5 Best Oculus Browser Alternatives to Use in 2023 [Go, Quest 2]
Oculus is using their own browser, called Oculus Browser
- In this article, we'll show you the top VR-compatible browsers available for Oculus headsets.
- A great VR browser also comes with VPN support, this makes the Opera browser stand out in our list of Oculus browser alternatives.
- We recommend you keep your browsers up to date to benefit from the latest features for your browser.
The Oculus Browser app lets you use the Oculus for Business headset to visit web pages. The Oculus Browser app is installed by default, however, there are other Oculus browser alternatives to choose from.
Oculus Browser helps you build immersive experiences on the web by supporting the newest web technologies and standards. Moreover, it must be enabled and accessible by an Oculus for Business administrator.
Because the Chromium rendering engine drives the Oculus Browser, it works well with modern 2D websites. It’s also tuned for new APIs like WebXR that make it easier for developers to tap into the maximum capabilities of VR.
The Oculus Browser mostly adheres to the same high-quality web standards as other Chromium-based browsers. We will take a step back from this VR-supported browser and explore other great alternatives.
Which browser supports VR?
One of the first browsers to offer 360-degree movies in virtual reality headsets like Oculus Rift and HTC Vive is Opera. In addition, the Opera browser is equipped with direct playback for virtual reality content making it a good Oculus browser alternative.
Therefore, you will be able to view movies in virtual reality immediately after starting to use the VR headset.
If you view a video that is compatible with Virtual Reality in Opera’s browser, you will see a button labeled Watch in VR. Clicking this button will cause the movie to begin playing in your VR headset.
The Firefox web browser has been around for a very long time and is quite well-known. Because the browser adheres to the WebVR standard, you can use virtual reality headsets like Oculus Rift and HTC VIVE to have a VR experience on your computer.
It is essential to highlight the fact that virtual reality (VR) may be experienced on Macintosh computers when paired with an HTC VIVE, thus, you are not restricted to using just Windows.
But there are even more browsers that support VR. Keep on reading this article to find out which one is the best for you to use.
What browser does Oculus use?
Just like we aforementioned, Oculus is using their own browser, called Oculus Browser which was optimized for VR use only. However, just because it is the default one, it doesn’t make it the best VR browser.
What are the requirements for virtual desktop in Oculus?
First, you must download the app and the Oculus device to your PC. The Oculus Go gadget will connect to your PC through Wi-Fi. However, before downloading the software, make sure it is suitable for your computer.
There are two essential installation requirements for VR Desktop:
- Your PC must have at least Windows 8.1 operating system installed, with Windows 11 on a 64-bit OS being the best option.
- It is recommended that your PC has a minimum of one NVIDIA graphics card installed with at least 2GB of capacity.
This being said, let’s see which Oculus browser alternatives are there on the market for you to choose from. Keep on reading!
What browsers are the best alternatives to the Oculus browser?
Opera – Comes with a built-in VPN
Opera has a feature-rich design and is among the few browsers that have an internal VPN, which allows you to conceal the IP address of your device and turn it on and off as needed. This is why we regarded it as the best Oculus browser alternative and the best browser for Oculus Quest 2.
Since 2013, the browser has been running on Google’s open-source Chromium (the foundation of Chrome). That implies that you can modify your experience by installing web extensions from Google’s vast repertoire.
Opera contains a functional VR 360 player that automatically identifies an inserted VR headset. A button labeled View in VR will show up above a video when the user navigates to it. A single click immerses the spectator in the video’s 360-degree universe.
It works with Oculus Rift and HTC Vive virtual reality headsets and has direct VR playback integrated into the browser.
Additional features:
- Pinboards
- Workspaces
- Adblocker integration
- Integrated messanger
Opera
Opera is a great VR browser equipped with other rich features, including a VPN.Microsoft Edge – Wide range of productivity tools
The new Microsoft Edge uses the Chromium project to improve compatibility and reduce fragmentation for web devs on the desktop.
Instead of WebVR, Edge may support WebXR from launch. This is the new benchmark for building immersive online experiences for VR headsets.
Suppose you own a Windows Mixed Reality VR headset. In that case, you may utilize Microsoft Edge in your mixed reality home by updating to the Windows 10 Version 1903 or later, which has native Win32 program compatibility.
While using a headset or HoloLens to test your apps is beneficial, it isn’t required since most WebXR interactions can render in Edge.
