AR.js vs three.js
Which should you use? A side-by-side look at what each one does, who it suits, what it costs, how hard it is to set up, and where each falls short.
Open source · MIT
A JavaScript library for marker-based and location-based augmented reality in web pages.
Open source · MIT
A JavaScript library for drawing and animating 3D scenes in web browsers.
The short answer
Choose AR.js if you need…
- Developers who want to add simple AR experiences to a website
- Teams already using A-Frame or Three.js who want AR in the browser
- People building marker-based AR demos that run without a native app
- Developers who need location-based AR features in a web page
Choose three.js if you need…
- Web developers adding interactive 3D graphics to a website
- Developers building browser-based visualizations or simple 3D animations
- People who already know JavaScript and want to start with 3D on the web
Side-by-side
| AR.js | three.js | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Library | Library |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 15.8k | 117k |
| Setup difficulty | Intermediate | Intermediate |
| How you get it | See the README | Install with a package manager |
| Main language | HTML | JavaScript |
| Last code update | 4 years ago | 4 days ago |
What each one is
AR.js
AR.js is a free, open-source JavaScript library for adding augmented reality to web pages, so that virtual objects appear over a phone or laptop camera view. The README describes it as supporting marker-based and location-based AR. It is typically used together with web 3D tools such as A-Frame and Three.js, which are listed as topics of the project. The README also says the project has moved to a new GitHub organization, and this copy will no longer be updated.
three.js
Three.js is a JavaScript library that lets developers create 3D scenes, cameras, and objects and display them in a web page. The README describes its aim as an easy-to-use, lightweight, cross-browser, general-purpose 3D library. It currently includes WebGL and WebGPU renderers, with SVG and CSS3D renderers available as addons.
Best for
AR.js
- Developers who want to add simple AR experiences to a website
- Teams already using A-Frame or Three.js who want AR in the browser
- People building marker-based AR demos that run without a native app
- Developers who need location-based AR features in a web page
three.js
- Web developers adding interactive 3D graphics to a website
- Developers building browser-based visualizations or simple 3D animations
- People who already know JavaScript and want to start with 3D on the web
Strengths
AR.js
- Open source under the MIT license
- Designed for browsers, so users do not need to install a native app, per the description
- Supports both marker-based and location-based AR, according to the README
three.js
- The README presents it as a general-purpose, cross-browser 3D library
- Includes a documented usage example that creates a scene, camera, mesh, and renderer
- Has extensive official resources listed, including examples, docs, and a manual
Not ideal for
AR.js
- Anyone who needs the actively maintained version, because the README says this repository will not be updated and points to a new repository
- Projects needing image tracking from this repo, since the README says that feature is on the new repository
- Non-developers looking for a ready-made app, since this is a code library
three.js
- People who only need 2D graphics, since the library is focused on 3D scenes
- Anyone looking for a finished app rather than a code library to build with
- Beginners with no JavaScript experience, as the README code assumes familiarity with modules and the browser
Trade-offs
AR.js
- The README says this repository is no longer updated and development has moved elsewhere
- The last push in the provided metadata is from December 2022, so the code may be out of date
- Setup details and examples are not included in the truncated README, so the exact steps are unclear
three.js
- The full git history is about 2 GB, so a shallow clone is recommended for most users
- The README does not describe install steps beyond the import example, so setup details must come from the docs
- Working in 3D requires understanding concepts like cameras, geometry, and materials
Getting started
AR.js
Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/jeromeetienne/AR.jsthree.js
Shallow clone of the repository
git clone --depth=1 https://github.com/mrdoob/three.js.gitFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between AR.js and three.js?
AR.js: A JavaScript library for marker-based and location-based augmented reality in web pages. three.js: A JavaScript library for drawing and animating 3D scenes in web browsers. AR.js suits developers who want to add simple ar experiences to a website, while three.js suits web developers adding interactive 3d graphics to a website.
Are AR.js and three.js free?
AR.js: Free and open source. three.js: Free and open source.
Is AR.js or three.js more popular?
three.js has more GitHub stars (117k) than AR.js (15.8k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to AR.js and three.js?
Other options people compare them with include A-Frame, PlayCanvas, PixiJS, G2, Chart.js.
Keep comparing
Built from our catalogue entries for both products: open-source details come from each project's README (AI-assisted, refreshed weekly) and GitHub data; AI-tool details are editorial. Spotted something wrong? Let us know from either product's page.