helps Navigate Business Growth

 

2. Engagement of augmented reality app developers

Depending on the augmented reality platforms you target and the app’s planned functionalities, you may need as many as eight people to build it:

 

• UI/UX designer
• 2D/3D artist
• one or two AR developers
• mobile or web developer
• one or two server developers
• QA engineer
• a project manager

 

Outsourcing the job rather than hiring an in-house team may be preferable for several reasons. Contracting an augmented reality app development company is the best way to enter the market and get a return on your investment faster.

 

A remote dedicated team brings to the table ample experience that can save you tons of time and money. The hourly rates of developers in developing countries can be several times lower than in the US, Western Europe, and other countries with a higher cost of living.

 

Moreover, you save on software, human resources, and troubleshooting costs.

 

You may find augmented reality app development services on platforms like Clutch, IT Firms, GoodFirms, The Manifest, or TopDevelopers. You can view each IT vendor’s expertise, tech stack, location, rates, clients’ reviews, etc.

 

Learn more: How to Hire Developers for VR and AR Projects

 

However you look for specialists, experience and professionalism should come first, the price second. For example, Onix’s experts have worked on dozens of projects for various devices using a plethora of AR development tools, including the latest technology.

 

Below you can see a fresh example of Onix’s visionOS app development – a concept of interactive engine disassembly instructions made by our Unity department.

 

 

Onix can provide you with a skilled and experienced dedicated project team or build your AR-enriched application from A to Z. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions!

 

3. Choice of the app features and tech stack to build them

The product development team needs a detailed list of the app functionalities that should help accomplish the identified goals. Some of the features that AR app developers may have to integrate include:

 

• QR scanner
• Marker recognition
• GPS location tracking
• Maps integration
• Face tracking and effects
• A library of 2D and 3D elements
• Screen capturing for photos and video recording
• Cloud marker solution

 

Depending on the AR app’s purpose, it may also have to gather and use audio information, information about brightness, infrared light presence, or other optical data, biological data like the heart rate or temperature, and environmental data like temperature, air quality, or humidity.

 

If you have a limited budget, are not sure of your app idea, or wish to test the water before investing in something big, building a BETA version or minimum viable product (MVP) first is a sensible solution. Professionals should help you prioritize the desired app features depending on your business goals.

 

Besides the AR-related features and content, the app should have other essential components, such as registration with a minimum of personal data and a convenient and safe log-in procedure. Social media integration will enable users to share their app content, attracting more potential customers to your business.

 

For example, Tarot Tap, a mobile app that Onix helped create, has an augmented reality mode. When a player turns on the rear or front camera, the virtual tarot cards’ illustrations are projected either on their interior or landscape or positioned on their forehead, respectively.

Tarot Tap – an example of AR game development by Onix 

 

Tarot Tap users may share screenshots and videos from their tarot readings with others. They can invite friends to join their reading room using AirDrop (iOS) or Nearby Share (Android). Once connected, they can watch the host perform a tarot reading, communicate with others in the room, and exchange messages via a chat feature.

 

Detailed descriptions of the app’s purposes and features will help the software engineers pick the best technologies and tools for building your custom AR software. Other factors that may influence their decisions include:

 

• the target operating platform(s)
• budget
• deadlines
• possibility and frequency of AR app updates
• monetization strategy and licenses

 

There are four approaches to AR application development:

 

1. native
2. cross-platform
3. hybrid
4. web AR

 

Native AR app development lets developers take advantage of all the device’s capabilities and ensure the best performance. The developers may use different programming languages:

 

iOS, iPadOS, macOS – Swift and Objective-C

Apple Vision Pro – SwiftUI 

Android – Kotlin

 

If you opt for native mobile development, budget or time restrictions may force the team to choose between two AR development platforms: Apple ARKit for iOS devices and Google ARCore for Android devices. 

Your choice will primarily depend on your business goals. For example, if you want to generate money through in-app purchases, go for ARKit. If you want to reach the maximum number of users, ARCore is your choice: Android dominates the global OS market.

 

Cross-platform AR app development requires using third-party frameworks and software development kits (SDKs) to create AR experiences for both mobile OSs and Windows using one codebase. 

 

This approach may be better if you aim for the fastest time-to-market. Cross-platform code may be enough for a simpler application.

 

An SDK is a pack of software tools and programs that facilitate adding special features to a product faster and without errors. It includes guides, processes, code samples, documentation, libraries, etc. Different SDKs are designed for different programming languages and platforms.

 

Ideally, the right SDK would support both iOS and Android. 3D object tracking and recognition are the most important features to look for. Cloud recognition will ensure that a mobile application recognizes markers without taking up much space on the device.

