Native and JS API comparison

SDK API comparison

Full overview on the features and API options for Wikitude Augmented Reality.

JavaScript API

Wikitude’s JavaScript API let developers create augmented reality content defined in HTML and JavaScript. The entire experience is controlled and defined in JavaScript. It is targeted at developers and apps that enjoy the benefit of simple cross-platform development and using a modern JavaScript API. It incorporates a fully functional rendering engine with broad support for augmented reality content (3D models, videos, images,…). Both augmented reality development frameworks ( (JavaScript and Native) expose a Plugins API which can be used to extend the functionality of the SDK. For a complete comparison see the table below.

Native API

The Native API of Wikitude’s augmented reality SDK is targeted to developers who want to stay in the native world of their app. Either stick to ObjC for iOS apps or Java for Android apps that incorporate the Wikitude SDK. The Native API wraps the main functionalities of the Wikitude and enables the full computer vision power in your app. To keep it lean, the Native API does not integrate a separate rendering engine, but offers you the full flexibility in terms of rendering augmented reality content. Both APIs (JavaScript and Native) expose a Plugins API which can be used to extend the functionality of the SDK. For a complete comparison see the table below.

Javascript API Native API
Recognition & Tracking
Instant Tracking
SMART support (ARCore / ARKit)
Plane Detection
Save & Load Instant Targets
Hit-Testing API
Offline 3D Object Recognition & Tracking
Offline 3D Scene Recognition & Tracking
Offline 2D Image Recognition & Tracking
Cloud 2D Image Recognition & Tracking
Multiple Image Targets
Extended Tracking
Distance to Physical Target
Location based services
Geo-Location Scenes
Geofence Triggers
Radar UI Element
Relative Locations
Distance Based Scaling
Augmentations and Visualization
Full Customization of AR View
Integrated Rendering Engine
Texts
Images
Animated Images (Sprites)
Videos
Transparent Videos
HTML Widgets
Sound
Static 3D Models
Animated 3D Models
Occlusion models
Property Animations
Extended Functionality
Take a Screenshot
Snap-to-Screen
Multitouch Gesture Support
Front and Back Camera
Camera Zoom
FullHD Camera Rendering
Flashlight Control
Plugins API
Devices
Android
iOS
Windows
Smart Glasses

Functionality can be realised by your own using Android and iOS APIs.

Documentation