The best VR apps are the ones that offer a plethora of exciting experiences and act as an outlet for your creativity. The expansion of the virtual reality field has allowed users to experience the virtual world without the use of VR headsets.
The significant increase in virtual spaces provided by VR apps allows you to witness several experiences and games. This includes creating content in virtual environments as well which is extremely helpful for digital artists to explore new domains of art.
In this post, we will help you find the best virtual reality apps for free that offer games, news, and much more for your iPhone and Android devices.
Winner
Titans of Space
This educational VR game platform of Oculus Quest is an inspirational way to allow students to learn about the solar system. The application also comes with hand tracking, so you can control it very easily.
Runner Up
Google Earth VR
This VR app is so much better than playing games in the virtual world because it allows you to travel your planet from the comfort of your home. You can visit different places and landmarks with this app.
Also Great
Within VR
Get the best cinematic experience with Within VR APK that gives you a 360-degree view of your favorite videos from all types of genres.
This is an overview of our favorite virtual reality apps. Now, let’s review each of our top picks including other VR apps that we think would be perfect for you!
Best Virtual Reality Apps - Top 10 Picks
#1: Best Educational VR App - Titans of Space Review
Titans of Space is an educational VR platform that allows young and adult students to experience outer space through augmented reality. It can give a very exciting tour of the solar system taking students to visit the stars and planets.
Students enjoy a comfortable tour of the solar system and beyond while learning facts along the way at their own pace.
A tour guide that is known as the “Flying Professor Alien” gives you educational facts about 40+ celestial bodies in 110 minutes of content as you witness authentic visuals.
This educational VR app ensures learning by asking comparison questions about planets or real distance view questions about how far a planet is from another one. It maintains comfort through an engaging soundtrack and ensures life-like experiences through zero-gravity EVA.
A paid version of this VR platform is also available as Titans of Space PLUS (Oculus Quest) for a very affordable price.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Use Titans of Space
VR Headsets: This app works with
- Oculus
- Cardboard
- Steam
Features: It consists of native support for:
- Windows Mixed Reality
- HTC Vive
- Oculus Rift
- Valve Index.
It’s your choice whether to use Steam VR or Oculus SDK for Rift.
Effects: Features enhanced 3D effects that scale smaller measurements to help easily compare distances. Moreover, it allows you to see your hands so you can feel the experience. It also has sitting and standing support to cater to your every need.
Requirements: The Titans of Space App requires a 64-bit operating system of Windows 7 or newer OS and an Intel i5-4590 equivalent or greater processor. A 4GB RAM and 2100 MB storage space are required for the app to run smoothly.
User Interface: It has an extremely intuitive UI with smooth and user-friendly running.
Moreover, the UI is translated into:
- English
- Portuguese
- German
- French
- Spanish
- Enhanced 3D visuals.
- Smooth and intuitive UI.
- Tour guide and factual information provided to ensure learning.
- Comfortable.
- Multiple VR support.
- The full audio and subtitles are only available in English.
- Vive Cosmos and Windows Mixed Reality users cannot use the “see hands” feature.
Best Exploration Game for Educational Fun
The best VR game app for learning is Titans of Space because it offers a real-life tour of outer space from the comfort of your own living room which makes learning more exciting.
#2: Best Geolocation Service App - Google Earth VR Review
With the expansion of VR technology, we expected some fascinating work from Google in the VR world and we were not disappointed. Google Earth VR is a one-of-a-kind experience where you can travel the globe virtually and witness all types of amazing VR experiences.
This VR app presents so much more than just a VR experience. It provides you with a new perspective as you scour the globe either by walking, running, or flying and visit all the greatest landmarks such as the Grand Canyon or the Pyramids of Egypt.
Google’s Expeditions app is a web browsing app. It was originally designed for educational institutions to help students travel to different destinations to learn. It is available on Steam, Oculus Quest, and Google Play Services.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Use Google Earth VR
VR Headsets: The most impactful experience of Google Earth VR is on Google Cardboard where you can see places in more detail.
Other VR headset support involves:
- Oculus
- Steam
- HTC Vive
Features: There are two plastic controllers in your hands that you can use to control where you are going. You can see these controllers in the VR world.
Effects: You can tour the globe and explore various destinations either by choosing to walk or fly or by simply selecting to browse different locations.
Requirements: This app requires 8 GB RAM and 4 GB disk space. The processor needs to be equivalent to Intel i5-6400 or better. Moreover, the operating system should be Windows 7 SP1 or above.
User Interface: The 3D VR experience of flying around the globe is a dream come true for users. The only issue stands that while you can view all the large destinations, tiny details such as cars and people cannot be seen clearly.
