Looking for an VR development company or augmented reality development company?
You’ve come to the right place.
It is estimated that AR/VR development market revenue will reach USD 31.12 bn in 2023, but that is just the tip of the iceberg! Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality’s real potential still lies beneath the waters. That’s because most of us believe that AR & VR are primarily limited to gaming, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
In fact Augmented and Virtual reality are set to have massive impacts across a number of industries around the world, including Electronics, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Education and eCommerce.
As AR and VR goes mainstream, businesses are on the lookout for talented virtual reality app developers that can turn imagination into reality with code. However, the number of developers that are required to meet the rising demand is not growing at the same pace, making it harder for businesses to hire AR/VR development companies.
In this blog we’ll address this issue by discussing in detail how you can find the best VR development company or augmented reality development company for your requirements. We will go through a step-by-step process of hiring anAR/VR development company.
You will also get to know how to make use of platforms like Goodfirms to help you in the search process.
Why are AR and VR Development Companies in High Demand?
The surge in demand for virtual reality app developers isn’t without reason. Worldwide spending on Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality technology is estimated to reach USD 72.8 billion by the coming year. Among which, the largest market share belongs to AR Software, which alone accounted for a market volume of USD 11Bn in 2023. If AR software is incredibly popular and set to grow volumes in the near future, AR software developers are sure to be in demand as well.
The growing demand is also reflected in a growing user base. By 2027, it is expected that the number of AR/VR users will reach a staggering 2593 million! These projections are a clear indicator of the growing adoption and acceptance rate of these technologies. Numbers are promising from an industry perspective as well, with the electronics industry leading Augmented or Virtual Reality adoption by making up 31.9% of the sector.
But perhaps the biggest reason why demand for virtual reality app developers is sure to skyrocket, is Apple. More specifically the Apple Vision Pro, Apple’s new line of AR/VR products that are set to hit the market early 2024.
Apple Vision Pro
This may be a brand new product category for Apple who faces the risk of launching a product that just doesn’t catch-on. However, if history is to be believed, this will propel AR/VR into the mainstream, significantly raising the demand for AR/VR developers.
The following statistics reveal how AR/VR is the next big thing:
Finding an AR or VR Development Company
You can always go for a search on Google & other search engines but this can be a tedious task.
So, what is the solution?
The other option is to find and hire an AR/VR development company by yourself. Let’s have a look at the step-by-step process of finding an VR development company or an augmented reality development company as you need to have a perfect development partner for your project.
Step-Wise Approach of Finding an AR/VR Development Company
Step 1: Be Crystal Clear About Your Requirements
First and foremost you need to be absolutely clear about your project requirements before you begin your search for a VR development company or augmented reality development company. This will ensure that the Augmented or Virtual Reality development company you finally choose knows the requirement and is capable of delivering it.
You can start with the following aspects for finalizing your project requirement:
- Purpose and primary objectives of your project
- Specific experiences you want to create for your target audience
- Identify your target audience
- Technical specifications, hardware and software requirements
Step 2: Specify the Criteria for Shortlisting
Once you are clear about your requirements, it's time to find the best VR development company or augmented reality development company for the same.
You need a list of potential companies for your AR/VR development requirement, so that you can shortlist and finalize. After you have a list ready of potential AR/VR development companies, it's time for scrutiny.
You can also rely on platforms like Goodfirms, Clutch, 99 Firms, which already have a list of top AR/VR tech development companies.
For scrutiny, there are parameters like technology stack, company culture, portfolio, pricing etc; which we will see in the next steps.
Step 3: Carefully Examine Expertise & Technology Stack
You should find out if the company has software developers who have experience in developing Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality projects. Their technology stack should be in tune with your project requirements.
For examining expertise in the domain, you can check the portfolio of the company on independent platforms like Goodfirms.
Look for hiring and AR/VR development companies with expertise in the following:
- Knowledge of popular Virtual Reality SDKs and APIs
Google VR SDKs:
They are available on several platforms including iOS, Android, Unreal and Unity.
Amazon Sumerian:
It’s an AR/VR solution launched by Amazon and is compatible with all popular platforms including HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Google Daydream, Lenovo Mirage and HTC Vive Pro.
It can be used for many domains including education, retail sales etc.
- Programming Skills
Augmented Reality or Virtual Reality environments are powered by scripts written in C++, Python, Java and JavaScript. The virtual reality app developers who work on your project should have a clear understanding of Big O notation, Object Oriented Programming and abstraction.
- Basic Understanding of XR
Extended Reality or XR is an umbrella term for both AR & VR. The developer who will work on your project should have a basic understanding of both the technologies.
- 3D Animation & Creativity
An AR/VR developer working on augmented and virtual reality projects should have some experience with 3D software solutions like Blender and Unity. This can be used to create designs which are difficult to showcase using only words or sketches.
