Ways to reduce product returns + 10 ecommerce SDK

Returns have quietly become one of the biggest headaches in online shopping. Most of the time, it’s the same story: the size isn’t right, the product looks different than the photos, the quality feels off, or the item arrives damaged. And with fashion, especially, the numbers speak for themselves. 

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A big part of this trend is what’s known as bracketing: people order the same item in multiple sizes or colors, try everything at home, and return what doesn’t work. It’s convenient for shoppers, but it eats into margins and creates mountains of reverse-logistics headaches for businesses.

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The good news? Technology is finally catching up. Augmented reality (AR), 3D product viewers, and high-quality virtual photography are helping to lessen the gap between what we see on our screens and what arrives at the doorstep. Think of trying on a pair of glasses virtually, spinning a handbag in 360°, or placing a sofa in your living room before buying. These tools give customers a truer sense of fit, scale, and style.

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Retailers already using AR-powered try-ons are seeing unbelievable results: some report return reductions of 20–30%, along with better conversion rates and happier customers. More than just cutting returns, AR creates confidence, speeds up decisions, and adds an element of fun that keeps shoppers coming back.

AR in E-commerce

Augmented reality (AR) is becoming a very crucial tool in e-commerce, changing how people shop online and helping brands tackle the returns problem. Through virtual try-ons, 3D product viewers, and immersive preview tools, AR lets customers see, fit, and interact with products digitally so they have a much closer feel for what they’re buying. For example, shoppers can try on glasses via AR, spin furniture in 3D to inspect all sides, or preview how makeup shades look on their skin without leaving home.

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These experiences cut down uncertainty, which means more confident choices and fewer returns. Real numbers are showing a strong impact: many brands using AR/visualization tools report return rate reductions of 20-40%. Furniture retailers using accurate AR visuals see returns drop in that range, because customers have more reliable visuals and context. GlamAR claims to reduce returns by 40% with big brands like Foxtale and Hamleys on board.

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Another AR provider, MirrAR, claims reductions in return rates among its clients after implementing virtual try-on features. Meanwhile, brands that utilize AR or 3D viewers tend to see higher conversion rates and better engagement. A research report from BrandXR says products with AR/3D content can see up to ~94% higher conversion as compared to non-AR content.

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How AR helps reduce returns

Returns are usually the result of one thing: unmet expectations. The item that shows up at a customer’s door doesn’t look, fit, or feel the way they imagined while shopping online. Augmented reality helps close that gap by giving shoppers a far clearer, more accurate sense of the product before they hit “buy.” Here’s how:

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1. True-to-life visualization

Flat photos can only show so much. With AR and 3D models, customers can rotate, zoom, and view products in high detail. This extra information about the product reduces the “it didn’t look like the picture” problem.

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2. Size and fit confidence

AR try-ons for fashion, footwear, eyewear, and even furniture help customers actually understand the size, fit, and scale more accurately. Whether it’s visualizing how a sofa looks in a living room or how sneakers fit on feet, people get to make way more confident choices and are less likely to send items back.

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3. Realistic color

Lighting and screens can distort colors in product photos. AR-powered tools offer more accurate shade rendering for cosmetics, clothing, and accessories, so shoppers know what they’re getting. This is why beauty AR leaders like Perfect Corp. are widely used by major cosmetics brands.

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4. Interactive product testing

AR enables “test-driving” a product virtually, like, say, trying on jewelry, spinning a handbag in 360°, or previewing how makeup blends with skin tone. These fascinating experiences decrease the uncertainty that usually leads to bracketing and over-ordering.

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5. Reduced bracketing behavior

Many customers order multiple sizes or colors (known as bracketing) with the intention of returning most of them. AR tools, like those offered by MirrAR and GlamAR, give shoppers more clarity up front, which reduces the need to buy something again and again  “just in case.”

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6. Higher shopper confidence

Ultimately, AR builds trust. When customers feel they have explored the product properly, seen the details, tested the fit, and confirmed the shade, they’re more confident about their purchase. That confidence translates into lower returns and better brand loyalty.

