Glossary

Virtual Reality (VR)

Virtual Reality (VR) replaces the real world with a fully simulated, computer-generated environment. Where Augmented Reality adds to your surroundings, VR shuts them out: you put on a headset and your eyes and ears are taken into a different place entirely. It sits at the fully virtual end of the reality-virtuality continuum and, unlike Web AR, always depends on dedicated hardware.

Quick Facts

Stands for: Virtual Reality
Core idea: a fully simulated environment that replaces the real world
Hardware: a VR or MR headset is required
Examples (2026): Meta Quest 3 and 3S, Apple Vision Pro (M5)
Web path: WebXR
Difference from AR: VR replaces reality, AR adds to it

VR is immersion taken to its conclusion. A headset tracks your head and hands and renders a complete world around you, which is powerful for training, walkthroughs, design review and games. The trade-off is reach: every viewer needs a headset and has to put it on, so VR is opt-in by nature.

As of 2026 the hardware splits roughly into mainstream and premium. Meta’s Quest 3S starts at 299 dollars and the Quest 3 at 499 dollars, both standalone on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2. Apple’s Vision Pro sits at the premium end, refreshed to the M5 chip in October 2025 at 3,499 dollars. On the web, VR is reached through WebXR, which runs well on Quest and is supported in Safari on visionOS for immersive VR sessions.

For selling products online, this is the honest picture: VR is a headset-bound, opt-in channel, whereas Web AR already works on billions of phones. PausAR Viewer deliberately focuses on that reachable Web AR slice, so your customers can see a product in their own room today without buying any hardware.

Comparison

Property	Virtual Reality	Augmented Reality
Surroundings	Replaced entirely	Stay visible
Hardware	Headset required	Smartphone is enough
Best for	Immersion, training, design review	Product preview, placement, sales

FAQ

Should I use VR or AR for selling products?

For most product sales, AR. It works on the phones customers already own and lets them place the item in their real space. VR is better for immersive training or design review, where a headset is acceptable.

Do I need a headset for VR?

Yes. VR is headset-bound by definition. If you want to reach customers without hardware, Web AR on a smartphone is the realistic option.

Can I offer a VR experience on WordPress?

Browser VR is possible via WebXR, but it needs a headset and custom work. For a no-code product experience that reaches everyone, PausAR Viewer delivers Web AR instead.