The most common programming languages for AR development are Swift, Kotlin/Java, C#, and JavaScript, chosen for their integration with major platforms, engines, and tools. These languages align with the primary ecosystems for building AR applications: mobile-native development, game engines, and web-based experiences. Each language serves specific purposes depending on the target platform and development approach.
For mobile-native AR development, Swift is widely used for iOS apps leveraging Apple’s ARKit framework. Swift’s modern syntax and tight integration with iOS tools like Xcode make it efficient for building high-performance AR experiences on iPhones and iPads. Similarly, Kotlin and Java are standard for Android AR apps using Google’s ARCore. Kotlin, now Google’s preferred language for Android, simplifies ARCore integration with concise syntax and interoperability with existing Java libraries. For example, an AR navigation app might use ARCore’s motion tracking in Kotlin to overlay directions on live camera feeds. These languages are favored for native development due to direct access to device sensors and platform-specific optimizations.
C# is dominant in cross-platform AR development through Unity, a game engine powering many commercial AR applications. Unity’s AR Foundation framework allows developers to create apps for both ARKit and ARCore using C# scripts, enabling shared codebases for iOS and Android. For instance, a furniture retail app built in Unity could let users visualize 3D models in their homes across devices. C#’s simplicity and Unity’s asset store streamline prototyping, while performance-critical components might use C++ plugins. Unreal Engine, though less common in AR, uses C++ for similar purposes but requires more specialized expertise.
JavaScript, combined with WebXR and libraries like AR.js, is key for browser-based AR. This approach avoids app installations and works across devices with compatible browsers. A marketing campaign might use AR.js to display 3D product previews via a web link, using JavaScript to handle camera access and rendering. While web AR sacrifices some performance compared to native apps, it’s accessible and easier to deploy. Python and other languages occasionally appear in AR-adjacent tasks like backend services or machine learning model training but aren’t primary choices for core AR logic.