 

It must also support the Unity engine. Unity AR Foundation is a robust solution for cross-platform AR app development. It supports plane detection, anchors, light estimation, 2D tracking, 3D tracking, body tracking, occlusion, and more.

 

Popular SDK options include, but are not limited to:

 

• ARToolKit
• Banuba
• DeepAR
• EasyAR
• Kudan
• Mapbox 
• Maxst
• Visage SDK
• Vuforia
• Wikitude
• Xzimg

The following criteria should be considered to choose the best AR SDKs for your project:

 

• price
• supported platforms
• marker/markerless/object/geo tracking
• cloud support and local storage

 

Cross-platform code can be written in C#, C++, Java, and JavaScript.

 

Hybrid AR app development also helps create AR apps for various platforms using the same codebase, but is a less popular approach. 

 

Users can download hybrid apps from Apple’s AppStore or Google Play store and install them on their smartphones and tablets, but they are actually web-based applications that may come with poor functionality and performance issues.

 

Hybrid app development programming and markup languages include HTML, CSS, and Javascript.

 

Web-based AR app development enables you to develop an augmented reality app that can run in any compatible browser on smartphones, tablets, and computers.

 

For example, Onix’s AR Magic Print project produced an innovative AR platform that transforms printed materials into interactive advertisements, educational content, and more!

Example of web AR app development by Onix – AR Magic Print

 

Web AR experiences are excellent for many businesses because they don’t require special hardware. All a customer will need is their smartphone or a web browser. However, such apps have lower performance than native applications and can’t work offline. 

 

The most popular programming and markup languages for web AR development are:

 

• JavaScript
• HTML 
• CSS
• TypeScript
• Java
• Python

 

4. App design and AR content creation

Augmented reality application development involves experts in mobile user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design and branding and 3D artists with image processing skills. Depending on the app type, they may have to create animated images or 3D models to project on real-world objects or environments. 

 

The creation of 3D models includes the development of detailed 3D graphics, which should look as natural and realistic as possible.

Alternatively, you can choose to integrate a library of pre-built 2D/3D objects. For instance, one of Onix’s open projects – Sonar Viewer – downloads 3D models for viewing from Sketchfab. 

 

Here’s some advice from Onix’s app developers:

 

• Some users can be new to AR. The app should onboard and guide them with step-by-step tips to showcase the AR features.

 

• Don’t overload your camera view with secondary components.

 

• If users are to hold smartphones or tablets in their hands, AR session times should be limited to prevent fatigue.

 

• Keep in mind your users’ safety, since people engrossed in your augmented reality app can expose themselves to real-life risks. Consider safe routes, send warning notifications, etc.

 

Read also: Successful Marine Simulator Development

 

The designers must also work on your application’s logo, branding, visual style, screenshots for the app store pages, etc., aiming for a unique visual representation.

 

5. Front-end and back-end software development

Now it’s the software engineers’ turn to program the mobile app’s features, AR modules, and server side based on the produced specifications and design materials and using a selected SDK. 

 

Before proper coding, the developers usually need to create the API contract, prioritize tech tasks, and choose optimal development tools and practices for the project.

 

The back-end development includes API and server implementation and sets up the connections between the mobile app, servers, databases, your website (if any), and third-party services.

 

The team must thoroughly test each implemented functionality and technical solution to prevent problems with app performance, scalability, and reliability.

 

If something doesn't pass the acceptance testing, QA engineers prepare detailed reports for the developers to fix all detected issues. Before release, they must make sure your app is error-free and runs smoothly on different devices.

 

Simultaneously, the team prepares the technical documentation to facilitate the work of developers who will update, fix, or upgrade your AR application later.

 

6. Deployment

A commercial mobile AR application should be published on Google Play or App Store, so anyone can install it. (visionOS apps and games end up on the App Store as well.)

 

Again, the experience of a specialized development team will be advantageous when you submit your product for review, especially if it needs optimization according to Google Play’s and Apple App Store’s guidelines.

 

HoloLens apps are published on the Microsoft Store, which also has its guidelines and requires a review and testing.

 

For a web-based AR application, you will have to select and purchase a domain name. The software engineers should configure a cloud-based or on-premises server, upload the application, and install an SSL certificate for security purposes.

 

Now, we’ll try to answer another crucial question: how much does it cost to build an AR app?

 

How Much Does AR App Development Cost?

As with any other app, one may calculate the approximate budget by multiplying the involved specialists’ rate by the time required to complete the product. Let’s take a look at the main factors determining the augmented reality app development cost.

