Lens Studio vs 8th Wall

Lens Studio9.0Visit 8W8th Wall6.9Visit

Higher score Lens Studio #1 in Augmented Reality Software 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Lens Studio

vs

8W 8th Wall #6 in Augmented Reality Software 6.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit 8th Wall

• Lens Studio fits best

  Creators publishing AR effects to Snapchat

• 8th Wall fits best

  Developers making self-hosted web AR projects

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Side by side

Feature	Lens Studio 9.0/10 Visit ↗	8W8th Wall 6.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.0	6.9
Ranking	#1 in Augmented Reality Software	#6 in Augmented Reality Software
Best for	Creators publishing AR effects to Snapchat	Developers making self-hosted web AR projects
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Not published	Not published
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop, Self-hosted
Platforms	Windows, macOS	Web, Windows, macOS
Support	Community, Docs	Community, Docs
Integrations	3 integrations	4 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Lens Studio 0/4 · 8th Wall 2/4
WebAR publishing	Not published	✓ (best)
No-code authoring	Not published	✓ (best)
Team collaboration	Not published	Not published
Experience analytics	Not published	Not published
Specs
Tracking methods	Not published	world, image target, face, sky
Publishing targets	Not published	Web browsers; self-hosted web projects
Our review
Pros	Visual scene editing plus visual scripting and JavaScript or TypeScript Face, body, image, device, surface, and world tracking Publish to Snapchat, Spectacles, and Camera Kit for mobile or web	Visual editor supports 3D and AR project creation. World, image-target, face, and sky effects cover varied AR experiences. Integrates with A-Frame, Three.js, PlayCanvas, and Babylon.js.
Cons	Publishing is centered on Snapchat, Spectacles, and Camera Kit Creation requires a Windows or macOS desktop app Support channels are community and documentation	The hosted platform was retired on February 28, 2026. Some engine functionality is a binary under a limited-use license. Projects need self-hosting rather than the retired hosted platform.
Our verdict	Lens Studio is Snap’s free desktop platform for creating interactive Lenses and augmented-reality experiences. It suits creators publishing effects to Snapchat, as well as developers and teams building social, mobile, web, or wearable AR… Read the review →	For developers creating browser-based augmented reality and interactive 3D experiences, 8th Wall combines a desktop visual editor with an AR engine. It supports world and image-target tracking, face effects, and sky effects, and projects… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Lens Studio — where it wins

  • Visual scene editing plus visual scripting and JavaScript or TypeScript
  • Face, body, image, device, surface, and world tracking
  • Publish to Snapchat, Spectacles, and Camera Kit for mobile or web

  Where it doesn't

  • Publishing is centered on Snapchat, Spectacles, and Camera Kit
  • Creation requires a Windows or macOS desktop app
  • Support channels are community and documentation

• 8th Wall — where it wins

  • Visual editor supports 3D and AR project creation.
  • World, image-target, face, and sky effects cover varied AR experiences.
  • Integrates with A-Frame, Three.js, PlayCanvas, and Babylon.js.

  Where it doesn't

  • The hosted platform was retired on February 28, 2026.
  • Some engine functionality is a binary under a limited-use license.
  • Projects need self-hosting rather than the retired hosted platform.

• Lens Studio9.0/10 · Free plan

  A visual AR editor with tracking, scripting, AI tools, and publishing across Snap destinations.

  Visit Lens StudioFull verdict →
• 8W8th Wall6.9/10 · Free plan

  An open-source, self-hosted web AR toolset with visual authoring and multiple tracking modes.

  Visit 8th WallFull verdict →