The primary difference between Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) lies in how they interact with the physical and digital environments.
Augmented Reality (AR): AR enhances the real world by overlaying digital elements, such as images, animations, or text, onto the physical environment in real-time. Users remain aware of their surroundings while interacting with virtual additions through devices like smartphones, tablets, or AR glasses. Common applications include AR shopping apps, navigation tools and games like Pokémon GO.
Virtual Reality (VR): VR, on the other hand, creates a fully immersive digital environment that replaces the physical world entirely. Using headsets and controllers, users engage in a simulated space where they can interact with virtual objects and scenarios. VR is widely used in gaming, virtual training and simulations for industries like healthcare and education.
In essence, AR adds virtual elements to enhance reality, while VR transports users into a completely virtual world, cutting off the physical environment.