You may download and install the WebXR API emulator plugin from the Chrome extension store for more advanced interactions, such as using controllers. The F12 tools now include a new developer tool that emulates the most popular VR headsets, including the Oculus Quest and the HTC Vive.
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WebXR video will display on your computer using your selected device’s profile after the emulator is loaded, with the option to see stereo reconstructions of the WebXR data to test 3D.
Vertical Tabs, Collections, and Immersive Readers are among the productivity tools available in Microsoft Edge. They allow you to organize key tabs, browse two Internet pages at once, and absorb online material without being distracted. This makes Edge the second-best Oculus browser alternative.
Additional features:
- Improved privacy
- Chromium-based
- Support for Microsoft Defender SmartScreen
Google Chrome – Most popular choice among users
Chrome browser makes sense if you’re completely involved in the Google ecosystem. It connects to your Google account, enabling you to synchronize bookmarks and settings across computers.
The browser’s cross-platform compatibility, which includes Windows, Linux, Mac, Android, and iOS, allows it access to a wide number of people.
It incorporates VR (virtual reality) and works with Facebook’s Oculus VR hardware. The Windows Chrome version works with the Oculus Touch controllers and the Oculus Rift headset. Moreover, it is a good alternative browser for Oculus Go.
Note that the VR function isn’t enabled by default, so you’ll need to activate it from a hidden settings page.
Chrome also performs a fantastic job with tab management. The browser not only smartly resizes tabs and provides a pinning option for quick access, but it also maintains individual tabs in memory independently, so if one fails, the others should not.
Additional features:
- Browser media control features
- Support for all PCs and mobile platforms
- Support for Chromecast and Google Pay
Wolvic – For those who miss Firefox Reality
We all knew and loved Firefox Reality. However, according to a statement that was made recently by Mozilla, the browser will be taken down from the shops where it has been offered for download.
Wolvic is an open-source web browser that is being developed by Igalia and is based on the source code of Firefox Reality. Users who still wish to use a web browser in virtual reality are being directed by Mozilla to Wolvic.
Igalia boasts about its dedication to the XR domain, where XR is an umbrella word that refers to both virtual reality and augmented reality as well as technologies that are quite close to them.
But the firm’s own statement reveals that it thought Mozilla’s efforts on this front had halted, saying how it’s delighted to take up the trial and continue this work as a comprehensive project.
Wolvic supports WebXR content, which means that you can use it to access immersive online experiences and watch 360-degree films, similar to how Quest’s built-in Oculus Browser does.
It has a Privacy mode, voice Search, a Movie mode, and the ability to resize tabs, and Igalia has plans to keep adding additional features.
Key features:
- Similar to Firefox Reality
- Supports WebXR content
- Has a Movie mode
Chromium – Lightweight browser
Chromium is an open-source browser project that, although sharing some characteristics with Chrome, is very distinct from that browser. Chromium was developed by Google and it is an implementation of Google Chrome that is stripped down to its core functionality.
Because Chromium has support for the Web VR standard, it is compatible with virtual reality headsets such as Oculus Rift and HTC VIVE. However, the browser only offers the most basic functionality, and you may notice that many things that are available in Chrome are absent.
It does not depend on Google’s services since security and privacy are fundamental components of the browser. If you are concerned about maintaining your privacy, Chromium is an excellent option to consider.
Chromium is a browser that supports support for virtual reality (VR), but since it was built for developers and people with greater expertise, installing it may be more difficult than installing Chrome.
Key features:
- Lightweight browser
- Focused on user privacy and security
- Optimized for developers
Oculus browser not working
First, you need to press and hold the power button for a few seconds while your Oculus headset is turned on. Choose Restart from the Power Menu. Once it has finished restarting, launch the browser again to see if it’s working.
You can make another attempt to watch the movie or visit the page you were looking for before. It is anticipated that there will no longer be any issues to worry about.
Alternatively, check to see if there are any updates that are still waiting for the browser that you are using. In addition, please ensure that your Oculus software is kept up to current. These two actions are required in order to maintain compatibility with the most recent fixes between apps.
These browsers discussed are a great option if you want to enjoy daily Internet surfing and have the added support of virtual reality. They are all compatible with the Oculus VR headset but are not limited to it.
With newer updates to your OS, you will enjoy improved VR experiences and support for the different VR hardware.
Many VR browser features are in the pipeline and may be tested on beta editions. We also recommend keeping your browsers updated so that you can start using these features as soon as they are officially rolled out.
Don’t hesitate to leave a comment in the section below and tell us what you think. Thanks for reading!
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