- Educational
- 3D simulation
- Great UI
- Available for free.
- You can travel the world without actually going anywhere
- Can cause motion sickness sometimes
- No human scale
Best Educational Geolocation Virtual Service Provider
The best VR app available on the VR store is Google Earth VR because it not only allows you to travel the world, it allows you to fly all across the globe and see the greatest historic landmarks from your own home.
#3: Best Cinematic VR APK - Within VR Review
Within VR is a thoughtful collection of high-definition videos produced by professional creators. It walks you across all genres of VR platforms including horror, documentaries, fitness, music, and mindfulness.
The best part about Within VR is that it is compatible with all VR headsets and devices so you can enjoy content without worrying about your output preferences. You can browse VR content that you want to experience and select your favorite ones.
A video series by the Within team called “The Possible” helped explore the new realms of technology through your VR headset lens. These episodes approach different technology-oriented topics while allowing you to experience 360-degree VR videos.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Use Within VR
VR Headsets: Available on mobile apps such as the iOS app and Android apps.
Other devices include:
- Oculus VR
- HTC Vive
- Samsung Gear VR
- Daydream
- Steam VR
- PlayStation VR
- WebVR
Features: Their flagship product is called “Supernatural” which is a virtual fitness program. Another product called “Wonderscope” is an iOS app for kids. It features 360-degree music videos and news outlets.
Effects: The experience provided by Within VR is exceptional. For example, Supernatural gives you an expert coach to train you with encouragement in beautiful destinations.
Wonderscope uses Apple’s ARKit and voice recognition to allow children to converse with animated characters and join them on adventures.
Requirements: Within VR requires an Intel i5-4590/AMD FX 8350 or greater processor and a Windows 7 SP1 or newer operating system with 4GB RAM and 125 MB storage.
User Interface: The UI is great and the running is very smooth. However, live-action content is not as smooth as animated content but it is worth the experience.
- Multiple genres to explore
- Supernature fitness program motivates you to train with an expert
- Available for free
- Available on multiple devices
- Easy to use and to set up
- Streams in low resolution
- Ui not smooth for live-action videos
Best Cinematic VR Experience
The best cinematic VR app is Within VR because it features multiple genres for you to experience the best video content in virtual reality with a 360-degree view.
#4: Best Educational VR App - Jaunt VR Review
Jaunt VR provides premium cinematic VR content with its fully-immersive app. It was introduced by a production company that intends to give users a story-driver experience in the virtual world anytime, anyplace.
The experiences involved include:
- Live concerts
- 360-degree shoots with famous personalities
- VR videos
- military celebrations in different places
- VR movies
- horror shoots such as the Black Mass Experience
There are over 150 premium experiences provided by Jaunt’s reimagined fully immersive app that envelops unparalleled experiences.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Use Jaunt VR
VR Headsets: The app works best on iPhone.
It is also compatible with:
- Android
- Oculus
- HTC Vive
- Gear VR
- Microsoft Mixed Reality Headsets
- PlayStation VR
- Google Cardboard
Features: The app is available in an English interface and audio. It has sitting and standing support to give you the full experience with support for any VR headset you own.
Effects: A fully immersive cinematic experience with smooth visuals that transport you to any part of the world with a 360-degree rotation for an exciting experience.
Requirements: This app requires a Windows 7 operating system with an Intel i5-4590 equivalent processor that has 2 GB storage and 8 GB RAM.
User Interface: With a simple broadband connection, you can view your VR videos with comfort and ease.
- Available for free
- Smooth interface
- Multiple experiences
- Fully immersive video content
- Compatible with multiple headsets
- Available only in English
- Dos not offer innovative features like other VR platforms.
Best Premium Cinematic VR App
The best virtual reality cinematic experience can be availed with Jaunt VR as it provides over 150 VR content videos for you to travel someplace you enjoy.
#5: Best Virtual Video Content Platform - YouTube VR Review
You can either tune in to YouTube’s virtual reality channel or view YouTube videos on your normal app by selecting watch in VR. Keep yourself up-to-date with the most recent videos and immersive VR experiences.
There is also an option to download videos to watch them later on your VR headset. Since YouTube is known as the world’s best video content platform, there’s no doubt that it also consists of a plethora of VR content as well.
YouTube’s virtual reality channel is a host to many videos by the NBA, National Geographic, Discovery, and many more. Due to the sea of content, you will have to search through heaps of videos to find your preferences.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Use YouTube VR
VR Headsets: You can play VR content on your smartphones from:
- Mac
- PSVR
- PC
- Cardboard headsets
Features: This app supports non-virtual reality interaction. Moreover, it helps guide creators who want to create something unique on this platform.
