The 15 best AR apps of 2018
Fifteen augmented reality apps that showed what ARKit and ARCore could do in 2018, from Pokémon GO and IKEA Place to CSR Racing 2.
First published on Medium in April 2018. The original text is kept as written, with spelling fixed. Images credited to other sites are linked rather than copied.
2026What happened next
This list is a snapshot of April 2018, the first year ARKit and ARCore put AR in everyone's pocket. Some of these apps no longer exist. Google Goggles, for one, was retired and its ideas carried on in Google Lens. The pattern held, though: the AR that lasted was the useful kind (translation, measuring, seeing furniture in your room, finding things around you), and Pokémon GO is still the game everyone points to.
The original post · April 2018
Augmented reality has allowed many developers to create innovative apps and amazing features that surprise and delight users. The technology itself has been around for many years but recently with support from Apple's ARKit and Google's ARCore things that were just futuristic dreams have started to come alive in apps we can all download for free. As the technology is improving, newer and more advanced apps have surfaced on the market, so we have made a list of the best 15 AR apps available for Android and iOS users today.
1. Pokémon GO
Pokémon GO became popular world-wide as soon as it was published by Niantic in 2016. It is one of the first AR apps to introduce and feature groundbreaking AR technology. The game itself came after various successful Pokémon games, but it is also a world-wide popular anime that many generations grew up watching. Pokémon GO is available for both Android and iOS devices for free, and it uses GPS to sync your location and move your in-game avatar. More importantly, the game became so popular that it led to world-wide events where players of Pokémon GO marched together and exchanged their experience, wearing unique outfits. The largest gathering of this kind occurred in San Francisco where an estimated 10,000 users walked and played together.
AR is implemented in the game by placing Virtual 3D Pokémon around the player's surroundings and as different Pokémon species are caught the player scores points. The game is also encouraging players to get outside and search for 3D monsters to virtually catch. Niantic is constantly working on improving the in-game performance and soon, players can expect features like trading to be added to the game, much like the original games. Many people embraced the game because they always imagined themselves as real trainers. Pokémon GO, together with AR, allowed players to become exactly that, attracting millions of players craving to catch their own Pokémon. With this in mind, the game isn't going to get boring anytime soon and with it being played by over 65 million people per month we have ranked this app #1.
2. Google Goggles
Google Goggles is one of the most exciting apps for those looking to learn more about their surroundings. However, it's only available for Android supported devices. If you want to download it you can only find it in Google Play Store.
Although the app can be slightly buggy, it offers a great variety of features that make everyday life fun. Google Goggles tries to identify everything that you point your phone at. Additionally, you can use photos that you've saved on your phone's gallery instead of being limited to the camera only. If you point your camera at an object it will identify it through Google Images and even send you several locations where you can buy the product.
The app is also designed to identify quotes from different novels and even solve Sudoku puzzles. If you're looking for something that can answer all your questions from your surroundings, Google Goggles is one of the best AR apps you can get. Overall, the searching process is fast and intuitive and with the rapid advancement in technology, it's becoming clear that the classic Google search is going to become a thing of the past. Why Google it when you can just raise your phone or glance at it wearing AR glasses. With the future prospects of such a technology and the backing of all of Google's searchable data we ranked this app #2.
3. Yelp: Discover Local Favorites
Yelp is a free app available on iTunes for iOS. Finding a perfect restaurant or a café nearby can be challenging and time consuming. With Yelp you find local places with the best food, drinks and atmosphere that would suit you. Initially a feature that at first was an Easter egg, called 'Monocle' mode, these AR capabilities have slowly been added to the app. The feature allows you to use your iPhone camera to overlay business listings and star ratings.
The app also allows you to read the reviews from other users with the function to leave your own. With the addition of AR technology you can get a more realistic picture of where the restaurant is relative to where you are right now.
4. Google Translate
Google Translate is a great app even without an AR feature. It is available on devices running Android or iOS. Some of you may have used Word Lens in previous years but Google acquired it back in 2014. It uses your rear facing camera to translate text effortlessly. By taking a picture of the text that is foreign to you the app will then translate the text into your chosen language as accurately as possible. With Wi-Fi enabled the application will be capable of working with a wider variety of languages. Moreover, it supports downloading many language packs, in case you want to work with instant translation in offline mode.
5. CSR Racing 2
CSR Racing 2 is available for both Android and iOS devices. Developed by NaturalMotion the app is one of the most popular games available to Android and iOS and definitely the most popular racing game. Its AR mode just adds more to the fun and takes owning the in-game cars to the next level.
The AR mode allows you to choose a car that will then be augmented into the real world. Using your camera you can walk around and inside supercars you could only dream of owning. You can capture realistic photos and videos of the car to share later. Using the phone's camera and 'surface finding' image processing, the app creates a realistic display of your car in your current surroundings. It's an amazing game and a must for all car lovers.
6. IKEA Place
IKEA Place is available only for iOS devices and is available on iTunes. It is one of the most desirable lifestyle apps and has had fantastic reviews.
