As virtual reality as emerges as the new frontier for collaboration, companies of all sizes are on the hunt for the right software. These days, VR headsets are growing increasingly more affordable, and teams are becoming more distributed, heightening the demand for virtual reality opportunities.
Fortunately, there’s no shortage of solutions out there built specifically for meetings. Facebook, one of the leaders in VR technology, has the Horizon Workrooms solution to offer – built for the Oculus Quest 2. Alternatively, you could try building your virtual spaces with the immersive MeetinVR.
Today, we’re going to compare the features of both these high-performance VR solutions, to help you decide which one might be best for you.
Facebook Horizon Workrooms Features
Facebook Horizon Workrooms is a convenient and easily accessible tool for the future of VR meetings. One of the most adoption-friendly tools around today, the technology helps to merge all kinds of virtual and real-world elements for more meaningful collaboration sessions.
Users can join a Horizon Workroom through their Oculus Quest 2 headset to experiment with things like virtual whiteboarding and 3D models. There’s also a mixed-reality desk and keyboard tracking, so you can still access essential computer features when sitting in VR. Alternatively, you can join the team with a video call from your smartphone or computer. Features of Facebook Horizons Workrooms include:
- Companion Oculus Remote desktop app
- Oculus customised avatars
- Note-taking and file transfer
- Screen sharing
- Easy access to web-based apps and documents
- Convenient hand-tracking
- Desk and keyboard tracking
- One-click easy access to VR environments
- Adjustable meeting rooms to suit different use cases
- Space for 16 VR users and up to 50 people total
- Spatial immersive audio
- Virtual whiteboard
- Ideal pinning and content exporting
- Video, voice, and chat streaming
- Calendar integrations
- Administration, privacy, and security controls
Facebook Horizon Workrooms is wonderfully easy-to-use, so anyone can start investing in VR meetings and conversations in no time. While there are some limitations on how much you can customise your experiences in this space, you will have instant access to a range of environments for collaboration from the moment you download the service.
MeetinVR Features
One of the better-known tools for VR meetings, MeetinVR has emerged as a top choice for convenient and immersive collaboration. Promising business meetings better than real-life interactions, MeetinVR is quick and easy to use, with a host of useful features, like whiteboarding, seamless drawing, and customisable environments for workshops and meetings. You can build all kinds of environments for optimized interactions and even pull a tablet into your space where you can extract files and recreate them in 3D.
Features range from advanced brainstorming to speech to text, 3D mind mapping, sticky notes, and more. Plus, you can sign up and try the professional version of the service for free before you buy anything for peace of mind. Features include:
- Multiple purpose-driven VR rooms
- Compatibility with a range of headsets
- Easy-to-use environment with a knowledgebase
- Endless whiteboarding options
- Hand tracking for better drawing in real-time
- Custom avatars
- Sticky notes and pinning
- Speech to text
- 3D mind maps with exportation
- Control tablet with file extraction
- Access to camera and personalization features
- Web browsing
- Easily invite multipole members in seconds
In the Idea Space you can find 6 whiteboards where you can be filled with sticky notes, drawings and media files 🙌 They are the best tool to get productive and collaborate with your colleagues and can be exported as images! 🚀#vrmeeting #workinvr #collaboration #productivity pic.twitter.com/M37qRDAyXh
— MeetinVR (@MeetinVR) April 21, 2021
Though not as supportive for people outside of the VR world as Facebook Horizon Workrooms, the MeetinVR solution does give companies a very easy way to manage all kinds of content. The helpful tablet within the meeting room space allows you to pull 3D documents and features out of the web and into your space in seconds.
Facebook Horizon Workrooms vs MeetinVR: Which is Best?
While both MeetinVR and Facebook Horizon Workrooms can offer an excellent collaborative experience in VR, the functionality of the tools is a little different. Both solutions allow you to extract files from different environments and bring them into your workspace, and both have features like whiteboarding and hand-tracking.
Facebook Horizon Workrooms, however, is a little easier to use if you’re looking for an all-in-one environment where VR and non-headset users can connect. It’s easy for team members to invite other staff into the meeting with video and audio streaming, so everyone can get involved. Access to features like mixed-reality tracking for your keyboard is extremely useful too.
People who do happen to be able to access the Horizon Workroom in VR will also get a wonderfully immersive experience, thanks to spatial audio and customisable avatars.
Like Workrooms, MeetinVR does have customisable avatars and meeting rooms for a more personalised experience. However, there aren’t as many options as possible for outside parties to come and connect with you in a VR environment. On the plus side, you can access some slightly more attractive scenes and inspiring environments within the MeetinVR workspaces.
MeetinVR is also extremely helpful at assisting companies in discovering potential use cases for their VR technology. There are tons of knowledgebase articles and use case examples to get you started, as well as a comprehensive FAQ.
Which VR Collaboration Solution Should You Choose?
Choosing the right environment for VR collaboration can seem a little daunting at first. There are all kinds of different tools out there, each intended for specific situations. Facebook Horizon Workrooms is an easy-to-access tool for companies looking to connect virtual and physical environments for collaborative purposes. The powerful landscape immerses you into unique conversations with your colleagues, where you can share ideas and files in no time.
MeetinVR is a beautiful space for virtual collaboration, packed with inspirational spaces to explore and an easy-to-use landscape. You can easily pull various pieces of content from the web into your meeting rooms and adjust your environment to suit different use cases. However, there aren’t as many options to bring non-headset users into the fold. If you’re looking to equip a more VR-first team, then MeetinVR could be the ideal choice for you, with fantastic FAQ guidance and knowledgebase access.
