Augmented reality (AR) apps might sound futuristic, but consumers and marketers are catching onto the trend much more than you might think. In 2025, there will be an estimated 1.07 billion mobile AR users, with this figure expected to increase to 1.19 billion by 2028.
What is augmented reality?
Augmented reality is a technology that virtually places a 3D visual into a "real-world" experience. This gives the user the appearance that the virtual object co-exists with them in the physical world.
AR is often used in gaming, providing a more realistic experience for gamers and engaging multiple senses. But it's also helpful in the shopping experience.
Think about it this way: Shopping online is limited to product photos. Occasionally, there's a video or 360-degree image, but that's not commonplace. Compare that to an AR experience—you can see how a hat looks on your head or how a table fits in your kitchen.
Unlike virtual reality, which builds an entirely artificial digital world, AR technology blends digital elements with your actual surroundings. The AR market is projected to exceed $250 billion in value by 2028, making it increasingly important for businesses to understand its potential.
That's why some brands are incorporating the technology into their strategies. Let's take a look at 11 of the best augmented reality apps out there.
11 best augmented reality apps in 2025
1. Shopify AR
Shopify AR is an augmented reality app that online store owners can use to provide an immersive shopping experience. With this app, you can use videos and 3D assets of your items to help your customers have a better understanding of their function and size—giving them more confidence to make a buying decision.
Shopify AR's tech allows Android and iOS users to turn any setting into their own showroom. People can try on interactive versions of your product to see if it fits their style or need. Help customers get a better sense of your products' detail, size, and scale—and you should witness an increase in your average order value.
The platform connects seamlessly with your existing store infrastructure and allows you to incorporate 3D content directly into product listings. Major retailers like Allbirds, Pure Cycles, and Instant Pot have successfully implemented this technology to boost customer engagement.
Download Shopify AR from Shopify's website
2. Google Lens
With great AR features, Google Lens enhances the search experience for consumers.
Instead of typing in a text-based query, open the app and aim 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.
Oh, and it'll tell you where to buy the object (if it's a product for sale online). This is just one reason why it's important to consider a visual search strategy as part of your SEO approach. Plus, consumers can use it to translate text on a product page from over 100 languages—without having to download Google Translate.
This tool excels at connecting real-world discoveries with purchasing opportunities. When shoppers spot something interesting outdoors or in a friend's home, they can snap a photo and instantly find where to purchase similar items.
Pro tip: You can also use Google Lens from within the Google Photos apps (a hack for iOS users!) and from Google Assistant.
Download Google Lens from its website
3. ThreeKit
ThreeKit specializes in creating detailed 3D product representations for online retailers. This platform enables customers to examine items from every possible perspective and experiment with different variations like colors, materials, and sizes.
The service goes beyond simple visualization by allowing shoppers to place virtual items within their personal spaces. Customers can upload photos of their rooms and see how products would appear in their actual environment, creating a more informed purchasing decision.
This technology proves particularly valuable for businesses selling customizable products, as customers can see exactly how their personalized choices will look before completing their order.
Download ThreeKit from its website.
4. Vuforia
Vuforia Engine serves as a development platform for businesses wanting to build custom AR experiences. This software enables brands to create interactive 3D product displays and customization tools for their websites.
While powerful, this platform targets enterprise-level companies with technical resources. Smaller businesses might find the learning curve steep without prior experience in AR development.
The platform allows for sophisticated product interactions, including real-time customization features where customers can modify colors, materials, and configurations while viewing the changes instantly.
Download Vuforia from its website.
5. GIPHY World
If the real world were like GIPHY World, it would be a lot more colorful and imaginative. This app combines animated GIFs and AR effects, turning photos and videos into canvases for 3D graphics (a lot like Snapchat does).
If you're looking to add more personality to your social media content, give GIPHY World a try. Add graphics and animated elements to product photos to give them an extra flair for a social audience.
With access to over 10 billion animated graphics, this platform opens up creative possibilities for product promotion. Businesses can develop their own branded animations and make them available through the app, reaching GIPHY's massive user base.
Download Giphy World from its website.
6. ARuler
ARuler transforms smartphones into precise measuring tools using augmented reality technology. This app helps customers determine if products will fit in their intended spaces by measuring distances between two points.
For furniture retailers, this tool addresses a common customer concern about whether large items will fit properly in their homes. Shoppers can measure their available space using metric or imperial units, then compare those measurements to product dimensions.
This functionality reduces purchase hesitation and helps prevent returns due to size issues, making it valuable for any business selling products where dimensions matter.
Download ARuler from the Google Play website or the Apple Store.
7. Augment
Coming back to the home goods world, another solid app for delivering augmented reality experiences is Augment.
Augment is aimed at ecommerce store owners, who can use the app to create augmented images of their products.
These assets are then primed for your own AR experience, whether that's in your mobile app, on your website, at in-person activations, or via some other channel. It's particularly handy for driving "field sales"—in other words, pop-up shops, farmers markets, event sales, and other temporary physical retail ventures.
The platform's Web 3D feature enables customers to explore products from multiple angles without leaving your online store. Their 3D Factory tool can transform just a few static images into interactive models, and you can process multiple products simultaneously through bulk uploads.