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Top 10 AR SDKs 

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1. GlamAR

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GlamAR is an AR SDK designed to help beauty, fashion, and jewelry brands bring the in-store experience to your personal device screens. Instead of relying on flat photos and just taking random guesses on how something might look, shoppers can try products directly on themselves through a mobile app, website, or even in-store devices. Whether it’s a bold lipstick, a subtle eyeshadow, or a diamond ring, GlamAR uses AI-powered face tracking and 3D rendering to make items appear realistic, interactive, and true to life. The end result feels smooth and natural, no matter which device you’re on.

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The platform isn’t limited to just one product category. For beauty, you can test different shades of foundation, lipstick, blush, or eyeshadow. For jewelry, it covers everything from earrings to necklaces and rings, with the option to actually choose which finger to try a ring on. Items can be zoomed in, rotated, and positioned exactly how you’d wear them in real life. Shoppers also have flexibility in how they want to experience it: a live camera mode, trying it on pre-set models, or uploading their own picture to play around with styles.

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For developers and brands, GlamAR is equally appealing. It comes with very strong integration tools, customizable options, and continuous updates that make sure the experience stays modern and compatible with almost every platform. Many well-known companies trust it because it doesn’t just provide flashy tech. It helps reduce return rates, keeps customers engaged longer, and encourages higher conversions by making shopping both practical and fun.

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Features:

• User friendly: Everything loads quickly, is easy to navigate, and you don’t need to go through extra steps just to test it out.

• Wide range of products: From lipsticks and eyeshadows to rings, watches, home décor, and even skin analysis, GlamAR has a huge variety of virtual try-ons, making it useful for different types of brands.

• Realism: The AR rendering is sharp and detailed, so products don’t look like stickers pasted on your face or hands; they actually blend in naturally.

• 360 degree view: You can spin and rotate items in full 3D, which feels a lot like holding them in your hands at a store.

• Different ways to try: You get an option to use your live camera, play around with a model, or simply upload a picture of yourself, whichever feels most comfortable.

• Advanced features: Zoom in, move items around, or reposition them until you’re happy with how they sit. It gives you full control over the look.

• Split-screen comparison: The split-screen option is a game-changer. You can test two shades or styles at once and instantly see which one works better for you.

• Social media sharing: If you love how something looks, you can grab a screenshot right there and share it with friends on social media or just keep it for later before making a decision.

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2. Perfect Corp.

Perfect Corp. is one of the most well-known names in the AR space, especially in beauty and fashion. It’s the tech that powers virtual try-ons for big names like Estée Lauder, MAC, and NARS. What makes it stand out is how natural the whole experience feels. Whether you’re swiping through lipsticks on your phone, checking out earrings on your laptop, or experimenting with hair color in an in-store smart mirror, it adapts seamlessly. Its facial tracking is super precise, and the colors adjust to lighting and skin tones so you don’t get that awkward, fake-looking effect that some try-on tools have.

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The best part? Perfect Corp. isn’t just limited to makeup. It covers nail polish, hair colors, sunglasses, jewelry, and even apparel. Brands are so fond of it because it’s easy to integrate into websites, mobile apps, and even social media campaigns, so shoppers get to play around with it wherever they’re browsing. That not only reduces returns but also keeps people more engaged, exploring products for longer, and eventually adding more to their cart.

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What really keeps Perfect Corp. ahead of the game is how often they update and expand their features. They’ve added things like AI outfit swaps, real-time fit checks, and hyper-stable tracking that follows every smile, head tilt, or raised eyebrow. And for businesses, the whole thing is plug-and-play; you don’t need a massive 3D team to launch it. Their ready-made modules make it fast to set up and easy to scale across different platforms.

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Features:

• Natural tracking: The AR follows your movements even with big smiles, side angles, or even quick turns, without any lag, which makes it feel like the product is really there.

• Makeup that looks real: From foundation and blush to brows and eyeliner, the colors adapt to your skin tone and lighting so they don’t feel flat or cartoonish.

• More than makeup: Perfect Corp. also nails accessories like earrings, rings, watches, and even sunglasses, giving shoppers a complete styling experience.

• Works on almost all devices: You don’t have to be on just one platform. It works across web, mobile, in-store AR mirrors, and even social media, so customers can try products anywhere, anytime.

• Quick to launch: No need for months of long, exhausting processes; brands can get started using Perfect Corp.’s ready-to-use modules and APIs, which cut down setup time and effort dramatically.

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3. MirrAR

MirrAR is one of those AR platforms that’s really carved a niche for itself in the jewelry and fashion space. Unlike many generic AR providers, MirrAR started out with a focus on jewelry try-ons, which means its tech is tailored for the small details that matter, like how a necklace sits on your collarbone or how earrings move naturally when you tilt your head. That’s a huge deal because jewelry is tricky to showcase online. A ring or a chain can look gorgeous in a photo, but unless someone sees it on themselves, it’s hard to imagine how it will actually look and feel.

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What sets MirrAR apart is how it makes the onboarding process so easy for developers with both online and offline shopping. A shopper could be browsing a brand’s website and virtually try on a diamond ring in seconds, or walk into a physical store where smart mirrors and tablets bring the same AR experience to life. For retailers, that creates a consistent shopping journey across channels, which builds trust and makes customers far less likely to second-guess their purchase.

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Another strong point is that MirrAR is extremely user-friendly. Shoppers don’t need to download a separate app; it works directly from a brand’s website or store system. For businesses, MirrAR provides detailed insights on what items people are liking and how long they spend with each product, and what eventually converts into sales.

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MirrAR’s tech is also quite lightweight, so it doesn’t slow down websites or frustrate users with long loading times. And because it specializes in jewelry, the 3D rendering is super polished with sparkle, shine, and fine craftsmanship details coming through clearly, giving customers a near-real experience of how the product looks.

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Features:

• Personalization: MirrAR was built with rings, necklaces, and earrings in mind. That’s why the sparkle looks realistic, the sizes feel natural, and you actually get a sense of how the piece will sit on you.

• Works both online and in stores: You can try on a design at home through a website, or even walk into a store and see it on a smart mirror. Either way, the experience feels consistent, which is rare.

• No downloads, no extra steps: Nobody wants to install a new app just to see how earrings look. MirrAR works right on the brand’s site - click, allow camera, and you’re already trying on pieces.

• Gives brands real customer insights: Beyond just looking pretty, it shows retailers what people are drawn to, what they try on most, and what designs are actually converting into sales. That’s basically free market research built in.

• Fast and smooth experience: The jewelry 3D models load quickly without any lagging, so you do not have to stare at a loading circle all day.

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4. ModiFace

This platform has been around for years and has pretty much set the standard for virtual makeup try-ons. Think of it as the beauty industry’s favorite tool for letting customers experiment without the mess. Want to see how a bold red lipstick looks on you? Or whether a certain foundation shade matches your skin tone? ModiFace makes that possible in seconds, and the results are surprisingly close to real life.

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What makes it stand out is the attention to detail. It doesn’t just slap a lipstick filter on your face. That’s why so many big beauty brands (including giants like L’Oréal) trust it for their online and in-store experiences. You can test hundreds of products without opening a single tube, which is not just fun but also hygienic.

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The platform also extends beyond makeup. Some retailers use it for hair color virtual try-ons and even skincare analysis, so shoppers can see improvements like smoother skin or reduced wrinkles virtually. For customers, it’s like having a personal beauty studio right on their phone. And for brands, it means fewer disappointed buyers and fewer returns because people know what they’re getting before they hit “buy.”

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Features:

• Virtual makeup try-on: Clients can test different lipsticks, foundations, or eye looks right on their face, almost like trying them in front of a mirror but through the screen.

• AI skin analysis: The system scans the skin closely and points out things like dryness, fine lines, or uneven tone, then suggests care routines that actually match the person’s needs.

• Product comparison: Instead of guessing, people can switch between products side by side and instantly see which shade or formula suits them better.

• Before & after preview: A quick toggle shows how the skin or makeup will look after a product or treatment.

• Works across devices: Whether it’s on a phone, tablet, web browser, or even a smart mirror in a store, the setup runs smoothly without needing extra effort.

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5. Banuba

Banuba is one of those AR platforms that’s super versatile, but it really shines when it comes to beauty and accessories. A lot of smaller and mid-sized brands like it because it’s easy to plug into an existing store with no heavy tech lifting required. If you’ve ever been on a Shopify site and seen a smooth “try-on” option for glasses, lipsticks, or even earrings, there’s a good chance Banuba is working quietly in the background.

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What makes Banuba appealing is that it balances strong tech with accessibility. You don’t need a huge budget or a dedicated engineering team to make it work; it’s designed to integrate quickly. For customers, that means they can try on things instantly without a laggy or clunky experience. And because the AR feels natural (the shades look right, the accessories sit where they should), shoppers can make decisions faster and with more confidence.

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Banuba also leans on AI personalization. The system can pick up on face shape, skin tone, and other little details, tailoring recommendations so the experience feels less generic. For retailers, that’s gold because a personalized try-on almost always converts better than just showing a flat photo.

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Features:

• Refund rate: Banuba shows the shoppers exactly what they will get, which reduces the refund rate by 60%

• Range of product try-ons: Banuba offers a wide range of product try-ons, such as makeup, jewelry, hats, contact lenses, and so much more.

• Easy accessibility: Banuba is compatible with all devices that have a camera and an internet connection, making it easily accessible to a large number of people.

• Brands: It is trusted by major brands like Gucci, Schwarzkopf, Samsung, and many more.

• Multilingual customer care: This platform offers a 24/7 available multilingual customer care service to address complaints at any given time across the world.

• AR rendering quality: The virtual try-ons are very realistic.

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6. DeepAR

DeepAR isn’t as much of a household name as some of the big beauty-focused platforms, but it’s quietly one of the most powerful AR engines out there. What makes it different is the tech backbone, as it’s built to handle high-quality face tracking, body tracking, and 3D rendering, which means it works smoothly for everything from beauty try-ons to fashion accessories and even fun effects.

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For shoppers, this translates into an experience that actually feels “alive.” Glasses don’t float awkwardly; they sit on your face naturally and follow every tilt of your head. Hats and jewelry look proportionate and don’t glitch out if you move too fast. And for retailers, that realism matters a lot, because it helps customers trust what they see and make more confident purchases.

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DeepAR is also loved by developers because it’s flexible. Whether you’re building for iOS, Android, or the web, the SDK slots in easily, which is why so many apps use it behind the scenes. Brands don’t have to worry about their website slowing down or crashing; it’s optimized to run fast, even on regular smartphones.

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Features:

• Cross-platform compatibility: DeepAR runs smoothly on phones, tablets, and other devices.

• Advanced facial tracking: DeepAR keeps up with facial movements and expressions so treatments or products look natural and move with the client, giving a preview that feels real.

• Customizable AR effects: From showing how a facial might look to adding calming visuals, spas can easily adjust filters and overlays to match their brand and what their clients want.

• Skin analysis: DeepAR lets clients easily and accurately see what’s going on with their skin. And not just that, it also shows how treatments could help right away.

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7. PulpoAR

PulpoAR has carved out its space by focusing heavily on the beauty industry, especially for brands that want a smooth, ready-to-use AR solution. It’s often described as a “plug-and-play” platform because it doesn’t require months of development—retailers can set it up quickly and start giving shoppers a virtual try-on experience almost immediately.

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What makes PulpoAR interesting is how much attention it gives to the shopping journey itself. It’s not just about seeing lipstick on your lips or blush on your cheeks; it’s about making the entire buying process feel easy. For example, a shopper can test out shades, compare different looks side by side, and then add their favorite directly to the cart without leaving the try-on window. That smooth flow makes people more likely to commit to a purchase.

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Another very important point is PulpoAR’s ability to blend customization with engagement. It can analyze skin tone, detect facial features, and suggest the most suitable shades. So instead of having to do a ton of guesswork, customers feel like the brand is guiding them. That reassurance turns out to be a major help in reducing returns and building loyalty.

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Features:

• Makeup try-on: You can see how different makeup looks would actually appear on your own face. It feels like standing in front of a mirror, only digital.

• Customized AR makeup: The platform lets you adjust shades, intensity, and full looks so you can play around until you find what feels right for you.

• Accurate color matching: No more guessing games involved; what you see on your screen is what you’ll actually get at your doorstep. The lipstick or eyeshadow won’t suddenly look like a different shade when it arrives.

• Works everywhere: Whether you’re scrolling on your phone, shopping from a laptop, or even browsing on a tablet, the try-on works smoothly on all of them without any hassle.

• Quick response: The makeup doesn’t just sit there; it moves with you.

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8. OrboAI

Shopping for beauty products online can feel like a gamble; the lipstick shade looks perfect in the photo, but when it shows up, it’s completely off. That’s exactly the problem OrboAI steps in to solve. Instead of forcing you to guess, it lets you try products directly on your face, right from your browser, no downloads or complicated setup needed. It feels super light, smooth, and surprisingly real, almost like you’re testing things at a makeup counter, just without leaving home.

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What makes OrboAI stand out is how personal it feels. This platform doesn’t just throw random shades on your skin; it actually has the ability to analyze your tone and guide you toward colors that will look good on you. That little personal touch takes away the stress of “will this actually suit me?” and makes online shopping a lot more reassuring.

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Another plus is its flexibility. Whether you’re on your phone in bed, standing at a mall kiosk, or looking into a smart mirror in-store, the experience stays consistent and smooth. And unlike some try-ons that look cartoonish, OrboAI’s rendering feels polished and natural. So when you find a shade you like, you can trust it’ll look just as good in real life. For shoppers, that means less trial-and-error. For brands, it means way happier customers and fewer returns.

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Features: 

• Accurate results: OrboAI’s technology works on six skin types and ethnicities. It ensures high accuracy in shade detection and real-time application, providing consumers with a jitter‑free and authentic virtual makeup experience.

• Compatible solution: You can merge OrboAI’s virtual try-on technologies across multiple devices. It is available on smart mirrors, digital kiosks, websites, tablets, and mobile applications.

• Foundation try-on: OrboAI is highly accurate in analyzing consumers’ skin tones. 

• Makeup try-on: Consumers can try makeup in real-time using their devices' cameras. They can choose the product or shade. Also, they have an option to apply a preset look. OrboAI’s technology can apply the shade or look automatically and allow them to view how the products look on them. 

• Omnichannel deployment: Orbo AI is omnichannel-ready and easily integrates across websites, mobile apps, digital kiosks, and smart mirrors. This consequently increases your reach and widens your customer base

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9. Kivisense 

Buying shoes online is one of those hit-or-miss experiences; sometimes they fit like a dream, and other times they’re nothing like what you expected. Kivisense takes the guesswork out of it by letting you see how shoes actually look on your own feet before you order. Open your camera, point it down, and suddenly that pair of sneakers or heels is right there on you, moving naturally as you do. It feels closer to trying on shoes in a store than scrolling through static photos ever could.

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What really makes Kivisense stand out is how real it looks. The tracking is spot-on, so when you shift your foot or take a small step, the virtual shoe doesn’t glitch or lag; it follows every move seamlessly. That little bit of realism is what gives shoppers confidence. You’re not imagining how a shoe might look; you’re literally seeing it in place, in real time, which makes clicking “buy” a whole lot easier.

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And it’s not stopping at shoes. Kivisense has started bringing the same smooth try-on tech to other products like handbags, jewelry, and even clothing. No matter what device you’re on, phone, laptop, or tablet, it runs without fuss, making online shopping feel interactive, personal, and actually fun. For shoppers, that means fewer “oops” purchases. For brands, it means happier customers who keep coming back.

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Features:

• Try-on product range: Completely changing the game for online shopping by allowing users to virtually test them in real time.

