Best Augmented Reality (AR) Apps for Retail in 2024

Augmented Reality (AR) is revolutionizing the retail industry by enhancing the shopping experience, providing personalized interactions, and bridging the gap between physical stores and e-commerce. AR technology overlays digital information—like images, sounds, or text—on the real world, giving consumers the ability to visualize products in a new and interactive way. Whether you’re trying on clothes virtually, testing out furniture in your living room, or experimenting with makeup looks,Best Augmented Reality (AR) Apps for Retail are reshaping how we shop.

Here’s a list of the best AR apps for retail that are currently transforming how we discover, try, and buy products.

IKEA Place

Platform: iOS, Android
Category: Furniture and Home Decor

IKEA was one of the pioneers in adopting AR for retail, and its IKEA Place app continues to be one of the best in the industry. This app allows users to visualize IKEA’s extensive furniture catalog in their own homes in 3D. Simply by pointing your phone’s camera at a space, the app places realistic, true-to-scale models of furniture and decor items, allowing users to see how they would look and fit in a specific room. The app also includes the option to purchase directly through the platform.

Key Features:

3D visualization of over 2,000 products.
Accurate scale measurement for furniture.
Seamless in-app purchasing.

Sephora Virtual Artist

Platform: iOS, Android
Category: Beauty and Cosmetics

Sephora’s Virtual Artist app lets customers try on makeup products virtually before purchasing. With the help of AR technology, users can upload their photo or use live video to apply makeup, test different shades of lipstick, eyeshadow, and foundation, and even see how they would look with different makeup combinations. This eliminates the need for testers and encourages safe, virtual “try-before-you-buy” shopping.

Key Features:

Virtual makeup try-on with live camera or selfies.
Personalized product recommendations based on your preferences and features.
Integrated online shopping for easy purchasing.

Warby Parker

Platform: iOS, Android
Category: Eyewear

Warby Parker has made virtual try-ons a hallmark of its shopping experience. The app allows customers to try on various eyewear frames in real-time using AR. With the use of facial recognition, the app shows how different styles of glasses will look on your face. Additionally, it offers a feature to allow users to compare different frames side-by-side for a more informed choice.

Key Features:

Real-time AR try-on for glasses and sunglasses.
Virtual home try-on feature that allows users to try frames on from home.
In-app purchasing options with easy home delivery.

L’Oreal Makeup Genius

Platform: iOS, Android
Category: Beauty and Cosmetics

Similar to Sephora’s AR app, L’Oreal’s Makeup Genius allows users to try on makeup products virtually using their phone’s front camera. What sets L’Oreal’s app apart is its use of AR to map the user’s face with an impressive level of accuracy, allowing them to try on products such as foundation, lipstick, eyeshadow, and blush in real-time.

Key Features:

Virtual makeup try-ons for a wide range of L’Oreal products.
Realistic simulation with real-time lighting and product changes.
Step-by-step tutorials for makeup application.

Amazon AR View

Platform: iOS, Android
Category: General Retail

Amazon AR View is an excellent feature within the Amazon Shopping app that allows users to see thousands of products in their own environment before buying. From electronics to home furniture, the app offers a range of items that can be placed virtually in your home or office space. The app gives you an interactive 3D preview, allowing you to assess whether a product fits your aesthetic and spatial needs.

Key Features:

3D visualization of over 1 million products.
AR integration to see how products fit within your space.
Immediate purchasing option via Amazon’s seamless e-commerce system.

Nike Fit

Platform: iOS, Android
Category: Footwear and Apparel

Nike’s Nike Fit app leverages AR to provide a personalized footwear sizing experience. Through your phone’s camera, it scans your feet and provides precise measurements to recommend the best shoe size for your foot type. This eliminates the uncertainty of online shoe shopping, ensuring that you get the perfect fit every time.

Key Features:

Accurate foot scanning to determine your ideal shoe size.
Personalized shoe recommendations.
In-app shopping with the option to purchase directly from Nike.

Hololens by Microsoft (For Retailers)

Platform: Windows Mixed Reality
Category: Retail Solutions for Businesses

For businesses looking to integrate AR into their retail operations, Microsoft’s Hololens provides an advanced, enterprise-level solution. It is a mixed-reality headset that can be used by retailers to create immersive in-store experiences for customers. For example, fashion retailers can use Hololens to show customers how a piece of clothing might fit, even if it’s out of stock, or provide interactive in-store maps.

