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irtual try-on technology is changing how Shopify stores sell products online. Instead of relying only on static product photos, shoppers can use their smartphone or computer camera to see how glasses, sunglasses, jewelry, makeup, and other products look on them before making a purchase.
For eyewear brands in particular, virtual try-on can make the online shopping experience more interactive and help customers evaluate frames before checkout. Shopify currently offers a growing selection of virtual try-on applications, while brands with more specialized requirements can build custom experiences using AR SDKs, WebAR technologies, and computer-vision frameworks.
For businesses working with Zeanex Technologies, the key question is not simply whether to use virtual try-on, but whether a Shopify app or a custom virtual try-on solution is the better fit for the business.
What Is Virtual Try-On for Shopify?
Virtual try-on allows customers to visualize a product on themselves through a camera-enabled device.
For an eyewear store, the typical experience works like this:
- A shopper opens a product page.
- They click a Virtual Try-On button.
- The browser requests camera access.
- Face-tracking technology identifies facial landmarks.
- The digital glasses model is positioned over the customer’s face.
- The model moves as the customer moves.
- The customer can compare different frames.
- They can then add the selected product to their Shopify cart.
Shopify describes virtual fitting rooms as experiences combining technologies such as AR, AI, and 3D visualization. For AR try-on, the device camera and tracking technology can map facial or body landmarks and place digital products into the camera view.
Shopify Virtual Try-On Apps
The fastest way to add virtual try-on to a Shopify store is usually through an existing application.
Shopify’s marketplace contains hundreds of applications in the broader 3D/AR/VR category, including applications specifically offering virtual try-on functionality.
An app generally handles much of the technical infrastructure for the merchant, including:
- AR rendering
- Face tracking
- Product/model management
- Shopify product integration
- Try-on interface
- Mobile browser compatibility
- Product selection
- Analytics or engagement features, depending on the app
For example, Banuba provides a Shopify-compatible virtual try-on plugin specifically for ecommerce and eyewear. Its glasses solution can run in the browser and provides real-time frame placement using face tracking.
Advantages of Shopify Apps
1. Faster implementation
A merchant can generally install and configure an existing application much faster than developing an AR system from scratch.
2. Lower initial development requirements
The business doesn’t need to build its own face-tracking engine, rendering system, and Shopify integration.
3. Easier product management
Many solutions provide dashboards or product-mapping tools for adding products to the virtual try-on experience.
4. Shopify compatibility
A purpose-built Shopify application can integrate directly into product pages and the Shopify shopping experience.
5. Easier testing
Businesses can test virtual try-on without committing to a large custom development project.
Limitations of Shopify Virtual Try-On Apps
Apps can be convenient, but they also come with limitations.
Limited customization
A merchant may have limited control over:
- User interface
- Try-on button placement
- Animation
- Product selection experience
- Custom branding
- Analytics
- Checkout workflows
Dependence on the app provider
The technology, infrastructure, updates, and pricing are controlled partly by the third-party provider.
Different apps support different technologies
Not every virtual try-on application offers the same type of experience. Some use real-time AR, while others use AI-generated images or other visualization methods.
For example, Shopify’s current marketplace includes both real-time AR and AI-based virtual try-on products, so merchants need to examine the underlying technology rather than choosing an application solely because it uses the term “virtual try-on.”
What Is a Custom Virtual Try-On Solution?
A custom solution is developed specifically for a brand or ecommerce business.
Instead of installing a ready-made Shopify application, a development team can integrate AR technology into the Shopify storefront and build the experience around the company’s requirements.
A custom system can include:
- Custom Shopify theme integration
- Custom product-page experience
- WebAR
- Real-time face tracking
- 3D eyewear models
- Custom frame selection
- Product variant synchronization
- Custom analytics
- AI recommendations
- Customer measurement features
- Custom branding
- Custom checkout integration
This approach provides significantly more control over the customer journey.
Zeanex Studio, for example, focuses on custom AR experiences and describes its approach as designing and building AR apps, WebAR experiences, AI features, and related systems around specific business requirements.
For eyewear businesses, you can also explore Zeanex Studio’s Virtual Try-On for Glasses to see how a specialized glasses try-on experience can be positioned as part of an ecommerce strategy.
Shopify Apps vs Custom Solutions
| Feature | Shopify App | Custom Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Implementation speed | Fast | Longer |
| Initial development | Lower | Higher |
| Custom UI | Usually limited | Extensive |
| Branding | Limited to moderate | Full control |
| Shopify integration | Usually built-in | Custom-built |
| Face tracking | Provider dependent | Select technology |
| 3D product integration | Provider dependent | Custom workflow |
| Analytics | Available depending on app | Custom analytics |
| AI integration | Limited/provider dependent | Can be customized |
| Product catalog control | Usually dashboard-based | Full control |
| Scalability | Depends on provider | Designed around business |
| Maintenance | Provider handles much of it | Development team maintains it |
| Ownership/control | Shared with provider | Greater control |
| Best for | Quick deployment | Specialized experiences |
Where Banuba Fits
Banuba is an example of technology that can support both relatively fast ecommerce deployment and deeper AR development.
