The Best Virtual Try-On Apps for Shopify Stores in 2025

In 2025, Virtual Try-On (VTO) is no longer a futuristic gimmick reserved for luxury giants like Gucci or Sephora—it is a standard expectation for the modern online shopper.

The e-commerce landscape has shifted. With customer acquisition costs rising, the battle is no longer just about getting traffic; it's about conversion and retention. More importantly, it's about solving the "Returns Crisis." In fashion alone, return rates hover between 30% and 50%, primarily due to poor fit or "expectation vs. reality" mismatches.

For Shopify merchants, the question isn't "should I add virtual try-on?" but rather "which app is right for my specific product?"

The technology varies wildly between categories. A solution that works perfectly for sunglasses (rigid AR) will fail miserably for a silk dress (requires fluid physics).

We’ve tested and curated the best virtual try-on apps for Shopify in 2025, categorizing them by the specific problems they solve.

The Tech Landscape: AR vs. Generative AI

Before diving into the apps, it is crucial to understand why the market is splitting into two distinct technologies.

1. Traditional Augmented Reality (AR)

Best for: Hard Goods (Glasses, Jewelry, Shoes) AR works by tracking specific points on the body (like ears or fingers) and overlaying a 3D model on top of the camera feed. This works beautifully for rigid objects that don't change shape.

2. Generative AI (GenAI)

Best for: Soft Goods (Clothing) AR fails with clothes because clothes fold, wrinkle, and drape. If you just overlay a 3D t-shirt on a video, it looks like a paper doll cutout. Generative AI (the tech behind Genlook) analyzes the user's body shape and "hallucinates" the clothing onto them pixel-by-pixel, creating a hyper-realistic result that accounts for lighting and shadows.

1. Best for Clothing: Genlook

Category: Apparel, Fashion, Streetwear
Technology: Generative AI

When it comes to apparel, the "3D Model Bottleneck" has historically killed VTO projects. Creating a 3D asset for every SKU is expensive (approx. $100-$300 per item) and slow. Furthermore, traditional AR overlays often look cartoonish and fail to show how fabric actually sits on a body.

Genlook is the first Shopify-native solution to solve this using Generative AI. It bypasses the need for 3D models entirely.

• How it works: You upload your standard flat-lay or model photos. When a customer uploads their photo, the AI "inpaints" your product onto them.
• The "Wow" Factor: It handles complex textures (denim, silk, wool) and fit (oversized vs. tight) better than any 3D physics engine.
• Pros:
  • No 3D Models Needed: Saves thousands of dollars in asset creation.
  • High Realism: Shadows and lighting match the user's original photo.
  • Privacy First: Images are processed securely.
• Verdict: If you sell clothes and don't want to hire a 3D design team, Genlook is currently the only viable option for Shopify merchants.

Install genlook on shopify

2. Best for Eyewear: FittingBox

Category: Sunglasses, Optical Frames
Technology: Face Tracking AR

For glasses, accuracy is everything. If the virtual glasses look too big or too small, you risk a return. FittingBox is the veteran leader in this space. They have patented a "diminished reality" technology that can even remove the glasses a user is currently wearing in the webcam feed and replace them with the virtual frames.

• Why it wins: Their database of digitized frames is massive. If you sell branded eyewear (Ray-Ban, Oakley), they likely already have the 3D models ready for you to use.
• Pros:
  • Extremely accurate sizing (crucial for prescription glasses).
  • "Frame removal" technology.
• Cons:
  • Implementation can be pricier for smaller stores.
  • Strictly requires high-quality 3D assets if you sell custom/private label frames.

3. Best for Jewelry & Watches: Camweara

Category: Rings, Earrings, Necklaces, Watches
Technology: Hand & Ear Tracking AR

Jewelry is difficult to render because it depends on sparkle, light refraction, and precise placement. Camweara (and similar competitors like MirrAR) specializes in high-fidelity rendering that makes gold look like gold, not yellow plastic.

• Why it wins: Their hand-tracking technology is robust. It includes a "Ring Sizer" feature, which is a massive value-add for reducing returns on rings.
• Key Features:
  • Multi-Placement: Supports earrings, necklaces, and wristwear.
  • Stacking: Users can try on multiple rings or bracelets at once.
• Verdict: Essential for high-ticket jewelry items where trust is a major barrier to purchase.

4. Best for Shoes: Kivisense

Category: Sneakers, Heels, Boots
Technology: Foot Tracking AR

Footwear VTO was popularized by Snapchat and Gucci, but Kivisense has democratized it for Shopify stores. Their algorithm is lightweight and runs directly in the mobile browser (WebAR), meaning customers don't need to download a separate app to see the shoes on their feet.

• The Challenge: Feet move fast, and shoes are often occluded by pant legs. Kivisense's tracking is sticky and handles occlusion reasonably well.
• Best For: Sneaker drops and high-end footwear brands.
• Note: Like eyewear, this requires 3D models of your shoes (usually in .glb or .gltf format).

5. Best for Beauty: Banuba AI Virtual Try-On

Category: Makeup, Eyewear, Accessories Technology: AI Face Tracking & AR

For beauty and cosmetics brands, Banuba offers a highly accessible and powerful solution. Unlike some enterprise-only platforms, Banuba provides a range of plans suitable for different business sizes while maintaining top-tier tracking quality.

• Why it wins: Banuba combines makeup and eyewear capabilities in one robust plugin. It's designed for ease of use, working on almost any device with a camera without requiring a separate app download.
• Key Features:
  • Lifelike Cosmetics: Realistic rendering of textures like matte, gloss, and satin.
  • Dual Functionality: Covers both makeup and glasses, making it versatile for lifestyle brands.
  • Smart Analytics: Provides data on which items are tried on most frequently.
• Verdict: A versatile, high-performance option that brings the physical store experience online.

Install Banuba on Shopify

Comparison Table: Which App Do You Need?

How to Choose the Right App for Your Store

When selecting a virtual try-on app in 2025, keep these three strategic factors in mind:

1. Asset Management Capability

Do you have a budget for 3D modeling?

• If No and you sell clothes: Go with Genlook. You likely already have the product photos; that is all you need.
• If Yes: You can explore AR solutions, but be prepared for a lead time to digitize your catalog.

2. Integration Speed (App Embeds)

Ensure the app uses Shopify App Embeds. This is the modern standard for Shopify apps. It ensures the code is injected cleanly into your theme without leaving "ghost code" behind if you uninstall. All the apps listed above prioritize clean integration.

3. Mobile Performance

80% of VTO usage happens on mobile. Test the apps on a 3-year-old smartphone, not just the latest iPhone. The best apps (like Genlook and Kivisense) are optimized to load quickly even on 4G connections.

Conclusion

The era of "imagining" how a product looks is over. In 2025, customers expect to see it.

Implementing Virtual Try-On is one of the highest-ROI investments a merchant can make. It attacks your two biggest P&L levers simultaneously: it boosts Conversion Rate (CR) by giving customers confidence, and it slashes Return Rate by filtering out bad fits before they ship.

For fashion retailers ready to embrace the AI revolution without the headache of 3D modeling, Genlook offers the easiest entry point with the most realistic results.