IKEA is known for its flat packed furniture however, if you are looking for an interior renovation, this app will come in handy as you will be able to place a great variety of their furniture in your living room, bedroom, or kitchen. It's worth mentioning that all the products are augmented in their real scale. This provides you with all the information you need to make a well thought out decision when purchasing new furniture for your home. What's better than seeing what it would look like in your actual home before buying? The app uses 'surface finding' to help you find accurate locations for your piece of furniture based on its real shape and size.
7. AR MeasureKit
Available on iTunes for your iOS device, and developed by Rinat Khanov, AR MeasureKit allows you to measure objects in real life with your augmented ruler provided through the app.
You can measure various objects with the ruler using the iPhone's or iPad's camera. However, a one-time in-app purchase of $5 will unlock different measuring tools such as the ability to measure a magnetic field force with Magnetometer or use the trajectory tool to measure curves drawn by moving your device around. You can export a 3D model of your face with Face Mesh (if you use iPhone X) and measure the height of a person.
The app also contains an advanced internal algorithm which allows the app to offer a better measuring experience, by running smoothly and accurately. This makes AR MeasureKit stand out from similar AR ruler apps as many are limited to measuring objects on a desk or floor.
8. Stack AR
An app developed by Ketchapp for Android devices and iTunes, Stack AR (also available non-AR) allows you to stack different coloured blocks in the real world. The game is simple, you stack different coloured blocks on top of each other however, if you are not exact part of the block gets chopped off. It was the first ARKit game to top Apple's App Store free to play category.
We recommend the AR version as it brings a new dimension to the real world and it is equipped with a variety of features. You can compete with your friends for the highest score in the world and the most recent update comes with 3 new Chinese themed settings in order to celebrate the year of the dog, plus you can play on any vertical surface you can find.
9. Sky Map
Sky Map is a wonderful app designed for all of you that are interested in astronomy. It is the donated and open-sourced Google Sky Map original, available on Google Play for all Android devices.
Users who are fond of astronomy and don't own a telescope can enjoy the app's great variety of features. The map is well-capable of identifying different sets of stars, planets, constellations and much more. While it doesn't require a stable internet connection at all times, it's worth pointing out that the app uses GPS in order for the user to enter latitude and altitude. The app works accurately and is extremely fun to use.
10. Quiver: 3D Coloring App
Quiver will appeal to all ages. The app is available for both Android and iOS devices and allows you to combine traditional-style coloring with the newest AR technologies.
The app is formerly known as ColAR Mix. The app can be used to turn children's 2D colouring books 3D with powerful animations. In order to work properly, the app requires printed colour pages. Users are also encouraged to get free-coloring packs from Quiver's website. Once they start the colouring process, users can observe the animations given from any angle. Although initially intended for younger users we believe it will be fun and interesting for older users too.
11. INKHUNTER Try Tattoo Designs
Have you ever wondered what a tattoo would look like on you and whether it would suit you? Are you scared of getting a real one? INKHUNTER Try Tattoo Designs is an innovative AR app developed by Kateryna Khotkevych for both Android and iOS devices.
The app uses your phone's camera and AR technology to test preloaded tattoo designs and see whether the tattoo design suits you. The app also comes with a function to try out your own designs which would also encourage many designers to try their own designed tattoos that they were too scared to present to public. This means you can test how a design stacks up on your skin before deciding to put it on there permanently. You can also check the tattoo from different angles and use an intuitive photo editor to make your tattoo shinier.
12. ARise
If you are looking for an AR-supported game that will make you think, ARise is a game that will appeal to all audiences. The app is available on iOS.
Aside from casting spells and summoning Golems, ARise will allow you to solve different puzzles, ranging from easy to difficult using 3D clues that will help you figure out the solution to the problem. Users are encouraged to move across the 3D world in order to solve more, as the clues can be given through different locations. The app, unfortunately, doesn't come free and those who want to test its charms will have to pay $2.99 to play it.
13. Holo
Holo is a free app developed by 8i for Android and iOS. Holo is a type of "social content" app that allows you to combine personalities from the fictional and real world and then drag and drop them in as holograms into your surroundings. Once the holograms have been placed into the real world they cannot be interacted with the way you would expect.
Players can use a feature called "Holo-mixing" to combine different characters together. You can use YouTube celebrities and even fictional characters and then use a large selection of animations and sounds to accompany the characters once they are placed in the real world.
14. GIPHY World: AR GIF Stickers
GIPHY is one of the most popular GIF sites/apps available, and now there is an AR version that allows users to experience many animations in real-time. The app is only available on iTunes for iOS devices.
The app allows you to search for a variety of great GIFs and stickers to fill your room and surroundings with. Additionally, after you have filled your room with different AR animated content, you will be able to share it with your friends.
15. JigSpace
JigSpace is an amazing AR app developed by JigSpace Inc. The app is available for all iOS devices and has quickly gained popularity as it can quickly teach users how to handle different tasks they stumble across. Using your iPhone's or iPad's camera you can use innovative AR technology to learn about how certain things work.
JigSpace will run smoothly whilst showing you how things work with a colour-accurate and sounded animation. For example, you can learn about how certain organs work, how to make an atomic bomb and other great features using interactive 3D technology. With its latest feature enabled, JigSpace allows you to create your own account so that you can be informed when new and amusing Jigs are released.