Effects: The option to create in 3D, 180-degree, or 360-degree is available.
Requirements: The app runs on any system you would expect the YouTube app to run on. However, like most PC VR apps, YouTube VR also requires 8 gigabytes of memory with a 4 GB storage space.
User Interface: The interface has some problems on PC as some people have complained about it being poorly designed and difficult to navigate because it is “clunky”.
- Vast content
- Runs on all devices
- Great for creators to innovate
- Download videos for later
- Guide for creators to learn how to create on the platform
- Available for free
- Interface is cluttered and difficult to use on PC
- Hefty requirements
Best VR Video Content Platform
The virtual reality video content can be found on YouTube VR that allows you to meet your favorite celebrities and experience a sea on content by international creators.
#6: Best Entertainment Filled VR Platform - Fulldive VR Review
Fulldive is the best VR entertainment platform hosting an array of user-generated content of photos, videos, and now more than 500 games. You can get endless hours of gaming entertainment after installing the app.
This app offers more than just VR games, users can browse YouTube videos, create custom games, videos, and other VR experiences, and share content with friends. Users who sign up to use the content can earn cryptocurrencies such as Ether, Litecoin, Bitcoin, and more.
Moreover, you can browse the Internet in virtual reality viewing, taking, accessing, and storing pictures in VR. You can browse for the VR market, VR apps, and Lauer on the VR store.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Use Fulldive VR
VR Headsets: This app is most suitable for Daydream viewers and Cardboard users.
Features: It allows you to stream YouTube videos and play videos from your device in VR as well.
Moreover, it allows you to browse the internet in VR, take pictures and record videos from your device in VR, and access and store videos and pictures in VR. You can also access VR applications on the VR market.
The app has a “Trending” category that allows you to search content based on themes such as “cute” or “scary”.
Effects: YouTube videos can be played in 3D with a 360-degree view and the VR video player allows you to play videos from your device in 2D or 3D. Moreover, your photo gallery can also be viewed in 3D.
Requirements: It requires an iPhone 5s or higher.
If you are an iPad user then the requirement is iPad Air or iPad mini 2 and higher. Moreover, with Google’s new policy, the app has a requirement to upgrade to 64-bit from 32-bit.
User Interface: The interface is exceptional. It is smooth and easy to navigate.
- Smooth interface
- Multiple features
- Option to view your gallery and other VR apps in virtual reality
- Available for free
- No tough requirements
- No search bar included, therefore, you have to search content by scrolling through pages.
Best All-Entertainment VR App
Fulldive VR is one of the best VR apps out there because it has a plethora of virtual reality content in 3D and full 360-degree rotation. It also comes with in-app purchases.
#7: Best Virtual Reality Journalism - Guardian VR Review
Guardian VR is the daily UK newspaper service delivering an immersive mix of hard-hitting storytelling and journalism. It is one of the many VR apps that provides a wide range of innovative content that signals the newspaper’s political view.
This app gives a different form of VR experience by following the path of how the world looks from a toddler’s eye to tracing the footsteps of asylum seekers to discussing the hardships of society.
The Guardian app may not have a lot of in-depth VR content like other VR apps. However, it provides you with fresh content with regular updates just like a newspaper.
If you are already an avid reader of this newspaper then there is no better way to get closer to the main purpose of this app.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Use Guardian VR
VR Headsets: The app is compatible with Google Cardboard and Daydream headsets.
Features: Its unique feature is VR journalism where you explore real-life stories through the world of virtual reality.
Effects: There are 360 films present to give you an extraordinary experience in the world of virtual reality such as the 360 films by Khaled Hosseini.
Requirements: You can install the app on your mobile device easily.
User Interface: The interface is not as advanced as other gaming VR apps, however, it will not hold back on giving you the best VR experience in the field of journalism.
- Keeps you updated on the news
- Offers regularly updated content
- Unique VR content
- Available for free
- Readily available to be downloaded on your mobile devices
- App might glitch
- Interface not very impressive
- Lack of content in comparison to other VR apps
Best Virtual Reality Journalism App
Guardian VR is one of the best VR apps on journalism because it provides a very unique prospect of getting closer to the news by experiencing journalism through virtual reality.
#8: Best VR Gaming App With Rhythm Antics - Beat Saber Review
This VR game brings rhythm antics to the party where you can groove to the music while you chop flying bricks with two sabers. The game is an absolute joy to play and we are sure that the players of Tetris would also love this game.
Every beat indicates the saber you need to use and the direction you need to go in to cut the blocks. Every cut is supported with a powerful visual effect and sound for a greater impact.