Its Glasses Virtual Try-On solution is designed to let shoppers try eyewear through a browser or application. Banuba also offers a Shopify plugin, making it relevant to businesses that want to add AR without developing the entire face-tracking system themselves.
For a Shopify eyewear store, Banuba can therefore be considered when the objective is:
- Real-time glasses try-on
- Browser-based experiences
- Face tracking
- Eyewear visualization
- Faster Shopify deployment
A custom Zeanex implementation could potentially use an AR SDK such as Banuba as the underlying technology while customizing the surrounding Shopify experience.
DeepAR
DeepAR is another AR technology option commonly associated with real-time face tracking and interactive face experiences.
For ecommerce, face-tracking technology can be used as part of a virtual try-on architecture where digital products need to remain aligned with facial landmarks.
A custom Shopify implementation could potentially combine an AR SDK with:
- Shopify product data
- 3D glasses assets
- Product variants
- Custom UI
- Cart integration
This is different from simply installing an app because the development team controls how the AR experience interacts with the rest of the storefront.
ImagineAR
ImagineAR can be considered for businesses interested in branded AR experiences and interactive marketing campaigns.
For a Shopify store, a custom AR implementation could use AR technology as part of a larger customer journey rather than treating virtual try-on as an isolated button.
For example:
Shopify Product → AR Try-On → Product Information → Recommended Frames → Add to Cart
This type of workflow can be useful when a brand wants its AR experience to become part of its overall marketing and ecommerce strategy.
8th Wall for WebAR
8th Wall is particularly relevant when a business wants browser-based WebAR experiences.
WebAR can be attractive for ecommerce because customers don’t necessarily need to download a dedicated mobile application to access an AR experience.
A custom Shopify implementation can potentially use WebAR to create experiences such as:
- Camera-based product visualization
- Interactive eyewear experiences
- Product demonstrations
- Branded AR campaigns
- QR-code-to-AR experiences
This makes WebAR particularly interesting for brands that want to connect physical marketing campaigns with their Shopify store.
MediaPipe
MediaPipe is a computer-vision framework that can provide building blocks for tracking and landmark detection.
Unlike a ready-to-install Shopify virtual try-on application, MediaPipe is better viewed as a technology component that developers can incorporate into a larger custom solution.
For example:
Camera → MediaPipe face tracking → Landmark detection → Glasses positioning → 3D rendering → Shopify product/cart
This approach gives developers more control but also requires substantially more engineering work.
A custom solution may need to handle:
- Face detection
- Facial landmarks
- Pose estimation
- 3D model positioning
- Rendering
- Browser compatibility
- Performance optimization
- Shopify integration
ARKit
ARKit is Apple’s AR framework and is particularly relevant to native iOS applications.
For a Shopify website, ARKit isn’t simply a drop-in replacement for a Shopify virtual try-on app. It becomes more relevant when a business develops a dedicated iOS application or a native AR component.
A custom Zeanex solution could potentially use ARKit when the business wants:
- Native iPhone/iPad AR
- Advanced device capabilities
- High-quality tracking
- Dedicated mobile experiences
- Deeper integration with an iOS application
For a browser-first Shopify experience, however, a WebAR or web-compatible AR technology may be more appropriate.
ARCore
ARCore is Google’s platform for augmented reality on supported Android devices.
Like ARKit, it is more naturally suited to native Android AR development rather than being a complete Shopify virtual try-on application.
ARCore can become relevant when an eyewear company wants to create a dedicated Android application alongside its Shopify ecommerce store.
A possible architecture could be:
Shopify → Product API → Android AR application → ARCore → Virtual Try-On → Shopify checkout
This gives the business more control over the native mobile experience but also increases development requirements.
How Zeanex Technologies Can Combine These Technologies
One of the advantages of a custom solution is that businesses don’t necessarily have to choose between “an app” and “building everything from zero.”
A development company such as Zeanex Technologies can build a custom ecommerce experience around existing AR technologies.
For example:
Option 1: Shopify App
Shopify Store → Virtual Try-On App → Customer Camera → AR Experience
This is the simplest architecture.
Option 2: Custom WebAR
Shopify Store → Custom WebAR → Face Tracking → 3D Glasses → Shopify Cart
This provides greater control over the customer experience.
Option 3: Custom AR SDK
Shopify → Custom Frontend → Banuba/DeepAR/other SDK → Face Tracking → 3D Rendering → Shopify Cart
This combines an established AR engine with a customized ecommerce interface.
