You will see two terms a lot when reading about augmented reality: marker-based and markerless. They describe how the phone decides where to put digital content. Neither is better in general. They suit different jobs.

Marker-based AR

With marker-based AR, the phone looks for something it already knows, such as a QR-style pattern or an ordinary picture. When it finds it, it works out the position and angle and anchors content to it. This is also called image tracking.

The strength is precision. The content sits exactly where the image is and moves with it. The trade-off is that the viewer needs the image in front of them, whether printed or on a screen.

ARView's Video AR works this way: you upload an image, and the video plays on it when someone points a phone at it. The tracking data for your image is prepared in your browser when you upload.

Markerless AR

Markerless AR does not need a known image. The phone studies the camera feed, finds surfaces such as floors and tables, and lets you place content on them. This is how a 3D sofa appears in your living room.

The strength is freedom: nothing to print, nothing to scan. The trade-off is that the content is not tied to a specific object, so it is better for "see it in your space" than "bring this poster to life".

Which should you use?

  • You have printed material or packaging: marker-based. See AR video for print and packaging.
  • You sell products people want to place at home: markerless, with a 3D model.
  • You want both: they can live side by side. Use an image for a story and a 3D model for the product itself.

For how the phone side works on iPhone and Android, see how AR works on iPhone vs Android.

💡 The short version

Marker-based AR anchors content to a known image. Markerless AR anchors content to surfaces in the room. Pick based on what your audience is holding or standing in.

Frequently asked questions

Is image tracking the same as marker-based AR?

Image tracking is a common form of marker-based AR. The phone recognizes a known picture and anchors content to it.

Which one is easier for customers?

Both can run in a phone browser. Image-based experiences need something to point at, while placing a 3D model in a room needs only open space.

Which does ARView Video AR use?

Video AR is image-based: the video plays on top of the image you upload.