- Understanding of UI/UX
UI/UX designers are required for AR/VR powered apps as well and they need to have specialized skills and experience. You should look for the following skills:
Android app UI Design: The designers should be well versed with Material Design guidelines as Android apps must be developed in accordance with it.
iOS app UI Design: For these apps, designers must know the Human Interface Guidelines as Apple uses it.
- Cloud Service Platforms Expertise
Companies are increasingly making use of cloud services for scalability at a predictable cost. Virtual reality app developers also need to have some experience of prominent cloud platforms such as:
AWS Elastic Beanstalk:
It is Platform as a Service (PaaS) from AWS, which manages storage, networking, cloud infrastructure, runtime environments and cloud infrastructure.
Virtual reality app developers should have experience of integrating third-party APIs, DevOps services and databases.
Amazon EC2:
It is Amazon’s Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) which is Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and used by many businesses to create their apps. It has very good cloud capabilities.
AWS Amplify:
This service from Amazon will help AR/VR development firms to focus on development of the front end. It is Mobile Backend as a Service (MBaaS) which develops and manages the backend.
- Testing Frameworks Expertise
All IT projects require rigorous testing to ensure that they are working as per the benchmark set. Virtual reality app developers will also need to do some testing themselves. Some of the frameworks they need to be well versed with include:
Selenium: It is an open-source testing framework.
Espresso: It is used extensively to test Android apps.
XCTest: It is used for testing iOS apps.
Testing has to be comprehensive and needs to be done on a wide range of devices and browsers. For this virtual reality app developers must be familiar with solutions like pCloudy, which enables such testing processes.
Step 4: Identify Company Culture & Examine Track Record
Technical expertise is no doubt important for shortlisting a VR development company or augmented reality development company, but the company's culture is also equally important. You must find and hire an AR/VR development company which has similar values.
You need to keep the following parameters in mind while evaluating a potential partner:
Communication
You need to know the company’s transparency and speed of communication. You can start evaluating this from your initial enquiry. For instance, are they providing detailed information for every query and are they willingly doing it?
Bottomline: The virtual reality app developers who have been assigned your projects should be available for frequent communication and feedback.
Project Management Skills
You should be familiar with the hired company’s team structure and their approach of collaboration with client’s, within the team. You should also inquire about tools they use for project management.
A dedicated project manager should be assigned to supervise your project and meet the deadline. The project manager should be approachable and should address your concerns.
Step 5: Evaluate Experience
You should check whether the shortlisted companies have past experience of similar projects.
You should go through reviews and testimonials which are available on their website. You should see whether the reviews are in line with your project requirements. You can even get in touch with some of the companies who have worked with the concerned company in the past.
Independent platforms like Goodfirms & Clutch can also provide you with valuable reviews which can help you in shortlisting and hiring virtual reality development companies or augmented reality development companies.
Step 6: Discuss Pricing, Contract Terms & Conditions
After shortlisting, say for example, 5 companies for your Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality requirement, you should compare pricing as well as other terms and conditions.
Cost should not be the only parameter you should consider but it is also vital, as you may have a limited budget for your AR/VR requirement and a deadline as well.
You need to carefully examine the company’s pricing model and details included in cost estimation. These can include scope of the project, complexity and timeline.
You should inquire whether there are any additional taxes or charges which will impact the final cost.
If the payment is to be done in tranches, then carefully examine the milestone for payment and see whether they are fair and feasible.
The payment structure should align with your estimated cost and projections for cash flow.
Your AR/VR development partner should know about your Intellectual Property rights & confidentiality terms. You should know whether they are ready to sign a Non-disclosure Agreement(NDA).
How Can Goodfirms Help You in Hiring the Best AR and VR Development Companies?
Goodfirms was launched with an ambitious mission, which was to help its users find the right business partner for their projects.
Finding a company you could trust was a difficult proposition as there were hardly any platforms where you could find trustworthy information.
Companies looking for their AR/VR development partner would have to search, compare and evaluate companies on their own. This is where Goodfirms stepped in and has now become the most trusted B2B review and rating platform, which is being trusted by millions of users.
Goodfirms has over 60,000+ verified reviews & ratings, research-backed company listings and game-changing market insights.
To find the list of top AR/VR development companies on Goodfirms, Click Here.
Goodfirm's Page for Top AR and VR Companies
These companies provide innovative solutions for AR/VR development. You will find information like their developer’s hourly rates, number of employees, location and the year company was established.
You will also find reviews and testimonials of their previous projects. There will be a complete list of their key clients and portfolios. There will be percentage wise breakdown of service focus, client focus.
You can directly visit their website with the “Visit Website” tab provided on the top of the page.