Option 4: Native Mobile Experience
Shopify → iOS/Android App → ARKit/ARCore → Virtual Try-On → Shopify Backend
This is useful when a brand wants a dedicated mobile application.
When Should You Choose a Shopify App?
A Shopify app may be appropriate when:
- You want to launch quickly.
- You have a limited development budget.
- Your requirements are relatively standard.
- You don’t need extensive customization.
- You want to test virtual try-on before making a larger investment.
- Your product catalog fits the app’s supported workflow.
For example, Banuba currently offers a Shopify plugin designed to simplify the deployment of virtual try-on, including eyewear experiences.
When Should You Choose a Custom Solution?
A custom solution becomes more relevant when:
- You have a large product catalog.
- Your brand requires a unique interface.
- You want complete control over the customer journey.
- You need custom analytics.
- You want AI recommendations.
- You want integration with other business systems.
- You need both WebAR and native mobile experiences.
- You want a branded AR experience rather than a generic app.
- You need specialized eyewear fitting or measurement functionality.
A custom solution can also evolve with the business instead of being limited to the features offered by one Shopify application.
How to Build a Custom Virtual Try-On for Shopify
A typical development process can be divided into several stages.
1. Define the Try-On Experience
First determine what customers should be able to do.
For example:
- Try glasses live through their camera
- Compare several frames
- Change colors
- View product information
- Measure approximate fit
- Save favorites
- Add products directly to cart
2. Prepare Product Assets
High-quality digital product assets are critical.
For eyewear, the development team may need:
- Frame images
- 3D models
- Dimensions
- Color information
- Product IDs
- Variant IDs
- Lens information
The quality and calibration of these assets directly affect the appearance of the virtual try-on.
3. Select the AR Technology
The technology can be selected according to the project.
Possible options include:
| Technology | Potential Role |
|---|---|
| Banuba | Commercial virtual try-on and face AR |
| DeepAR | Face tracking and AR experiences |
| ImagineAR | Branded/interactive AR experiences |
| 8th Wall | WebAR |
| MediaPipe | Computer vision and face landmarks |
| ARKit | Native iOS AR |
| ARCore | Native Android AR |
The choice depends on the required platform, tracking requirements, rendering approach, development resources, and level of customization.
4. Connect the Experience to Shopify
The AR experience then needs to communicate with the Shopify store.
Important integration points include:
- Products
- Variants
- Product IDs
- Pricing
- Inventory
- Add-to-cart actions
- Checkout
- Analytics
This ensures that virtual try-on isn’t just a visual demo—it becomes part of the actual purchasing journey.
5. Optimize for Mobile
Most ecommerce customers will access virtual try-on from smartphones.
Therefore, the experience should be optimized for:
- Fast loading
- Camera initialization
- Low-end devices
- Different screen sizes
- Lighting conditions
- Network performance
- Browser compatibility
Shopify’s guidance on virtual fitting rooms also emphasizes optimizing AR assets and the customer experience for mobile performance.
Cost Considerations
The cost difference between an app and a custom solution can be significant.
Shopify App
The typical cost structure may include:
- Monthly application subscription
- Usage limits
- Product limits
- Additional AR usage
- Premium features
The main advantage is that development costs can be relatively low.
Custom Solution
A custom project may involve:
- UX/UI design
- Shopify development
- AR development
- 3D modeling
- Face tracking
- Backend integration
- Testing
- Device optimization
- Maintenance
Therefore, the initial investment is usually higher, but the business gains greater control over the resulting platform.
Hybrid Approach: The Middle Ground
For many Shopify businesses, a hybrid approach can be practical.
Instead of developing every AR component from scratch, the business can use an established technology such as Banuba, DeepAR, MediaPipe, or another suitable framework while building a customized Shopify interface around it.
For example:
Shopify + Banuba + Custom Zeanex UI + Custom Product Integration
This approach can provide:
- Established AR technology
- Custom branding
- Shopify integration
- Custom product workflows
- Faster development than building computer vision from scratch
- More control than a standard Shopify app
Banuba itself describes its AR SDKs as off-the-shelf modules intended to add AR capabilities without requiring businesses to build computer vision systems from scratch.
Why Virtual Try-On Matters for Eyewear Stores
Eyewear is particularly suited to virtual try-on because customers want to know how a frame looks on their own face before purchasing.
Instead of viewing:
Product image → Add to Cart
the customer can experience:
Product image → Try It On → Camera → Select Frame → Compare → Add to Cart
This creates a more interactive product discovery experience.
A Shopify eyewear store can use virtual try-on to complement:
- Product photography
- Size information
- Frame measurements
- Customer reviews
- Product recommendations
- Discounts
- Bundles
- Cross-selling
Virtual try-on should therefore be considered part of the broader ecommerce experience rather than simply an AR feature.
