In 2025, both ARKit and ARCore have matured into powerful frameworks for creating immersive augmented reality experiences. This detailed comparison explores the latest capabilities, platform compatibility, AI integrations, development tools, and performance metrics for both SDKs. Whether you’re an iOS developer, Android engineer, or cross-platform XR creator, this guide will help you choose between ARKit and ARCore—or even integrate both—based on your target use case and technical needs. The keyword ARKit vs ARCore remains central as the debate evolves around device capabilities, hardware compatibility, and future-proofing immersive applications.
The Evolving AR SDK Landscape in 2025
Since the launch of ARKit (Apple) and ARCore (Google), both platforms have significantly evolved. As of 2025, developers are no longer choosing between two basic AR libraries—they are comparing two robust, AI-enhanced ecosystems.
- ARKit 7 (2025) comes with native spatial mapping, LiDAR optimization, eye tracking (on Vision Pro), and advanced scene understanding.
- ARCore 8 (2025) now supports AI-driven occlusion, real-time mesh generation, persistent cloud anchors, and better multi-device synchronization.
Choosing between ARKit vs ARCore today means comparing ecosystems, future integration potential, AI-native features, and edge hardware compatibility—not just device lists.
Core Feature Comparison: ARKit vs ARCore
| Feature | ARKit 7 | ARCore 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | iOS, iPadOS, VisionOS | Android, some ChromeOS, limited iOS |
| Tracking Type | World + Face + Eye (LiDAR support) | World + Face + Depth (via camera/NPU) |
| Depth API | LiDAR and RGBD | Time-of-flight + AI depth maps |
| Image Detection | Yes (multi-image & 3D) | Yes (multi-image + cloud anchors) |
| Scene Semantics | Indoor, human, object | Urban, room, landmark, facial zones |
| AI Integration | On-device AI for object occlusion | AI-enhanced cloud depth inference |
| Persistent AR | RealityKit Anchors (Vision Pro ready) | Cloud Anchors v2 |
| Multiplatform Sync | Apple-only ecosystem | Android + Chrome + WebXR support |
| SDK Size | ~200 MB (iOS native) | ~180 MB (gradle integrated) |
| Tooling | RealityKit, Reality Composer Pro | Sceneform (revived), Unity, Unreal |
Also Read: 7 Real-World AR Case Studies from 2025
Tracking Capabilities
ARKit 7 Enhancements:
- Precision tracking via LiDAR on iPad Pro and iPhone Pro models.
- New “People Occlusion 2.0” with multi-subject segmentation using Neural Engine.
- Eye and face tracking refined for Vision Pro; supports attention-based UI placement.
ARCore 8 Advancements:
- AI-augmented motion tracking for lower-end Android phones.
- Cloud Anchors updated with persistent room mapping for multi-user sessions.
- Environmental HDR supported natively across 80% of Android flagship devices.
AI in ARKit vs ARCore
ARKit AI Capabilities (2025):
- Uses Apple Neural Engine for fast, on-device scene classification.
- RealityKit integrates AI-driven animations based on user gaze or gestures.
- Apple Vision Pro uses AI to prioritize rendering for where the user looks.
ARCore AI Capabilities (2025):
- Uses Google’s Tensor chips for scene segmentation, depth interpolation, and human detection.
- Cloud Scene API: Recognizes common environments (e.g., streets, cafes) to auto-adjust AR behavior.
- AI-assisted pose correction improves marker tracking in dynamic lighting.
Also Read: Unity AR Foundation Tutorial for Beginners
Cross-Platform & Web Compatibility
| Platform | ARKit | ARCore |
|---|---|---|
| Native iOS | Full | Partial (via WebXR or Unity) |
| Native Android | No | Full |
| Apple Vision Pro | Full | No |
| WebXR | Only via Reality Composer export | Supports 8thWall, WebXR builds |
| Unity & Unreal | Yes (via AR Foundation) | Yes (via AR Foundation) |
| Cloud Support | iCloud + iOS sync | Firebase + ARCore Cloud Anchors |
ARKit is strictly iOS-first, while ARCore is Android-first but more adaptable for WebXR use cases. AR Foundation (Unity) bridges them, but device-specific features often remain inaccessible in cross-platform builds.
Development Experience & Tools
ARKit Development Workflow:
- Uses Swift, RealityKit, SceneKit, and Metal.
- Reality Composer Pro allows drag-and-drop AR scenes.
- Debugging is enhanced by Xcode spatial simulator and AR logs.