There is a rating on a 5-point scale on parameters like Quality, Schedule & Timing, Communication and Overall rating.
Along with this there is the “Leaders Matrix” page, which is a handpicked selection of AR/VR tech development firms.
Goodfirm's Leader Matrix for AR/VR Development
This selection is based on Goodfirm’s “Leaders Matrix” algorithm, which evaluates the AR/VR industry to identify the most accomplished and innovative firms. They have been classified into different categories by analyzing their core competencies and overall performance.
The categories used are Industry Leaders, Industry Contenders, Market Influencers and Upcoming Achievers.
The leaders matrix showcases the top 20 companies based on performance in the four categories.
Goodfirm's page for getting Personalized AR/VR Companies List
As shown in the image above, Goodfirms also provides an option wherein you can send your exact requirements and you will receive a customized list of Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality development companies within a few days.
Goodfirm's Page for Personalized AR/VR companies list
Business Domains Utilizing AR/VR The Most
In case you are not sure how AR/VR can help you in growing your business, let’s have a look at some of the use cases of Augmented or Virtual Reality in major sectors. This will help you in taking decisions regarding using the technology as well as finalizing your Augmented Reality or Virtual Reality development partner.
Education
Augmented or Virtual Reality can be used in education to explain complex concepts by 3D modeling. The technology can also be used for conducting experiments which offer safety, cost-effectiveness and supportive visual material.
Fact: AR/VR in the education market is expected to grow at 18.2% CAGR from 2022 to 2027.
Healthcare
AR/VR technology can also be used for assisting surgeries by visualizing them step by step. Doctors can also get remote assistance from professionals.
Medical students can also benefit a lot from usage of AR/VR in their education and training. Patients can be informed about their medical condition and symptoms via the Augmented or Virtual Reality visualization tools.
Fact: VR in healthcare is further getting boosted with use of wearable devices like fitness fands, trackers, headset and Goggles..
Sales & Marketing
AR/VR can be used to create interactive online ads which are much more effective in terms of user engagement and memory encoding. AR can be used to capture and analyze eye movements for improving store and product layout.
Fact: Big brands like furniture maker Ikea and fashion house Gucci are making use of VR for marketing.
Gaming, Media & Entertainment
This is the sector in which ARR/VR is being used the most at present. It is being used to build immersive games which are captivating and mesmerizing. The technology can also be used for creating movies.
Fact: In 2020, an investment of USD 12 billion was made in AR/VR gaming.
Retail & Ecommerce
Augmented or Virtual Reality technology is being used to give consumers the experience of visiting a store, from the comfort of their homes. This is done by making use of wearable technology and other sensors.
In eCommerce, AR/VR is being used to help customer try products or to see how a particular furniture would look in their house.
Fact: Shopify has reported 94% higher conversion of AR integrated products.
The Bottom Line…
We have just seen the tip of the iceberg as far as AR/VR technology and its applications are concerned. As the number of AR/VR development companies increase, we will see an increase in applications and decrease in overall costs.
For now, you can depend on our top AR/VR development companies list to find the best partner according to your requirements. Make sure they have technical expertise and project management skills to deliver what you want and when you want.
FAQs on How to Find an AR/VR Development Company?
Q: What are some of the applications of AR/VR?
Ans: Some of the major applications of Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality include Games, entertainment, Ecommerce, retail, real estate, education, training, tourism and healthcare.
Q: Why Hire virtual reality Developers externally?
Ans: Hiring VR developers externally can result in lots of cost savings. It can also provide you with access to a wider talent pool. You can also work with AR or VR developers based anywhere in the world.
Q: What basic technical skills an AR/VR developer should have?
Ans: A dedicated AR/VR developer should have experience in using AR/VR development tools like Unity and Unreal Engine. Along with this proficiency in C# and C++ and understanding of 3D modeling.
Q: How much is the cost of hiring an AR/VR developer?
Ans: The cost of hiring an Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality developer depends completely on the requirements of your project. If you need complex functionalities, then more developers will be required, which will increase the cost. The cost varies from 25$ per hour to 199 $ per hour depending on the location.
Q: How long will it take to hire an AR/VR developer?
Ans: The time required for creation of AR/VR application depends on several factors including:
- Idea Validation
- MVP creation
- Feature Complexities
- Testing Method
Q: Can you test the AR/VR developers skills before hiring them?
Ans: Yes, most companies would allow you to test the developers before hiring AR/VR developers for your project.
Q: Which platforms are used for AR/VR development?
Ans: There are some standard platforms for AR/VR development which include Unity 3D, Vuforia, Arcore and Arkit.
Q: Can you replace an AR or VR developer midway through the project if you are not satisfied with their performance?
Ans: Yes, the company you have signed an agreement with will replace the developer in most cases, in case you are not satisfied with the work.