Key Features:

High-quality 3D modeling and visualization.
Immersive, hands-free experience.
Ideal for in-store product displays, training, and employee engagement.

Wayfair

Platform: iOS, Android
Category: Furniture and Home Decor

Wayfair’s AR app allows customers to visualize furniture and home decor items in their living space using their smartphones. The app offers an easy-to-use interface that lets you place virtual products around your room, helping you envision how they would look and fit within your existing space. This is particularly helpful for people who are uncertain about how certain pieces will fit into their homes.

Key Features:

3D product visualization in real time.
Simple-to-use interface for easy placement and rotation of products.
Direct purchase options with fast shipping.

Virtual Reality (VR) Shopping by VR Retailer (Various Brands)

Platform: Oculus, HTC Vive, PlayStation VR
Category: Virtual Shopping Environments

While not strictly AR, some retailers are combining AR with VR for a fully immersive shopping experience. Companies like VR Retailer allow customers to explore virtual stores and interact with products in 3D. This fully immersive experience provides a real-world store feeling, without having to leave your home. The rise of VR headsets has made this kind of shopping increasingly popular for retailers looking to provide an entirely new shopping experience.

Key Features:

Full-store virtual shopping experience.
Real-time product interaction and exploration.
Ability to shop in a fully immersive environment.

Zara AR App

Platform: iOS, Android
Category: Fashion

Zara’s AR app is a fun and interactive way to explore new collections. When in-store, customers can scan specific posters or displays using the app to unlock augmented reality experiences. This could include seeing models wearing the latest Zara clothing in real-time, or even getting special offers and rewards.

Key Features:

Interactive AR experiences tied to in-store displays.
Virtual try-on features for clothing.
Integration with the Zara e-commerce platform for direct purchases.

Augmented Reality is no longer a futuristic technology—it’s a powerful tool for enhancing the retail experience, making shopping more interactive, engaging, and personalized. These apps provide consumers with the tools to try before they buy, reduce uncertainty, and increase confidence in their purchase decisions. For retailers, AR helps differentiate their brand, improve customer satisfaction, and drive sales in innovative ways.

Whether you’re looking to try on a pair of shoes virtually, see how a piece of furniture fits in your home, or experiment with a new makeup look, these AR apps are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in retail.

FAQs: Best Augmented Reality (AR) Apps for Retail

1. What is Augmented Reality (AR) in retail?

Answer: Augmented Reality (AR) in retail refers to technology that overlays digital elements—such as images, videos, and interactive content—onto the real world. Through a smartphone or tablet camera, AR apps allow users to visualize products in real-time in their environment, providing an immersive shopping experience. For example, you can see how a piece of furniture looks in your living room or try on makeup virtually before purchasing.

2. How do AR apps improve the shopping experience?

Answer: AR apps enhance the shopping experience by allowing customers to visualize products in their real-world environments before making a purchase. This helps reduce uncertainty and boosts confidence, as customers can see how items will fit, look, or perform in their homes or on their bodies. AR also offers virtual try-ons, personalized recommendations, and more interactive product exploration, making shopping more enjoyable and convenient.

3. Can AR apps be used for all types of products?

Answer: While AR technology is incredibly versatile, its effectiveness can vary depending on the product type. AR apps are most commonly used for home goods (like furniture and decor), fashion (clothing, eyewear, makeup), and electronics. Some brands have expanded AR capabilities to other categories, such as food and fitness products. However, AR may not be as useful for certain items that require detailed hands-on interaction or testing before purchasing (e.g., groceries or highly specialized equipment).

4. Are AR apps free to use?

Answer: Many AR apps, particularly those from major retailers, are free to download and use. For example, apps like IKEA Place, Sephora Virtual Artist, and Warby Parker are available at no cost to consumers. However, some apps may require in-app purchases or purchases of the products themselves. For retailers using AR in physical stores (like through digital displays or immersive shopping experiences), the cost may be absorbed by the business or integrated into their store experience.

5. Do I need special equipment to use AR apps?

Answer: Most AR apps only require a smartphone or tablet with a camera and a compatible operating system (iOS or Android). Some AR experiences—like those using VR headsets or mixed-reality glasses (e.g., Microsoft Hololens)—may require additional hardware, but these are typically geared towards businesses or larger-scale retail applications. For the majority of consumers, AR apps work seamlessly on everyday mobile devices without the need for extra equipment