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A-Frame

A web framework for building browser-based 3D, AR and VR experiences using HTML.

GitHub Download v1.8.0
Stars
17.7k
Forks
4.4k
Licence
MIT
Language
JavaScript
Last update
4 months ago
Type
Library

What it is

A-Frame is a web framework that lets you build 3D, AR and VR scenes in a browser by writing HTML tags such as a-box and a-sphere. It sits on top of three.js and WebXR, so the same page can run on desktop, phones and VR headsets that support WebXR. People use it to make interactive 3D experiences without writing low-level graphics code.

  • Build a simple VR scene with boxes, spheres and a sky using a few lines of HTML
  • Add particle effects, animation or ocean-style surfaces by plugging in community components
  • Create an interactive 3D experience that runs on phones and desktops, with optional headset support
  • Inspect a running scene with the built-in visual inspector opened via ctrl + alt + i

Great for

  • Web developers who want to add 3D or VR scenes to a website
  • Educators and artists experimenting with immersive content in the browser
  • Beginners comfortable with basic HTML who want a gentle entry into 3D
  • Developers who want to extend scenes with JavaScript components and community add-ons

Not ideal for

  • Teams needing a full game engine with a visual editor, since the README focuses on code and HTML rather than editor tooling
  • Projects that must run on native apps or consoles, since it targets browsers with WebXR support
  • Anyone needing heavy, high-fidelity 3D performance at the level of dedicated native engines, as it is a thin layer over three.js
Step-by-step guide: how to use A-FrameInstall, first run, examples, tips and FAQs
A-Frame alternativesA-Frame vs three.jsA-Frame vs react-three-fiberA-Frame vs PlayCanvasA-Frame vs AR.jsA-Frame vs Jolt Physics

How to get it

  1. 1

    Install with a package manager

    You'll need: Node.js (required for the npm install and local development steps; exact version not stated in README)

    Install from npm

    npm install --save aframe

    Clone the repository for local development

    git clone https://github.com/aframevr/aframe.git

    Install dependencies and start the dev server

    cd aframe && npm install

    Start the local development server

    npm start
  2. 2

    Run it

    • Create an HTML file and include aframe.min.js from the CDN link in the README
    • Add an a-scene element to the body of the page
    • Place shapes such as a-box or a-sphere inside the scene with position and color attributes
    • Open the file in a WebXR-capable browser to view the scene
  3. 3

    Get the most out of it

    • Use the built-in inspector with ctrl + alt + i to tweak objects visually
    • Add community components such as particle-system, ocean or physics to extend scenes from HTML
    • Run npm run start:https and follow the README steps to test scenes in a headset over your local network
    • Use npm run dist to generate your own builds

Downloads

Source code (.zip)master branch · straight from GitHubRelease v1.8.0Release notes and sourceOfficial website & docsaframe.io/

Strengths

  • Simple declarative HTML syntax lowers the barrier to building 3D scenes
  • Built on three.js and WebXR, with access to raw JavaScript and WebGL when needed
  • Works on desktop and smartphones even without a headset

Trade-offs

  • Depends on browser WebXR support, so headset features vary by device and browser
  • Testing in VR on a headset requires running a local HTTPS server and a third-party service described in the README
  • Community components are separate projects whose quality and maintenance vary

How it compares

ProjectStarsTypeLevelUpdatedBest for
aframe (this)17.7kLibrarybeginner4 months agoWeb developers who want to add 3D or VR scenes to a website
three.js117kLibraryintermediate4 days agoWeb developers adding interactive 3D graphics to a website
react-three-fiber33.4kLibraryintermediate16 days agoReact developers who want to add 3D scenes to a web app
JoltPhysics12.1kLibraryadvanced4 days agoC++ game developers who need a physics engine for rigid bodies and collisions
engine17.2kLibraryintermediate4 days agoWeb developers who want to add 3D scenes or games to a website
drei10.1kLibraryintermediate16 days agoReact developers who are building 3D scenes for the web with react-three-fiber

Stats synced from GitHub. The assessment above was drafted with AI from the project's README on 2026-10-29 and may miss recent changes — check the README before relying on a command. MIT licence: free to use, modify and distribute, including commercially, as long as you keep the copyright notice.