Apps vs Custom Solutions: Key Decision Factors
Before choosing a solution, Shopify merchants should consider these questions:
Budget
How much can the business invest initially and monthly?
Speed
Does the store need virtual try-on immediately, or can development take several weeks or months?
Customization
Does the business require a completely branded experience?
Catalog
How many products and variants need to be supported?
Platform
Is the experience primarily web-based, or does the company also need iOS and Android apps?
Technology
Does the business require WebAR, native AR, AI try-on, or real-time face tracking?
Integration
Does virtual try-on need to connect with CRM, analytics, recommendation engines, or other systems?
Long-term strategy
Is virtual try-on simply an ecommerce feature, or will it become part of a larger AR/AI platform?
Conclusion
Virtual Try-On for Shopify can be implemented through either an existing Shopify app or a custom solution, and each approach serves different business requirements.
A Shopify app can provide a faster path to deployment with less development work. Custom development provides greater control over branding, UX, integrations, analytics, AR functionality, and future expansion.
Technologies such as Banuba, DeepAR, ImagineAR, 8th Wall, MediaPipe, ARKit, and ARCore can play different roles depending on whether the target experience is a Shopify website, WebAR experience, or native mobile application.
For eyewear brands, the most important consideration is not simply selecting an AR technology. It is designing an experience that connects AR try-on + product catalog + Shopify + customer experience + checkout into one seamless journey.
FAQs
1. What is virtual try-on for Shopify?
Virtual try-on for Shopify is an augmented reality experience that allows customers to use their device camera to see how products such as glasses or sunglasses look on them before purchasing. It can be implemented through a Shopify app or a custom AR solution.
2. Should I use a Shopify virtual try-on app or a custom solution?
A Shopify app is generally suitable for businesses that want a faster and simpler implementation. A custom solution is more suitable when a brand needs advanced customization, unique branding, custom integrations, specialized AR features, or greater control over the customer experience.
3. How does virtual glasses try-on work on Shopify?
A typical virtual glasses try-on uses the customer’s camera and face-tracking technology to identify facial landmarks. The system then positions a digital glasses model over the customer’s face and adjusts its position as they move.
4. Can Banuba be integrated with Shopify for virtual try-on?
Yes. Banuba provides virtual try-on technology and a Shopify plugin for ecommerce use cases. It can be used to create browser-based glasses try-on experiences without requiring a business to develop the entire AR tracking system from scratch.
5. Can DeepAR be used for a custom Shopify virtual try-on?
DeepAR can be used as part of a custom AR implementation involving face tracking and real-time camera experiences. Developers can integrate AR technology with a Shopify storefront to create a customized virtual try-on workflow.
6. What is the role of 8th Wall in Shopify virtual try-on?
8th Wall is a WebAR technology that can be used to create browser-based augmented reality experiences. A custom Shopify implementation can potentially use WebAR to allow customers to access AR experiences without installing a dedicated mobile application.
7. Can MediaPipe be used to build a custom virtual glasses try-on?
Yes. MediaPipe can provide computer-vision and facial-landmark capabilities that developers can use as part of a custom virtual try-on system. Additional development is required for product positioning, 3D rendering, Shopify integration, and the overall user experience.
8. What are ARKit and ARCore used for in virtual try-on?
ARKit is Apple’s AR framework for supported iOS devices, while ARCore provides augmented-reality capabilities for supported Android devices. They can be useful when a business wants to build native mobile AR applications alongside its Shopify store.
9. How much does a custom Shopify virtual try-on solution cost?
The cost depends on factors such as the AR technology selected, number of products, 3D asset requirements, Shopify integration, face tracking, custom UI, analytics, AI features, and whether WebAR or native applications are required. A ready-made Shopify app generally requires less initial development than a fully custom solution.
10. Can Zeanex Technologies create a custom virtual try-on for Shopify?
Yes. A custom Shopify virtual try-on can be designed around a brand’s product catalog, customer journey, and technical requirements. Technologies such as Banuba, DeepAR, ImagineAR, 8th Wall, MediaPipe, ARKit, and ARCore can be considered depending on the required platform and functionality. For more information, see Zeanex Studio’s Virtual Try-On for Glasses.
Zeanex Technologies can help businesses evaluate these approaches and develop AR experiences around their specific ecommerce requirements. For more information about glasses-focused virtual try-on, visit Zeanex Studio’s Virtual Try-On for Glasses.
Zeanex Technologies can help businesses develop and deploy customized AR and virtual try-on experiences for eyewear and other product categories.
Zeanex Studio’s virtual glasses try-on solution is built using the ImagineAR SDK, which provides the AR technology used to create the real-time try-on experience. Zeanex Studio adds the business layer around it, including the admin panel, product management, analytics, QR code sharing, and website integration.
Learn more about our Virtual Try-On for Glasses solution: