10 Best 3D AR ads by brands (with SDKs to create your own)

You know those ads users scroll past without a second thought? Yeah, brands are done with those. The new wave of advertising is about interaction and not interruption. That’s where 3D AR ads come in. These aren’t your typical banner ads or pop-ups. They let people explore a product in their space, on their phones, in real time; no apps, no downloads, just a link or a QR code.

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One second you’re scanning a soda can, and the next there’s a 3D bottle floating in your kitchen. It’s weirdly cool and surprisingly effective. Big brands have already jumped in. Think Burger King letting you roast a McDonald’s ad in AR. Or Adidas is showing off new sneakers that you can rotate and zoom in on in your browser.

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These experiences stick because people don’t just watch; instead, they do something. And the best part? You don’t need a massive tech team to build these anymore. Platforms like GlamAR, 8th Wall, Zappiar, and Banuba make it easy to launch browser-based AR campaigns that are smooth, lightweight, and fun to use.

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What are 3D AR ads? 

If you’ve ever scanned a QR code and suddenly seen a sneaker floating in your room or a soda bottle dancing on your table, you’ve already seen 3D AR ads in action. These aren’t ordinary digital ads. They’re built to live inside your camera and blend into your physical surroundings. 3D AR ads use augmented reality to show interactive 3D content through your phone.

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You don’t need to download an app or install anything. Just click a link or scan a code, and the ad opens in your browser. You’re instantly inside the experience. Unlike regular ads that talk at you, 3D AR ads invite you to explore, move around, tap, rotate, or even play a mini-game. And because they feel like something you can touch, they stick in your mind longer.

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How AR Ads works

• User sees a trigger: It could be a QR code on a product, a swipe-up link in an Instagram story, or a button on a website. As soon as they tap or scan it, the AR experience opens in their browser. No downloads, no delay.

• Camera opens in the browser: The phone’s camera activates right away. Users don’t leave the browser or switch apps. It’s all running in one smooth window.

• 3D object appears in the real world: The AR content anchors to a surface around it, like a desk, floor, or packaging. It might be a sneaker, a soda can, or a branded mascot. It looks like it’s really there.

• Users can move around it: They can walk closer, step back, tilt their phone, or rotate the object. Everything responds instantly, so the interaction feels natural.

• Tap actions make it interactive: Some experiences let users tap to trigger effects. Others include little games or clickable hotspots that open more info, offers, or links.

• It’s built using specialized AR tools: Most brands don’t build these from the ground up. They rely on platforms like GlamAR or Zappar to put everything together.

• Users don’t need to download anything: It opens right in the mobile browser. Whether it’s a QR code on packaging or a swipe-up on social, the ad loads instantly. There are no extra steps, which helps keep people engaged from the moment they tap.

• The experience feels grounded: Brands take time to make sure the object doesn’t feel out of place. With natural shadows, accurate reflections, and smooth animations, it blends into your environment.

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Why brands are using 3D AR ads

• 3D AR ads feel real and fun: They’re not just about looking high-tech. They work because they feel natural, surprising, and actually enjoyable. At a time when people are swiping past static posts, these ads give them a reason to pause and play.

• They grab attention right away: People scroll fast, but when a sneaker drops into your room or a soda can starts spinning on your desk, you stop. These kinds of ads feel different, and that pause is what brands want.

• They create a shareable moment: People like to show things that feel new. If the AR experience is fun, they’ll take a screenshot or share it with a friend.

• They don’t need an app to work: Everything happens in the browser. You tap a link or scan a code, and the camera opens. No downloads, no signup, no delay. It works on most smartphones instantly.

• They help tell a better story: A product page can only show so much.Instead of just reading about a feature or seeing it in a flat photo, people can actually interact with the product.

• It drives stronger engagement: When someone spends time exploring a product in AR, they’re doing more than just looking. That extra moment of interaction often leads to more clicks, longer time on page and in many cases, higher conversions. It’s not just fun, it performs better too.

• They’re easier to launch than you’d expect: Platforms like GlamAR, 8th Wall, Banuba, and Zappar already have tools in place. Brands just upload their 3D models, set the interactions, and share a link. The tech side is handled, so teams can focus on the creative part.

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Best brand examples of 3D AR ads

1. Burger King

When Burger King launched its “Burn That Ad” campaign, it didn’t just try something new. It invited users to become part of the brand’s playful rivalry with its competitors. All you had to do was scan a print ad for McDonald's or any other fast food chain. And then, right there on your screen, that ad would go up in virtual flames. It felt dramatic, a little rebellious, and completely on-brand for Burger King.

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After the fire faded, a fresh Burger King offer appeared on your screen, usually a coupon for a free Whopper. You could redeem it straight from the app. It turned the act of scanning an ad into a full experience. More than anything, it showed what makes a 3D AR ad actually work.

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It wasn’t just about cool visuals. The ad gave people a reason to try it, a reason to come back, and a story to tell. It boosted app downloads, got people posting on social media, and reminded everyone that Burger King isn’t afraid to poke fun at the competition. And that made it fun to be part of.

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2. Nike

Nike didn’t just use 3D AR ads to show off sneakers. They used them to create hype, tell a story, and give fans a reason to pause mid-scroll. In one campaign, Nike let users experience a new shoe drop in a completely different way. Instead of launching with a static image, they pushed out a 3D interactive ad. The moment someone tapped the link, a sneaker appeared on the floor in front of them, scaled to life size. You could move around it, tilt your phone, and see every detail.

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What set it apart was how close it felt. Instead of watching a promo video or swiping through photos, you were actually seeing the sneaker show up in your own room. It wasn’t just another ad floating through your feed. No app, no signup, no waitlist. Just a shareable link and a phone camera.

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It helped Nike stand out in a crowded launch season. More importantly, it gave their fans something to engage with and not just look at. The brand understood that product storytelling isn’t just about showing features anymore. It’s about putting the product into your life, before you even buy it.

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3. Pepsi

Pepsi’s 3D AR campaign took a familiar setting and turned it into something far more engaging. Instead of simply walking past a billboard, people could scan it with their phones and watch the scene come alive. A footballer didn’t just appear; he burst through the frame, kicked a digital ball across the screen, and moved as though he were stepping into the viewer’s world.

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What made the experience memorable was how well it merged with the real surroundings. The animation wasn’t just overlaid. People paused, pulled out their phones, and interacted with it like something was actually happening around them. It became more than just a campaign. It turned into a moment worth sharing which is exactly what the company wanted.

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The campaign worked because it didn’t just tell you to get excited. It gave you a reason to pause and interact. That brief moment of surprise, created through a browser-based AR ad, turned a normal environment into something people wanted to capture and pass on. For Pepsi, it wasn’t just about showing a product. It was about showing up in someone’s day in a way they didn’t see coming.

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4. Toyota

Toyota found a way to bring the car showroom experience directly to people’s phones. In one campaign, they let users view a full 3D model of the Toyota Corolla using just their camera. No app was needed. The moment someone tapped the link, the car appeared in their space. People could walk around it, look at the paint details, and see the interior as if they were standing right next to it.

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It didn’t feel like a demo. It felt like a personal preview. The experience gave people time to explore on their own, without anyone selling to them. It worked in small spaces too. Whether someone was in a living room or outside in their driveway, the car anchored right where they stood. That simplicity made it feel approachable.

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This was more than just showing a product. Toyota gave potential buyers a chance to see how the car would fit into their own life. And that kind of experience sticks, especially when there’s no friction, no pressure, and no need to visit a showroom just to get a feel for the car.

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5. Heinz

Heinz used 3D AR ads to bring a little fun to something familiar. In one campaign, users could scan a QR code on the bottle or a digital poster. Within seconds, their camera opened, and a 3D Heinz ketchup bottle appeared in their space. You’d see it right there on your table, and it felt like it was actually there.

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The experience didn’t ask you to do much. No app, no sign-up, no extra loading time. Just tap, scan, and watch it appear. And that simplicity made all the difference. Heinz didn’t try to make you shop immediately. Instead, they reminded people of something they already liked and made it feel fresh again.

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The moment didn’t need to be loud or dramatic to get your attention. It was simple, but that’s exactly why it worked. When something as familiar as a ketchup bottle shows up on your table in 3D, it makes you pause for a second. That kind of interaction doesn’t try to sell; instead, it just sticks with you.

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6. Adidas

Adidas found a way to make product discovery feel more personal. In one of their 3D AR campaigns, users could scan a code or tap a link and instantly bring the newest sneaker drop into their own environment. The experience opened directly in the browser, and within seconds, the product appeared in the real world, ready to be explored through the phone’s camera. Whether they were at home or on the go, the product became part of their environment.

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Everything about the interaction felt easy. The ad launched right in the browser, with no need to download an app or follow extra steps. Once the sneaker appeared, users could walk around it, tilt their phones, and get a clear look at every detail from different angles. The textures, colors, and proportions all came through clearly. It didn’t feel like a gimmick. It felt like a preview made for them.

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What made it work was the way it respected the user’s attention. There were no pop-ups or loud messages. Just the product, placed in the space, ready to explore. It gave people a chance to connect with it in a quiet and direct way. That kind of simplicity can be more effective than traditional promotion, especially when it helps someone picture the product in their own life.

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7. Red Bull

Red Bull has always built its campaigns around energy, motion, and bold ideas. When it introduced 3D AR advertising, it kept that same creative spirit. Instead of a static ad, the brand offered users a way to see a virtual Red Bull can appear in their real surroundings. The moment began with a simple scan or click. Without needing to install an app, users could instantly view the experience through their mobile browser.

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In some versions, the can opened with an animated pull tab and released virtual bubbles that floated upward. These small touches gave the impression of holding the product, not just watching it. Red Bull did not overcomplicate the experience. There were no instructions or extra buttons. The user could move around, adjust their angle, and take it in as they pleased.

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That quiet sense of control made the moment feel more natural. For a brand whose audience expects something different, this kind of interactivity delivered. It was quick to access, easy to share, and offered just enough surprise to leave a lasting impression.

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8. Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola used 3D AR advertising to bring a new kind of visibility to one of the world’s most recognizable products. Instead of introducing a new item, the campaign focused on reintroducing the classic Coke bottle in a more interactive way. The idea was simple. A scan or a tap opened the experience directly in the browser, where users could see the product appear in their own space using just their phone camera.

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In some versions, subtle audio details were added too, like the quiet fizz of a just-opened soda, which made the experience feel even more real and immersive. There were no extra complications. It was just the product, placed clearly and realistically in view. What made the campaign stand out was its restraint.

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Coca-Cola didn’t try to overengineer the experience. It let the object speak for itself, giving people a few seconds to reconnect with something familiar. By doing that, the ad created a small moment of focus in a space where people usually scroll past quickly. This wasn’t about launching something new. It was about reminding people what the product feels like. And in that sense, the ad didn’t need to be loud to be effective.

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9. Estée Lauder

Estée Lauder approached 3D AR advertising with a clear goal: to help people see their products as part of their daily rituals, not just items on a shelf. In one of their skincare campaigns, users could access an AR experience through a quick link or QR code. The product, whether a serum bottle or compact foundation, would appear in their own space within seconds, with no downloads or delays.

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What made the experience effective was its quiet precision. The virtual models were built to match the real packaging down to fine details like surface texture and how light played across the edges. It didn’t try to overwhelm. Instead, it invited users to slow down and observe. Whether someone placed the item on a dresser or viewed it against a clean table surface, it felt realistic without feeling forced.

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For a luxury skincare brand, this kind of presence matters. Rather than delivering a loud campaign, Estée Lauder allowed the product to exist in the user’s world and speak for itself. That created a more reflective moment. People weren’t just looking; they also were imagining. And that shift made all the difference.

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10. Pizza Hut

Pizza Hut approached 3D AR advertising with a focus on simplicity. The goal wasn’t to create a showy tech moment. It was to make their most familiar item feel more real before someone placed an order. Using a mobile browser, customers could scan a code or tap a link and instantly view a pizza on their own table, counter, or wherever they were sitting.

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There was no app to download, and the setup didn’t require much. What loaded was a realistic 3D model of one of their signature pizzas. You could move your phone to see it from different angles, zoom in, and picture it in your space. The crust had texture. The cheese looked freshly melted. Everything about it was built to feel close to the real thing. What made the experience work was its timing.

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Right when someone was deciding what to eat, the AR experience added just enough presence to nudge the decision. It wasn’t loud or overdesigned. It felt like a natural preview that fit the mood of the moment. This campaign didn’t try to reinvent what Pizza Hut sells. It simply made the product more visible and more personal, and in doing so, helped people move from interest to action without second-guessing.

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Best 3D AR AD SDKs

1. GlamAR

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GlamAR enables brands to create fully immersive 3D shopping experiences. It is built for brands that want to turn everyday product moments into something people can actually interact with. Instead of showing a flat image or looping video, it lets you place a full 3D version of your product right in the customer’s space. It runs straight in the browser, which means people don’t need to download anything or leave the site. The result feels more personal and a lot more real than a typical ad.

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For brands getting started, the setup is quick. You can customize how it looks, set animations, and link it to a QR code or direct URL. The experience opens with just a tap. Once live, the platform tracks how users interact with it and gives insights you can actually use. It also plays nicely with your current campaigns, so you can launch it across web, social, or retail. GlamAR claims to convert 70% more customers using 3D AR ads. You can contact the GlamAR team to get a demo.

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2. Banuba 

Banuba’s WebAR SDK is well-known in the world of immersive beauty and retail, but its 3D placement capabilities extend far beyond makeup. This SDK gives brands a wide set of tools to build interactive AR ads that look good and respond quickly. The quality of detail in product models is strong, and Banuba handles real-world lighting and movement well, which makes the experience feel fluid instead of staged.

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For businesses looking to try it, Banuba provides a full developer dashboard and documentation, but you don’t need to code everything from scratch. You can upload assets, test real-time placement, and publish a live campaign using WebAR links. The interface is built for teams that want control but not complexity. You can tweak positioning, add branding, and monitor performance once the ad is live. It works well for product-focused campaigns where realism and interaction are both priorities.

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3. Onirix

Onirix is designed for brands and teams that want a little more creative control over their AR experiences. It’s a browser-based AR SDK that supports full 3D model placement, animation, and interactivity. The real difference with Onirix is its visual editor. You can build, customize, and test experiences in real time, even if you don’t come from a developer background.

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For brands looking to build something a little more dynamic, like clickable product parts or step-by-step animations, it’s a strong option. Onirix makes it easier for brands to turn their 3D product models into interactive AR ads. Once uploaded, these models can be placed directly into a real-world environment using surface tracking.

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From there, you can add small touches like motion, lighting effects, or tap-to-learn moments that help guide the viewer’s attention. Since everything runs inside the browser, there’s no need for an app, making it simple to share across different platforms or campaigns.

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4. echo3D

echo3D is a cloud platform made to simplify how 3D content is managed and delivered. Instead of storing large files locally or setting up custom infrastructure, teams can use echo3D to host, organize, and stream their 3D assets from a single place. The system handles file conversions, compresses heavy models, and ensures content is compatible with mobile and web-based AR experiences.

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It is especially useful when the same asset needs to be used across different devices or campaigns. If a brand is launching a 3D AR ad and wants to avoid the overhead of technical setup, echo3D gives them a straightforward way to get started. Developers can connect their models to WebAR environments, link content to QR codes, or update product visuals without reworking the entire project.

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The platform also includes analytics, version control, and support for custom interactions. For marketing teams that want flexibility and speed, echo3D keeps the backend clean so they can focus on the creative side.

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5. Vuforia

Vuforia is a well-established platform that allows businesses to build AR experiences that are stable, responsive, and accurate. It is often used in campaigns where precise tracking is essential. For example, if a brand wants a 3D product to appear on top of printed packaging or signage, Vuforia makes sure it stays fixed in place as the camera moves.

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It supports image recognition, surface tracking, and object detection, all of which help the AR content feel more reliable and polished. For brands creating 3D AR ads, Vuforia offers a technical foundation that handles positioning and movement smoothly. It is most useful when the experience is tied to a real-world surface or printed visual, like a brochure, product box, or even a billboard.

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Once the experience is ready, users can view and interact with the 3D content straight through their phone's camera. There is no need to install an app, which keeps the process quick and accessible. For teams that care about precise tracking and consistency across devices, Vuforia delivers reliable results.

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How did I evaluate these SDKs

The goal was to figure out which platforms actually help brands run 3D AR ads without slowing them down. I started by looking at how easy it is to get started. I looked for platforms that let me test the product without signing up or getting on a call. If there were a working demo or a simple example to try, that helped. Anything that felt like it needed a developer just to see how it worked didn’t feel practical for a fast-moving team.

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Once inside, I paid attention to how the experience behaved. If the ad opened quickly, stayed in place while I moved around, and didn’t stutter or glitch, that stood out. I didn’t expect it to be perfect, but just smooth enough that a real customer wouldn’t think twice. I tested the same experience on different devices to see if the quality stayed the same.

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If it glitched, lagged, or took too long to appear, it didn’t make the cut. Finally, I looked at how easy it would be to update a live ad. Sometimes campaigns change midway, and brands need to swap models or change messaging. If the SDK made that part simple with a clean backend or cloud tools, it made a big difference.

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What makes a 3D AR ad SDK stand out?

• Opens in the browser: The experience should launch with a simple link or scan. No one wants to download an app just to view an ad. If it opens right away, more people stick around to try it.
  

• Works across most devices: The ad should feel the same whether someone is on a newer iPhone or an older Android. Smooth tracking, quick load time, and no crashing.
  

• The product should stay grounded in the space: If someone moves their phone around, the object should still feel like it’s sitting exactly where it started. When the tracking is strong, it stops feeling like a floating graphic and starts feeling like something real.

• Small edits shouldn’t take a full rebuild: Good tools make that process simple. You can adjust what you need without having to start over or call in developers every time.
  

• Looks polished: The visual quality matters. The object should have detail, lighting should feel natural, and the whole thing should look clean.

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Conclusion

3D AR ads have quietly become one of the most effective ways to get attention in a crowded digital space. They don’t interrupt; instead, they invite. When a product shows up right in someone’s space, it feels personal. It creates a small moment of surprise, and that moment is often what gets remembered long after the scroll.

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More brands are using this format not just for the wow factor, but because it actually performs. People spend more time exploring, they’re more likely to share, and the product sticks in their mind. It works well whether you’re launching a new collection or just trying to reintroduce something familiar.

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And the best part is that it’s no longer hard to pull off. With platforms like GlamAR, Banuba, echo3D, and others, teams don’t need to build from scratch. The tools are already in place. You upload your assets, set the scene, and launch. It’s fast, reliable, and works across devices without asking users to download anything.