Beat Saber has a ton of soundtracks ranging from Volume 1 to 5 and it consists of music packs with tracks by famous artists such as Billie Eilish, Lady Gaya, Fall Out Boy, and so many more. Moreover, you can become a Beat Saber pro by winning awards for your best games.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Buy Beat Saber
VR Headsets: The app is available on:
- Oculus Quest
- Steam
- PlayStation
- Humble Bundle
It is compatible with PC, Oculus, and PSVR headsets.
Features: Engaging rhythm antics to keep you engaged with beats synchronized to every cut that gives you the best gaming experience.
Effects: The beats direct you to use the sabers in specific directions. The 3D shapes flying towards you need to be cut with every cut backed by strong sounds and visual effects.
Requirements: It requires 1.4 GB of space and works without an internet connection. Windows 7, 8.1, or 10 operating system of 64bit is required with a processor equivalent to Intel Core i5 Sandy Bridge.
Furthermore, the memory of 4 GB RAM is required to run the app smoothly.
User Interface: The interface is smooth and the visuals are well connected with the sound effects for the best experience.
- Smooth Interface
- Exceptional Visual and sound effects
- Unique of a kind gaming experience
- Engaging
- Ensures exercise
- If you are using the PSVR headset then you require two Move controllers which are difficult to find.
- Expensive
Best VR Gaming App With Rhythm Antics
Beat Saber is one of a kind VR game because along with powerful visuals, it ensures exercise with its unique rhythm antics.
#9: Your Personal IMAX Theater - Littlstar VR Review
Having the Littlstar VR headset is like having your personal IMAX theater all to yourself to watch Hulu, Netflix, and YouTube whenever you want. It offers an entire library of 360-degree videos giving you the cameraman angle.
Littlstar offers content in 3D, traditional, 180, 360 degrees, and even in AR. You can get access to content for kids, sporting content, movies, and a variety of other content with the option to create your own content as well.
If you decide to get a premium subscription then you can also get access to content by New Form, Theta TV, Engage, Whistle Sports, and other creators. It also gives you ARA awards that allow you to get licenses for content such as music and movies.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Use Littlstar
VR Headsets:This VR app is supported by:
- HTC Vive
- Valve Index
- Oculus Rift
Features: It comes with tracked motion controllers that help make the virtual reality experience extremely memorable.
Effects: Lilttlstar offers content in traditional and 3D visuals with 180 or 360-degrees viewing angles and some content in AR as well.
Requirements: This tiny VR cinema requires a processor of Intel i5-4590 equivalent or better with a Windows 10 operating system with 8 GB RAM and 2GB space.
User Interface: The UI is not smooth on some platforms but it is pretty clear on others, however, this depends on the platform you choose to use this VR cinematic app on.
- Plenty of options available for visuals
- Smooth interface on most platforms
- A wide range of content
- Suitable for both kids and adults
- Acts like your personal theater
- UI not smooth on Rift
- Advanced features unlock with premium version
Your Personal IMAX Theater
Littlstar is a great app for kids and adults to watch movies and other video content in the VR world with a fully immersive experience.
#10: Best 3D Art in the VR World - Tilt Brush VR Review
Tilt Brush might surprise you with its immense color wheel that allows you to paint in exuberant colors in the 3-dimensional VR world with Oculus Rift and HTC Vive Touch controllers.
The motion controls are extremely accurate and give you a very interesting artistic experience. The digital medium means you can delete the mistakes you make easily. Even if you are not very artistic, Tilt Brush can help you create something out of this world.
Along with the feature to paint, you can also use other effects such as adding smoke trains or sparkling stars to your creation to give it a more realistic look. You can also get a preview option on Oculus Rift.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Buy Tilt Brush
VR Headsets: The headsets that support this VR app include:
- Windows Mixed Reality
- Oculus Rift
- HTC Vive
- Valve Index
Features: It involves a sitting, standing, and room-scale play area. You paint with the help of tracked motion controllers.
Effects: The motion controllers allow you to create art in any color imaginable in the virtual world with smooth strokes and exceptional mediums.
Requirements: The Tilt Brush app requires an equivalent processor of Intel i5-4590, AMD FX 8350 or better with an operating system of Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1 or better, and Windows 10. It requires 4 GB RAM and 1 GB space.
User Interface: The interface is quite intuitive and smooth. Since it is by Google, rest assured that quality is promised.
- Easy to use
- Delete mistakes easily
- Create art with the help of the Tilt Brush features
- Wide color wheel
- Content creation
- Available for $20.