• Social media: Allows users to capture their virtual experience through pictures and videos and instantly share them on social media, which is beneficial for brand presence.

• Quick and secure file transfers: Kivisense provides fast transfers and data security.

• Device compatibility: It functions optimally across all devices with a camera and internet connection, such as mobiles, laptops, tabs, etc.

• Accurate foot tracking: The shoes don’t just weirdly stick onto the feet; they move naturally with every step, so the preview feels extremely real instead of fake.

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10. KiXR

We’ve all been there; you order something online, only to realize when it arrives that it looks nothing like you imagined. KiXR is built to solve that exact problem. Instead of relying on static photos and size charts, it lets you bring products to life in 3D and AR. That means you can actually spin a chair around to check the design from every angle, or try on a jacket virtually to see how it sits on you. It turns online shopping into something you can experience, not just scroll through.

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What makes KiXR stand out is how natural it feels. The AR try-ons aren’t clunky or cartoonish; they’re smooth, realistic, and designed to blend right into your space. If you’re shopping for furniture, you can drop the item into your living room to check the fit and style. If it’s fashion, you can see the cut and movement of clothing before you buy. That extra bit of detail gives you confidence that what you’re choosing online is what you’ll actually enjoy in person.

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For brands, KiXR is a win-win. Customers spend more time exploring products when they can interact with them this way, which means higher chances of commitment. At the same time, it reduces any chances for surprises, which keeps return rates down. For shoppers, it feels like getting the best of both worlds - the convenience of buying from home with the confidence of an in-store try-on.

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Features:

• Visual try-on experience: It allows users to try on products and test them before buying.

• Features offered: Users can zoom in, zoom out, and adjust the product to enhance their understanding. 

• Multiple try-ons offered: KiXR offers a variety of product try-ons in addition to bracelets, including other categories like eyewear and shoes.

• Privacy: KiXR never stores user data. This solution is PII compliant, including GDPR.

• Works everywhere: This SDK works on all devices with a camera and internet, so you can play around with products anytime. 

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How I selected the software for E-commerce

Honestly, picking the right AR software for online shopping felt like trying to choose the perfect outfit; there are so many options, but only a few actually make you feel confident. I wanted tools that don't just pretend to be cool, but actually make shopping easier for customers and help brands avoid the headache of returns.

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I started by thinking about the shopper experience. Could someone realistically try on a ring, a pair of shoes, or a lipstick shade without leaving their house? Did the virtual try-on feel natural and accurate, or did it look like a flat overlay? Next, I looked at things from the brand’s side: how easy is it to add this software to a website or app? Also, it was very important to see if it works on all devices.

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Other things I kept in mind were personalization, cross-device support, and tracking tools because brands need to know what customers love and how they interact with products. Pricing and scalability also mattered a lot. In the end, I focused on software that made shopping fun, interactive, and confidence-boosting for both shoppers and retailers.

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Conclusion

Returns are one of the biggest headaches in online shopping. Shoppers get excited about a purchase, only to realize later that it doesn’t fit, the color is off, or it just doesn’t feel like what they expected. That’s where AR really plays a very big part. By letting customers try before they buy virtually, brands give people a chance to see exactly how products look, fit, and move. Imagine slipping on a ring, spinning a pair of shoes, or testing a lipstick shade in real time, all from your phone. When shoppers can see and interact with items like this, the guesswork disappears, and so do a lot of returns.

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AR doesn’t just make products look cool; it makes them understandable. Shoppers know exactly what to expect, and brands get fewer surprises in the returns department. Realistic 3D models, live previews, and customized recommendations mean people can make very confident decisions without leaving home. That confidence translates into happier shoppers, fewer exchanges, and higher conversion rates.

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At the end of the day, cutting down on returns is not just about saving money; it’s actually about earning your customers’ trust. AR helps shrink the gap between shopping online and trying things in a store, giving people a clear idea of what they’re actually getting. For brands, that means stress-free shopping, no surprises, and a lot more reliable shopping experience for everyone involved.