Spark AR alternative
Spark AR is gone.
Keep making AR, on the open web.
Meta shut down Spark AR on January 14, 2025, and third-party effects disappeared from Instagram and Facebook.
With illust you can keep making face, world and image-target AR, and share it with a link or QR code that opens in any phone’s browser.
A face effect illust built with Spark AR, shared on Instagram.
From the team that helped launch Spark AR
illust co-founder Rob McCarty worked with Meta to help launch Spark AR. Now illust gives Spark creators a place to keep building.
What’s different
What's different, plainly.
illust effects aren’t Instagram or Facebook filters. They open in the phone’s browser from a link, QR code or NFC tag, so you can put them in your bio, stories, posters, packaging and venues.
| Spark AR | illust | |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Shut down January 14, 2025 | Available now, with a 10-day free trial |
| Where effects open | Inside the Instagram or Facebook camera | Any phone’s web browser |
| How people open them | From an Instagram or Facebook account | A link, QR code or NFC tag |
| Where you can share | Instagram and Facebook | Bio, stories, posters, packaging and venues |
| AR types | Face, world and target tracking | Face, world and image-target AR |
| Custom scripting | Yes | No. Built-in interactions and animation instead |
What you can make
Face AR is just the start.
Face AR
Effects that track the face, right in the phone’s browser.
World AR
Pin 3D work to real places, from a staircase to a city park.
Maps and exhibitions
Gather your placements on a map people can explore.
Image-target AR works too, on posters, murals, prints and packaging.
How to switch
Move your work in three steps.
Gather your assets
Collect the textures, .glb 3D models, video and audio from your Spark projects.
Rebuild the effect
Start your free trial and assemble the effect in AR Studio with its built-in interactions and animation.
Share it
Put the link or QR code in your bio, stories, posters or venue signage.
Rather not rebuild it yourself? Our creative services team can rebuild your effects for you. Book a call and we’ll quote the project.
FAQ
Switching from Spark AR.
Not directly. illust works from your source assets: upload the textures, .glb models, video and audio you made, then rebuild the effect in AR Studio.
Yes. Face AR runs in the phone's browser. Body tracking isn't available yet, and AR Studio doesn't support custom scripting, so effects built on Spark scripts need to be rebuilt with the studio's built-in interactions and animation.
No. illust experiences open in the phone's web browser.
Plans start at $30/month after a 10-day free trial. Lifetime access is $500 through December 31, 2026.
Yes. Our creative services team can rebuild your effects. Book a call and we'll quote the project.
Your effects deserve an audience.
Start a free trial now, or pick a time below for a 15-minute call with Rob.