Augmented Reality is no longer an experimental tech. It is, in fact, now a core digital platform shaping how people work, play, and interact with the physical world.
This technology is driving major shifts across industries, fueled by advances in hardware, artificial intelligence, and immersive software.
This article breaks down the latest Augmented Reality statistics, from market growth and regional trends to gaming adoption and emerging startups.
Together, these data points highlight where AR stands today—and where it’s heading next.
Key Augmented Reality stats
- Global augmented reality market valued at USD 120 billion in 2025
- AR market projected to reach USD 600 billion by 2030
- AR market expected to grow at a 37.9% CAGR (2025–2030)
- North America accounts for over 33% of global AR revenue
- U.S. AR market projected to reach USD 15 billion by 2026
- Hardware represents 58% of total AR market share
- Global AR and VR user base projected to reach 3.8 billion by 2039
- Global AR gaming market valued at USD 15 billion
- AR gaming market projected to reach USD 108.19 billion by 2035
- AR gaming market growing at a 22.02% CAGR (2025–2035)
- North America leads the AR gaming market by regional share
Augmented Reality market overview
The global Augmented Reality market is said to be worth USD 120 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 600 billion by 2030.
This represents a strong compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 37.9% between 2025 and 2030.
- North America generated over one-third of total revenue
- The United States has the largest individual country market share, with a projected market volume of USD 15 billion in 2026.
- Hardware, the largest component segment, accounts for more than 58% of market share
- Head-mounted displays are the most widely used display type
- The industrial and manufacturing sector is the top application area for AR adoption
- The runner of AR and VR users worldwide is expected to reach 3.8 billion by 2039
Augmented Reality gaming market
The global AR gaming market was valued at USD 15 billion, according to Market Research Future.
This industry is entering a decade of sustained expansion, driven by growing consumer adoption and advances in immersive gaming technologies.
Market revenue is expected to surge to USD 108.19 billion by 2035.
This trajectory reflects a robust CAGR of 22.02% throughout the 2025–2035 forecast period.
North America holds the largest share of the AR gaming market share by region, followed by Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East, and Africa in that order.
Augmented Reality startups to watch in 2026
Augmented Reality is evolving. This technology has gone beyond consumer entertainment and is now being used by mission-critical tools in healthcare, manufacturing, finance, and mobility.
As AR hardware improves and AI integration deepens, the following startups are well-positioned to shape how AR is adopted at scale in 2026 and beyond.
1. Labs
- Focus: AI-powered immersive communities and human-enhancement tech
- What stands out: Blends AI, AR, VR, and blockchain to build next-generation digital social spaces
- Founded: 2025
- Location: Santa Monica, California
- Funding: $65 million (debt financing)
- Founders: Duránd F. Davis Jr., Maya Elz Davis
2. Luma AI
- Focus: Generative AI for 3D content creation
- What stands out: Converts text prompts into production-ready 3D models for games and AR experiences
- Founded: 2021
- Location: Palo Alto, California
- Funding: $157.3 million (Series B)
- Founders: Alberto Taiuti, Amit Jain
3. Emerge
- Focus: Multi-sensory communication and virtual touch
- What stands out: Uses ultrasound technology to let users physically feel virtual objects
- Founded: 2015
- Location: Los Angeles, California
- Funding: $37.5 million (Series A)
- Founders: Isaac Castro, Mauricio Teran, Sly Spencer-Lee
4. Impel
- Focus: AR-driven automotive retail software
- What stands out: Helps car dealers create immersive digital showrooms and personalized customer journeys
- Founded: 2011
- Location: Syracuse, New York
- Funding: $130 million (private equity)
- Founders: Devin Daly, Michael Quigley
5. Hailo
- Focus: AI processors for edge devices
- What stands out: Designs chips that enable AR and AI workloads to run efficiently on-device
- Founded: 2017
- Location: Tel Aviv, Israel
- Funding: $343.9 million (Series C)
- Founders: Avi Baum, Hadar Zeitlin, Orr Danon
6. Squint
- Focus: AR-powered manufacturing intelligence
- What stands out: Guides factory workers through complex tasks using AI and Augmented Reality
- Founded: 2021
- Location: San Francisco, California
- Funding: $59 million (Series B)
- Founder: Devin Bhushan
7. Mojo Vision
- Focus: Advanced AR display technology
- What stands out: Develops micro-LED displays using proprietary quantum-dot technology
- Founded: 2015
- Location: Saratoga, California
- Funding: $344.9 million (Series B)
- Founder: Michael Wiemer
8. Greenlite
- Focus: AI-driven compliance for fintech and banking
- What stands out: Uses AR-enhanced data analysis to simplify regulatory assessments
- Founded: 2023
- Location: San Francisco, California
- Funding: $20.3 million (Series A)
- Founders: Alex Jin, Will Lawrence
9. Rokid
- Focus: AI-powered AR smart glasses
- What stands out: Combines voice interaction and AR for hands-free, real-world computing
- Founded: 2014
- Location: Redwood City, California
- Funding: $643.9 million (venture round)
- Founders: Eric Wong, Mingming Zhu
10. Proprio
- Focus: AR-assisted surgical navigation
- What stands out: Uses real-time 3D mapping to enhance precision during complex surgeries
- Founded: 2016
- Location: Seattle, Washington
- Funding: $85.1 million (Series B)
- Founders: Gabriel Jones, Joshua Smith, Samuel Browd
Conclusion
The numbers make one thing clear: augmented reality is entering a phase of large-scale adoption across enterprise, gaming, and consumer applications.
For example, in web design, augmented reality is enabling immersive, interactive experiences directly within browsers through WebAR technology.
As investment accelerates and use cases expand, AR is becoming a foundational technology rather than a niche innovation.
Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, continued progress in AI, displays, and edge computing will further accelerate AR’s impact.
The startups and market trends outlined here offer a clear view into how augmented reality is shaping the future of digital experiences.
Sources:
Grand View Research, Market Research Future, Statista, Failory
