For simpler AR/VR applications with a need for versatility, XR Interaction Toolkit is your go-to. If you’re into high-complexity development with wider platform support, especially Microsoft suites, choose Microsoft Mixed Reality Toolkit.
Key Differences Between XR Interaction Toolkit and Microsoft Mixed Reality Toolkit
- XR Interaction Toolkit focuses on high-level, component-based system, making 3D and UI interactions easily accessible, while MRTK speeds up cross-platform MR app development using ready-made building blocks.
- XR Interaction Toolkit supports AR Foundation for AR functionalities while MRTK incorporates Vuforia Engine SDK for HoloLens.
- XR Interaction Toolkit is updated more frequently with the latest version being 2.3.0, updated on February 10, 2023. Microsoft, however, emphasizes on MRTK3 and continues to support critical issues in MRTK2.
- XR Interaction Toolkit is heavily tied to Unity Editor versions 2021.3 and onward, while MRTK is more flexible, supporting Unity 2018.4.x and Unity 2019, along with Windows SDK 18362+ for UWP apps.
| Comparison | XR Interaction Toolkit | Mixed Reality Toolkit (MRTK) |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Base Interactor and Interactable components managed by Interaction Manager | Core components can be replaced, various feature areas |
| Interaction Capabilities | 3D and UI interactions with hover, select, grab features and haptic feedback; interaction with XR Origin | Spatial interactions and UI with variety of UX building blocks; Input System, Hand Tracking |
| AR Functionality | Gesture system, object placement and manipulation, AR annotations | Supports ARCore XR Plug-in, ARKit XR Plug-in |
| VR Functionality | Integration with XR Device Simulator; Handles room-scale VR experiences | Supports Unity OpenXR Plugin, XR SDK Plugin |
| Ports & Compatibility | Supports Meta Quest, OpenXR, Windows Mixed Reality; Designed for Unity Editor versions 2021.3 onwards | Supports Meta Quest, Oculus XR Plugin, Microsoft HoloLens 2, Windows Mixed Reality headsets; Also compatible with older Unity versions (2018.4.x, 2019) |
| Dependencies | Depends on Input System, Unity UI, XR Core Utilities, XR Legacy Input Helpers | Requires Visual Studio 2019, Unity 2018.4.x, Unity 2019 with Windows SDK 18362+ for UWP app |
| Latest Version & Update | Version 2.3.0, updated on February 10, 2023 | MRTK3 public preview available, continuous updates by Microsoft |
| Known Limitations | Multiple interactor support issues on XR Grab Interactables, problems with mouse inputs when an XR Plug-in Provider is enabled | Some issues persist in MRTK2 while transition to MRTK3 |
| Support & Community Engagement | Support forums, issue tracker, public roadmaps, and example projects | Slack, Stack Overflow; documentation and tutorials readily available |
| Special Features | Simulates all interactions with XR Device Simulator | Building blocks for rapid prototyping; in-editor simulation; Vuforia HoloLens sample for Unity project setup |
What Is XR Interaction Toolkit and Who’s It For?
XR Interaction Toolkit is a high-level, component-based interaction system innovated by Unity. It’s a tech novelty that enables VR and AR experiences, bringing to life engaging 3D and UI interactions straight from Unity input events. It’s intended for those invested in VR and AR development, serving as a cutting-edge tool for creating immersive experiences.
Pros of XR Interaction Toolkit
- Enables immersive VR and AR experiences
- Supports multiple XR controller input systems
- Offers visual feedback for interactions
Cons of XR Interaction Toolkit
- Lacks support for multiple interactor on XR Grab Interactables
- Mouse inputs can’t interact with world space UIs when an XR Plug-in Provider is active
What Is Microsoft Mixed Reality Toolkit and Who’s It For?
The Microsoft Mixed Reality Toolkit (MRTK) is a powerful technology driven by Microsoft to expedite MR app development in Unity. It brings to table a range of features, including a cross-platform input system. This versatile toolkit is perfect for developers aiming to build cross-platform MR applications swiftly.
Pros of Microsoft Mixed Reality Toolkit
- Allows developers to swap out core components
- Supports wide variety of platforms and plugins
- Includes various UX building blocks and tools
Cons of Microsoft Mixed Reality Toolkit
- Continuation of MRTK2 issues till deprecation
- Migration to MRTK version 3 is recommended, possibly requiring app overhaul
XR Interaction Toolkit vs Microsoft Mixed Reality Toolkit: Pricing
Both Unity’s XR Interaction Toolkit and Microsoft’s Mixed Reality Toolkit are predominantly consulted for optimizing MR app development, and intriguingly, no explicit pricing details are discernible from the provided information.
XR Interaction Toolkit
The XR Interaction Toolkit is a high-level, component-based interaction system from Unity, which remarkably favours VR and AR experiences. Despite the dense amount of intricate details and extensive capabilities covered, the gleaning information provide no explicit insights into the pricing of this technology. However, it seems to rely crucially on different other components like Unity Input System, UI, XR Core Utilities, and the AR Foundation package. The pricing, therefore, could be inherently linked to these dependencies to some extent.
Microsoft Mixed Reality Toolkit
The Microsoft Mixed Reality Toolkit fosters the expedited development of cross-platform MR applications. The toolkit offers an inviting array of features and abilities to assist developers, and yet, the disclosed details regrettably do not shed light on its pricing. The toolkit is heavily aligned with Microsoft’s systems and more broadly, with Unity development platforms. Therefore, the pricing hypothesis could be intertwined with these fundamental alignments.
XR Interaction Toolkit or Microsoft Mixed Reality Toolkit: The Ultimate AR/VR Call
We’ve delved into the technical depths of XR Interaction Toolkit and Microsoft Mixed Reality Toolkit. But where should you invest your efforts? Let’s parse it by audience.
High-level Developers
The XR Interaction Toolkit may be your best bet. With a high-level, component-based interaction system, you’ll be able to leverage the utility of Unity’s input events. From multiple XR controller input systems to AR gestures and simulation capabilities, there’s much to work with. Notably, version 2.3.0 brings enhancements from the past and is compatible with Unity Editor versions 2021.3 and beyond.
Microsoft Loyalists
If you’re steeped in Microsoft’s ecosystem and value cross-platform MR app development, turn to the Microsoft Mixed Reality Toolkit (MRTK). Its variety of functions, expansive support range, and UX building blocks may tick all your checkboxes. Particularly enticing is the sneak peek of the highly anticipated MRTK3.
Developers Prioritizing User Experience
The selection of UX building blocks in MRTK makes it a strong choice for those designing user-centered VR/AR experiences. From buttons and tooltips to hand menus and fingertip visualizations, you’ll have a host of tools at your disposal.
Innovators Seeking Customization & Future-readiness
For disruptors eager to chart their own course, the XR Interaction Toolkit offers wide-ranging possibilities with the power to simulate all interactions with its XR Device Simulator. The high degree of customization backed by Unity’s rigorous support paves the way for future-ready exploration.
Between the XR Interaction Toolkit and Microsoft Mixed Reality Toolkit, consider your needs. High-level Unity commands? Choose XR Interaction. Faithful to Microsoft with a focus on UX? MRTK is perfect. Ready for trail-blazing? XR Interaction pulls out ahead.
