Insights

VR, AR and mixed reality: the differences explained

5 minutes read

The terms virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality often turn up in the same breath, even though they do different things. A quick overview — and where a virtual tour fits in that line-up.

Virtual reality (VR)

With VR you swap the real environment entirely for a digital one, usually through a headset that takes over your sight and sound. You stand in another space, look around and move through it. A 360° tour is a light version of this: you don't need a headset, but you do explore a place as if you were walking through it, from your phone or laptop.

Augmented reality (AR)

AR leaves the real world in place and lays digital elements over it. Think of your phone camera projecting a sofa into your living room, or an app showing information about a monument you're standing in front of. The environment is real; the addition is digital.

Mixed reality (MR)

MR combines both: digital objects that behave as if they're really in your space, and that you can interact with. You can walk around them, move them. It needs special hardware and is mainly used for design and training.

Where a virtual tour fits

A virtual tour sits at the accessible end of this spectrum: no headset, no app, just a link in the browser. It gives much of the feeling of VR — looking around yourself, setting your own pace — without the barrier. For most businesses that's exactly the right balance between making an impression and being easy to use.