Virtual reality software development kits, or VR SDKs, provide the fundamental tools to design, build, and test VR experiences. These SDKs are the building blocks to create VR experiences such as mobile apps, marketing experiences, training simulations, and more. VR SDKs offer the tools to perform functions such as adding, cloning, and moving 3D objects. Additionally, these tools allow flexibility for non-developers, with many systems providing drag-and-drop functionality to customize experiences. These tools may sometimes be customized through the use of an API. While SDKs are typically intended for specific frameworks and hardware, some can be supported on multiple systems. In addition, while some VR SDKs also have the functionality to create AR experiences, these tools should not be confused with AR SDKs, which give developers the tools to specifically develop and test augmented reality apps.
To qualify for inclusion in the Virtual Reality (VR) Software Development Kits category, a product must:
Offer the functionality to create custom VR experiences
Allow for the editing of existing VR experiences
Integrate with operating systems and hardware that can display VR