ARCore Development Workflow:
- Java, Kotlin, and C++ support in Android Studio.
- Unity and Unreal are fully integrated with ARCore Extensions.
- Sceneform SDK (revived in 2025) supports AI-based auto-texturing.
Also Read: 10 Best Free Tools for Building AR Apps: 2025 Guide for Developers & Creators
Performance and Power Efficiency
- ARKit benefits from deep iOS hardware integration, optimized memory management, and efficient on-device ML models.
- ARCore uses AI to lower battery drain by selectively enabling motion tracking and caching depth maps.
- In side-by-side tests (as of 2025), ARKit generally loads faster on LiDAR-capable iPhones, but ARCore scales better across a variety of Android hardware tiers.
Use Case-Specific Recommendations
| Use Case | Best SDK |
|---|---|
| High-end AR retail on Apple devices | ARKit |
| AR navigation across Android phones | ARCore |
| AR face filters for social apps | Tie (Both SDKs offer strong support) |
| Persistent multi-user AR scenes | ARCore (Cloud Anchors v2) |
| Spatial UI on headsets (e.g., Vision Pro) | ARKit |
| WebAR experience deployment | ARCore (via 8thWall) |
Also Read: Common AR Development Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
Limitations of Each SDK
ARKit Limitations:
- No Android support.
- Some advanced features (like LiDAR occlusion) are available only on premium Apple devices.
- Closed-source; minimal external contributions.
ARCore Limitations:
- Fragmented performance across Android device tiers.
- Slower feature rollout due to OEM differences.
- Less robust in ultra-low-light environments compared to LiDAR-based ARKit.
The Future: Will ARKit and ARCore Merge?
While AR Foundation provides a partial bridge between ARKit and ARCore, no official unification is on the horizon. Apple is doubling down on its walled garden approach with Vision Pro and RealityKit, while Google is pushing ARCore into the broader WebXR and Android ecosystem.
However, in 2025, both are increasingly AI-driven, enabling new levels of context awareness, performance optimization, and user personalization.
Conclusion
Choosing between ARKit vs ARCore in 2025 depends on your target devices, user base, and desired features. If you’re building for Apple’s spatial ecosystem, ARKit provides unmatched integration. If you’re developing cross-platform AR with persistent shared spaces or aiming for broader reach via Android and WebXR, ARCore is your best bet.
For developers working in Unity or Unreal, AR Foundation provides a good compromise—but always test feature parity before deploying. The future of AR isn’t just about platforms—it’s about intelligent, AI-enhanced user experiences. Both SDKs are heading there. Your decision should align with your app’s vision.
Also Read: Building AR Product Demos: AR for E-Commerce
FAQs
1. How does ARKit use Vision Pro’s sensors compared to ARCore?
ARKit 7 is optimized for Vision Pro’s eye and hand sensors, allowing gaze-based triggers and 3D UI anchoring, which ARCore doesn’t support natively.
2. Are ARCore’s AI features reliant on cloud processing?
Partially. Scene understanding uses Google’s Cloud Scene API, but real-time motion tracking is handled on-device using Tensor chips or NPU equivalents.
3. Can ARKit apps run in browsers?
Not directly. Apple limits browser-level AR support. Developers must export to WebXR through Unity or Reality Composer Pro with limitations.
4. What’s new in ARKit’s object detection for 2025?
ARKit 7 supports multiscale object detection and semantic context recognition, distinguishing between “table” vs. “dining table” in AR.
5. Can ARCore sync multiple users in AR in real time?
Yes. ARCore Cloud Anchors v2 in 2025 support up to 20 users in a shared scene with AI-based drift correction.
6. What is the difference between ARKit’s RealityKit and SceneKit in 2025?
RealityKit now includes more AI animations and spatial audio, while SceneKit is deprecated for new projects.
7. Is Sceneform still usable with ARCore?
Yes, Sceneform has been revived by the open-source community with AI asset generation and Unity-like logic scripting.
8. Does ARCore offer eye tracking in 2025?
Only partially and only on select Android XR devices with compatible hardware. Not as robust as ARKit’s Vision Pro integration.
9. What’s the battery performance of ARCore apps in 2025?
Improved with AI-assisted load balancing. Background processing is reduced by dynamically pausing sensors when inactive.
10. Can I build ARKit and ARCore apps simultaneously?
Yes, using Unity’s AR Foundation, but platform-specific features (like LiDAR or Cloud Anchors) may not be fully supported.