- Not available on PSVR due to tracking issues
Best VR App for 3D Art Creation
The Tilt Brush app provides great support for beginner artists to comfortably create art in the virtual world with a bunch of helpful tools and features.
Buyers’ Guide
There are a ton of virtual reality platforms out there. VR apps offer very unique features according to their area of interest and key demographic. However, each platform offers a sea of content through which you will have to find the content you are interested in.
Consider the following factors to make this process more convenient:
VR Headsets
VR apps are published by developers on app stores and VR content such as;
- Gear VR
- Oculus Quest
- Google PlayStore
- Apple Store
- Viewport
- PlayStation
- Google Cardboard
- PSVR
So before you decide to use or purchase a VR application, make sure it is compatible with the headset that you already own.
Features
All the best VR apps will provide you with a unique set of innovative and engaging features so do not settle for a mediocre app. However, if you are a beginner, we advise you not to use apps targeting advanced users as well. Start simple.
The best way to find the most suitable app for yourself is to research the market properly. App stores mention the details, features, specs, and requirements for every VR app where you can find all the information.
Effects
Without the right visual effects, you might have a really bad VR experience. The entire essence of a virtual reality game lies in its visuals. Therefore, choose an app which high ratings and good reviews.
Requirements
A major issue that gamers face is fulfilling the requirements for a VR game. Since these apps require a specific version of a processor and operating system matched with particular memory space, it can get tough to have all these things available to run a single app.
We recommend convenience. Do not go out of your way to fulfill the requirements for these apps because chances are you will spend a lot on the purchase of the app itself.
Moreover, if you get bored of a VR game and decide to purchase a new one with different requirements, it is going to put you through the same hassle all over again. Therefore, purchase the apps that align with your available processor and OS.
User Interface
VR apps contain pages and pages of mixed VR content as it is. A cluttered interface will not search the content you are interested in any easier. Moreover, an interface with glitches will ruin your experience with virtual reality as well.
As we mentioned earlier, the best way to dodge such problems is through thorough research of information and reading reviews by other consumers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does a version of Netflix VR exist?
Yes, a Netflix VR app does exist. To use it:
- Install the app and launch it
- Select your headset
- Click the smartphone’s Daydream view option that is compatible with Daydream’s software for Android or Google Cardboard
- You can also scan a QR code for other devices
- Finally, log in to your Netflix account to use its VR services
Which VR platform is the most popular?
Oculus Rift is the most popular high-tech platform for VR gaming quite close in competition to HTC Vive. It has become the starting point for developing VR games for all creators around the world. More than 77% of GDC developers have used this platform to develop games.
Which virtual reality platform has the best graphics?
HTV Vive Pro 2 has the best graphics that give you the VR experience with the highest resolution visuals. This is a very high-end PC VR headset that targets both novices and professionals with sharp pictures at 2,448 pixels for each eye.
Is there any VR platform that is better than Oculus?
HTC Vive Pro leaves the standard Vive and Oculus Rift far behind in competition because no one can match its clarity and comfort. However, its impressiveness can be quite costly since it is the most expensive headset by far.
How much do VR games cost?
There are many VR apps available for free, however, sometimes they may lack in quality. VR games on Oculus range in prices from $0.99 up to $59.99. The ones you use depend on your requirements.
Which VR headset is the cheapest?
The following list of VR headsets are all under $100:
- Google Cardboard
- Google Daydream view
- Homido Headset
- Gear VR
- Merge Goggles
Can VR harm your eyes?
BBC researched and claimed that an Association of Optometrist representatives being interviewed said that there is no evidence that a VR headset can cause any sort of permanent damage to the eyes. Just the normal eyestrain that one can get from computer screens as well.
Is VR good for exercising?
Many VR games require a physical workout to be played and there are special fitness VR apps as well dedicated to ensuring exercise. The Virtual Reality Institute of Health and Exercise stated that a popular fitness app can provide a rigorous workout just like in real life.
Can VR make you sick?
Many people ask this question before purchasing a VR headset or after a big VR gaming session when they feel a little sick. Cybersickness is closely related to motion sickness where you might feel nauseous, dizzy, or have headaches that can be caused due to VR.
Final Verdict
This concludes our post on the Best VR Apps with a complete guide to our top picks alongside their pros and cons.
While there are many apps for Android, iPhone, and PC devices, you would need in-depth knowledge about the VR apps you decide to use because chances are that they will be expensive.
Titans of Space, Google Earth VR, and Within VR are all our favorite choice, however, at the end of the day, we would highly recommend Within VR.
Within VR allows you to view more than specific VR content on the app only. You can view the content of your phone in VR as well and view your memories in 3D with a 360-degree view.
Let us know which VR app you choose!