 

Type of AR

 

• Developers need about 40-160 hours to implement marker-based AR technology. Markerless tracking requires more complex software development. 

 

• Building a product based on a service using geo AR takes 550-650 hours. The integration of sensors makes AR experiences costlier to develop.

 

• For a complex product with a social component, the development timeline may stretch to 1,000 hours.

 

AR content creation can also consume a significant part of your budget, especially if you want to create real-life environments.

 

Here are some stats from Onix’s projects:

 

• Onix AR and our HoloLens PDF editor both took 540 hours to make.
• The Tarot Tap AR game development took 1,000 man/hours.
• The team spent over 40,000 hours working on the Wormhole Blue app.

Onix’s concept for Apple Vision Pro visualizing statistics for a NASCAR event

 

AR functionalities and content

The more features are required and the more complicated the coding, the longer it takes to make an augmented reality app. Below is a list of possible essential features.

 

 

 

Usually, it takes a more sophisticated application to satisfy both the investor’s and users’ needs in the real world. Below, we have estimated the time needed to implement some extra features:

 

 

If you are developing a game, the additional features may include:

 

 

Tech stack choices

The choice of the OS to support and the SDK to use may impact your augmented reality app cost in several ways. First, the creation of two native apps will take nearly twice as long as the development of one native app or cross-platform development.

 

If you have to choose between the free and paid version of a third-party framework or SDK, we recommend choosing a paid, licensed version for adding better features.

 

Finally, the right set of tools simplifies and speeds up the development process and helps adapt the product to various operating platforms, thus saving time/effort and reducing the cost of future fixes and product improvements.

 

AR app development rates

Large digital agencies in the US, UK, EU, or Japan surely know how to develop augmented reality apps but may charge unreasonable fees ‘for the brand,’ and some won’t consider a budget lower than $100,000. 

 

It doesn’t mean you should search for the cheapest freelancers or agencies in the market. Professionals invest their time and money into mastering the necessary skills and constant improvement, so their rates are likely at least in the middle of the range.

 

The development team’s location often affects the final cost the most. Specialists across the globe have dramatically different hourly rates.

Source: Accelerance

 

As a result, an app that requires 600 hours to build may cost $18,900 in Ukraine (if we calculate with Onix’s average rate of $35/hour), which is 2-4 times less than what you'd spend in the US. 

 

To recap

Businesses in various fields have quickly realized the benefits augmented reality and its cousin, virtual reality, can offer. AR technology is being actively adopted primarily in marketing, gaming, entertainment, retail, education, medical training, design, modeling, construction, and tourism, but it is worth exploring by virtually any industry or branch of business. 

 

Learn more: Top 10 Applications of AR and VR in Business 

 

An effective high-quality software product can become your competitive advantage, but you need the right team to help you achieve your vision. With extensive experience in AR app development for various businesses and with innovative and creative team members, Onix is fully capable of that!

We also know how to build an augmented reality app on time and on budget. So, whether you need assistance with your revolutionary AR game development, want to enrich your existing mobile app with AR features, or have any other AR-related needs, please feel free to contact Onix.

 

FAQ

 

What are the benefits of creating an augmented reality app for business?

 

Some of the benefits resulting from AR software development include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

• Enhanced user experience increases engagement with a product or service;

 

• “Try before you buy” features that enable shoppers to visualize a piece of furniture in their room or virtually try on clothing, jewelry, makeup, glasses, etc., boost sales;

 

• AR technology facilitates comprehensive analytics for a better understanding of consumer behaviors.

 

• AR technology enables designing and visualizing projects, which significantly improves business efficiency and helps avoid rework and overpaying.

 

What are the most popular AR development tools?

 

Besides the Google ARCore and Apple ARKit for native mobile AR app development, the top SDKs for the cross-platform approach are:

 

• ARToolKit
• DeepAR
• EasyAR
• Kudan
• MaxST
• Visage SDK
• Vuforia
• Wikitude
• Xzimg 

 

How to choose the right AR app development company?

When choosing augmented reality app developers, consider factors such as portfolio, relevant expertise, experience, previous clients’ feedback, and even a convenient location and time zone.

 

Arrange a video conference, listen to their ideas for developing your app, and otherwise evaluate their competence and eagerness to collaborate. The price tag should come second. 

 

What type of AR app development services does Onix provide?

 

Onix’s services include the creation of:

 

• games
• virtual try-on apps
• promotional/marketing campaigns
• interactive environments in an educational format
• visualization tools for designers
• virtual interior design
• real estate business representation
• industrial visualization
• maps
• image recognition solutions, and more