8 Best Augmented Reality Stocks

Augmented reality is technology that allows you to superimpose images, sounds, and other digital elements onto your real world environment. In other words, it gives you the power to blend elements from the digital world and real world together.

Many people associate augmented reality technology with gaming, but it has countless other applications. In fact, augmented reality technology is used in automotive manufacturing, real estate, education, retail, and many other industries. 

There are so many ways to use augmented reality, which is why experts predict that this market will experience significant growth over the next few years. In 2020, the augmented reality market was valued at $14.7 billion, but experts believe it will grow to $88.4 billion by 2026.

Because so much growth is expected in this market in the near future, now is the perfect time to invest in augmented reality stocks. Here are some of your best options:

SNAP

SNAP is the stock symbol for the social media app Snapchat. This social media app has a long history with augmented reality technology. In 2016, the company introduced Lenses, which is now one of its most popular features. It’s estimated that around 170 million people use this feature each day. 

You can use Snapchat’s augmented reality lenses to change the way you look, your surroundings, or even the sound of your voice. For example, one Snapchat lens uses augmented reality technology to project a pair of bunny ears onto the user’s head. 

Snapchat is also in the process of developing a pair of augmented reality glasses for consumers. The glasses, which are called Snapchat Spectacles, will allow consumers to enjoy unforgettable augmented reality experiences. 

Snapchat has given out hundreds of pairs of Spectacles to augmented reality creators and influencers. However, the company is still tweaking the design and making changes to the user experience before making them available to the public. If these glasses are a hit, it’s safe to say that Snapchat’s stock price could increase.

ETSY

ETSY is the stock symbol for Etsy, a global online marketplace that allows people to buy and sell unique items. This may not be the first company that comes to mind when you think of augmented reality technology, but Etsy has invested heavily in this technology. 

In 2020, Etsy announced that shoppers could now preview what paintings, photographs, or art prints would look like in their home using a new feature powered by augmented reality technology. This makes it easier for consumers to decide which piece of wall art would look best before making a purchase. 

This feature is currently limited to wall art, but Etsy has plans to expand it in the future. Eventually, the company would like shoppers to be able to use augmented reality technology to virtually try on or preview any item for sale on Etsy. Using augmented reality in this manner could significantly improve the user experience for Etsy shoppers, which could give the company’s stock price a boost in the years ahead.

GOOGL

GOOGL is the stock symbol for Google, one of the major players in the augmented reality market. 

Google already uses augmented reality technology in a number of different ways. For example, the company now uses augmented reality technology to power its “Live View” on Google Maps. This feature makes it easier for users to understand where they need to go to get to their final destination. 

You can also use augmented reality technology to conduct visual searches on Google. This technology allows you to search for something simply by pointing your camera at it. 

Google even gives you the power to superimpose three-dimensional objects you see in your search results directly onto your real world environment.

Experts believe that Google will introduce other augmented reality products in the future, including a pair of augmented reality smart glasses. There’s no telling when Google’s augmented reality glasses will be available, but their release could have a positive impact on the company’s stock price. 

MSFT

MSFT is the stock symbol for Microsoft, another leader in the augmented reality market. 

Microsoft has several different augmented reality products, including the HoloLens and HoloLens 2, which are mixed reality smart glasses. Right now, consumers cannot purchase a pair of HoloLens smart glasses. This product is only available for enterprise use and is widely used in education, health care, and manufacturing. 

For example, if a worker on an assembly line needs help putting a product together, they can put on a pair of HoloLens glasses to find the information they need. The glasses will project the information onto their surroundings so they can easily reference it while they work. They won’t need to ask someone for help or step off the assembly line to get the answers they need. 

Microsoft also secured an impressive $22 billion contract with the U.S. Army to deliver HoloLens smart glasses to soldiers in training. These glasses have helped Microsoft dominate the augmented reality market and will continue to do so in the years ahead.

VUZI

VUZI is the stock symbol for Vuzix, which is a company that designs, manufactures, sells, and markets wearable devices powered by augmented reality technology.

Vuzi’s M-Series augmented reality headsets are used primarily by workers in health care, manufacturing, and the military. However, the company has also created augmented reality headsets for consumers. The Blade AR device looks like a normal pair of glasses, but is equipped with augmented reality technology for hands-free mobile computing and connectivity. 

Vuzi is much smaller and not nearly as well known as other companies on this list. However, its revenue has exploded over the last several years due to the popularity of its augmented reality headsets. Some experts predict that this company will continue to grow as the demand for its products increases. 

AAPL

AAPL is the stock symbol for Apple, a company that has already invested millions of dollars in augmented reality.

Apple’s ARKit is a toolkit that allows developers of all skill levels to create augmented reality apps that can be sold in Apple’s App Store. The introduction of this toolkit made augmented reality far more accessible to consumers. Thanks to this ARKit, thousands of augmented reality experiences are now available at consumers’ fingertips. 

Experts believe that Apple is also hard at work developing two augmented reality devices. There are rumors that Apple will release an augmented reality headset followed closely by a pair of augmented reality smart glasses. The company has not commented on these rumors, so there’s no way of knowing if they are true and if so, when the products will be released. However, if Apple does release these products, the company could finally take this technology mainstream.

FB

FB, or Facebook, is going all in on augmented reality. According to a recent report, about 10,000 employees, or one-fifth of Facebook’s workforce, are currently working on projects related to virtual reality and augmented reality.

Right now, the company uses augmented reality to enhance the user experience on Facebook and Instagram. For example, Spark AR gives users the chance to learn how to use augmented reality technology to create one-of-a-kind effects that can be applied to photos or videos. You don’t need any prior experience with augmented reality technology to take advantage of this tool.

Facebook is also in the process of developing a number of augmented reality products, including a wearable wrist device and augmented reality smart glasses. Experts believe that Facebook will release its first pair of augmented reality smart glasses within the next several years, which could have a huge impact on its stock price. 

NTDOY

NTDOY is the stock symbol for Nintendo, which was one of the early players in the augmented reality industry. In fact, Nintendo collaborated with Niantic on the production and release of Pokemon Go, an augmented reality app that took the world by storm in 2016. Pokemon Go introduced millions of consumers to the power of augmented reality technology for the first time. 

This isn’t the only time that Nintendo ventured into the world of augmented reality. Nintendo 3DS users can access a wide range of augmented reality games simply by pointing the device’s camera at one of the specially designed AR cards. Pointing the camera at one of these cards will immediately launch a game on the device and bring the game’s characters to life in the user’s real world environment. 

In 2021, Nintendo announced that it would partner with Niantic again to develop even more augmented reality apps for consumers. Based on the success of Pokemon Go, it’s safe to assume that this partnership will produce popular and exciting augmented reality games for consumers of all ages. 

Some experts believe that Nintendo will eventually release a pair of augmented reality smart glasses that will allow users to experience classic Nintendo games in an entirely new way. It’s too early to predict whether this is true or not, but if it is, this device will undoubtedly shake up the augmented reality market.

These are some of the many companies that may see an increase in their stock price due to their investment in augmented reality technology.