Download Augment from the iOS or Android app store
8. IKEA Place
IKEA Place is another AR app for iPhone and Android focused on home décor. The Swedish furniture retailer gives shoppers a chance to put its products in their homes—no assembly required.
This app looks at the bigger picture, taking into account your home's entire floor plan to see which items will fit best where. Easy drag-and-drop functionality and the option to see different colors replicate the fun of the actual IKEA experience (but without the meatballs).
IKEA pioneered retail AR technology when it launched this app in 2017. The application automatically adjusts product sizes based on room measurements and maintains an impressive 98% accuracy rate for spatial calculations.
Download IKEA Place from the iOS app store
9. Houzz
A great platform for home goods and furniture sellers, Houzz is one of the top AR apps for planning interior layouts and design. Primarily a home improvement app, Houzz has ecommerce functionality, allowing users to browse and buy products in-app.
The "View in My Room" feature creates AR experiences by placing products into a photo of the user's home—using 3D technology so the resulting image is lifelike. It even goes as far as showing what the product will look like in different lighting. Consumers can literally shop for a new couch from their couch.
The app works across iPhone, iPad, and Android devices, utilizing Apple's ARKit framework for enhanced performance. Customers can rotate, zoom, and reposition furniture pieces within their space, then complete purchases directly through the app.
Download Houzz from the iOS or Android app stores
10. Zapworks
Zapworks offers user-friendly tools for creating AR experiences without extensive coding knowledge. This platform focuses on accessibility, making AR development possible for businesses without technical teams.
The parent company, Zappar, provides additional support services for businesses needing expert assistance with their AR projects. This combination of self-service tools and professional services makes AR implementation more achievable for various business sizes.
The platform's low-code approach enables quick creation of interactive product demonstrations and marketing campaigns that engage customers in memorable ways.
Download Zapworks from its website.
11. YouCam Makeup
Next on the list of augmented reality apps (Android and iOS for this one, too) is YouCam Makeup. Here, we move away from interior design and toward the artistry of cosmetics.
Buying makeup is often a leap of faith—you might get to try on samples at the makeup counter, but fluorescent lighting plays tricks on the eyes and doesn't account for typical selfie lighting conditions. But YouCam does, allowing shoppers to test makeup from tons of major brands with AR technology.
With over 100 million downloads on Google Play alone, this beauty app leads the cosmetics AR space. It uses advanced face mapping to let users experiment with different makeup looks, hair colors, and facial modifications. Major brands like L'Oréal, Target, and Estée Lauder partner with the platform to showcase their products to millions of users.
Download YouCam Makeup from the iOS or Android app stores
How businesses use AR technology effectively
AR applications serve multiple purposes in modern commerce beyond simple product visualization. Businesses use these tools to create immersive marketing campaigns that capture attention more effectively than traditional advertising.
Interactive product demonstrations help customers understand complex features and benefits without needing in-person assistance. This proves particularly valuable for technical products where customers benefit from step-by-step guidance.
Many companies integrate AR into their customer service strategy, providing visual troubleshooting guides and setup instructions that reduce support inquiries while improving customer satisfaction.
Key benefits of AR for online retailers
Implementing AR technology can significantly impact your bottom line through increased sales and reduced operational costs. When customers can visualize products in their own environment, they feel more confident about their purchases, leading to higher conversion rates.
Return rates often decrease when customers have a clear understanding of what they're buying. Since 42% of online purchases get returned due to products looking different than expected, AR helps bridge this gap between expectation and reality.
Customer satisfaction improves when shopping becomes more interactive and engaging. Nine out of ten Gen Z consumers express interest in AR shopping experiences, particularly for furniture and home decoration items viewed through their mobile devices.
Mesmerize your customers with AR technology
This list is just 11 of the top augmented reality apps available. There are tons more—from third-party apps that ecommerce brands can use to boast their wares to branded experiences that add another customer touchpoint. Try different apps and use the one that suits you to give consumers a new multidimensional way to research and interact with your products.
The future of retail increasingly depends on bridging the gap between digital and physical shopping experiences. AR technology offers a practical solution that benefits both businesses and customers, creating more informed purchasing decisions and stronger brand connections.
Augmented Reality Apps FAQ
What is augmented reality in shopping?
Augmented reality (AR) in shopping uses 3D visuals and interactive technology to let customers preview products in their own environment before buying. From trying on makeup to placing furniture in a room, AR enhances confidence and reduces returns.
How do augmented reality apps help ecommerce businesses?
AR apps boost ecommerce by improving product visualization, increasing customer engagement, and reducing hesitation before purchase. They also lower return rates by helping shoppers make more informed decisions.
What are the best AR apps for online shopping?
Popular AR shopping apps include Shopify AR, IKEA Place, Houzz, Google Lens, YouCam Makeup, and ThreeKit. These platforms allow businesses to showcase products with 3D models, interactive previews, and real-time personalization.
What industries benefit most from AR shopping apps?
Retail sectors like fashion, beauty, home décor, furniture, and electronics gain the most from AR technology. Customers can virtually try on clothes, test makeup, or check how furniture fits into their space.
Is AR technology the future of ecommerce?
Yes. With over 1 billion mobile AR users expected by 2028, augmented reality is set to play a central role in ecommerce. It creates immersive shopping experiences, builds trust, and helps brands stand out in competitive markets.