Before we get into how augmented reality can benefit business, let’s talk about the history of AR.

You might think that augmented reality is a new concept that came forward just a few years ago, but the reality is that AR has been around since the 1960s, when Ivan Sutherland, who is the founder of AR-powered glasses and headsets, created a head-mounted display called “Sword of Damocles,” at the University of Salt Lake City.

The Sword of Damocles was the first AR prototype created in 1968, which would allow users to view images in 3D.

Shocking that AR has been around for such a long time, right?

This head-mounted reality display system was just a prototype, which was too bulky for the technology of that time.

The term augmented reality was coined by Tom Caudell in 1990, who was a Boeing researcher, and this system came to reality in 1992, when a researcher in the USAF Armstrong’s Research Lab created ‘Virtual Fixtures’, which was one of the first fully functional augmented reality systems.

Fast forward to 2025, and AR is one of the most talked-about technologies. It is being used in almost every industry by many businesses, either to enhance customer experiences or branding.

According to Fortune Business Insights, the global augmented reality market size is projected to be USD 1,716.37 billion by 2032.

So, what does this mean for your business?

Explore how AR apps for business can be a game-changer for you, how AR can benefit businesses, how you can use AR for enhancing user experience, and how you can use AR technology for business growth.

Top AR for Business Use Cases and Applications

Now that you have an idea about the buzz around AR for business, let’s have a look at some use cases of AR:

1. Trying Before Buying

Nowadays, a business can not thrive alone on great products; it is important to provide the customers with amazing experiences, so shopping can be convenient and fun for them.

That’s exactly what AR in stores can do.

AR stores will allow your customers to easily visualize how the products are going to look in a particular setting before they buy them with the help of virtual-try-on apps.

Imagine if you could just skip standing in a long line to try on one piece of clothing; instead, you could just try it on through a custom AR app and make your decision. It is convenient, right?

This is what the benefits of AR in retail are. Businesses can satisfy their customers with convenience and better shopping experiences, which then leads to a boost in sales and customer loyalty.

2. Immersive E-Learning

AR apps for business are not only beneficial for retail or shopping businesses, but they can also be advantageous for businesses in the education sector or even general businesses that wish to educate and train their employees effectively.

This is because, with AR, businesses can make learning fun and interactive for students. When learners get interactive and short learning sessions, their learning outcomes automatically improve, and also make them tech-savvy.

3. Unique Customer Experiences

Recently, every brand is looking to have a differentiator, and providing your customers with unique experiences with the help of AR can help you achieve that. Whether you offer virtual product demos, immersive marketing campaigns, or interactive brand activations, AR will help you build customer engagement that will last long-term.

This is because customers tend to view brands by the experiences they have with them, and brands can easily create unique customer experiences with AR that they won’t stop talking about.

4. Field Simulations and Maintenance

AR in the automotive and aerospace industries allows the training of field workers and technicians virtually before working on actual equipment. They are able to visualize complicated systems, go through guided maintenance procedures, and learn quickly, as well, minimizing risks and expenses.

This form of practical simulation assists companies in expanding skills effectively and securely.

How AR Apps for Business are Beneficial

AR is not just a cool factor to include in your business, but it can actually drive growth for your business. Let’s have a look at the benefits of AR apps for business.

1. Staying Competitive

AR is an emerging technology when it comes to businesses adopting it. If you integrate AR into your business, there is a high chance of you gaining a competitive advantage and being ahead in your industry. Brands that want to stay ahead are already using AR to provide their customers with personalized experiences to stay relatable.

You, as a business, can also use AR to measure the success of your marketing campaigns, as it can provide a detailed view of the metrics and statistics.

2. Better Spending

Every business wishes to cut its costs but still boost its revenue, and AR can help you achieve exactly that.

Companies can use AR-powered training and simulations to cut down on travel and equipment costs. Employees can learn and practice virtually, which will save time and money while improving performance. It’s basically innovation that pays off.

3. Bigger Returns and Better Results

Investing in AR will help you boost your ROI. Here’s how:

• Customers make faster decisions after visualizing products.

• Post-purchase satisfaction improves thanks to accurate expectations.

• Teams become more efficient and reduce costly mistakes.

4. Streamlined Operations

AR can help overlay live data on real-world environments, which can be used in sectors like manufacturing, construction, and engineering, as it will help workers in spotting bottlenecks, make the process of fixing quicker, and also optimize workflows.

It can help technicians in following digital manuals on-screen instead of going through pages, and architects can explore life-sized 3D models before construction starts. That’s how AR can benefit businesses.

Common Challenges in AR Adoption for Businesses

There is no doubt in the fact that AR apps for business can be very beneficial, but they also come with their own set of challenges when adoption is in question. Let’s have a look at some common challenges you can face while adopting AR.

1. User Adoption

You might think that users get excited when they are presented with a different technology or, in general, something new.

And it is true to some extent.

Users do get excited when they get to experience new digital features, but the downside of this is that not every user is tech-savvy; some might have a problem adopting a new feature. Hence, it is really important to analyze your target audience before diving straight into adding AR.

2. Building the Right Content

AR is a technology that thrives on visuals like 3D assets, animations, real-world integrations, etc. But the challenge is that creating this type of content takes a lot of time, money, and special skills.

It not only includes creating a prototype, but it also involves a lot of creative skills; an entire ecosystem of interactive elements is made that can sync and align perfectly with the goals of the brand.

What you can do is you can start with a system that is scalable, and if you need to adopt this system fast, then you can use modular 3D models or pre-existing libraries. As the AR platform will grow, you can slowly move forward and add custom-built environments that will offer deeper immersion and stronger storytelling.

3. Ensuring Data Privacy and Security

You will need to collect a lot of user data and information to provide them with better personalized experiences. The data includes user location, device data, and interaction patterns.

But let us tell you that with great data comes great responsibility.

Nowadays, users expect more than just a good app; they also want transparency about what data of theirs is being collected and how it’s being used.

You will have to make sure that your AR app provides users with strong encryption, consent-based data tracking, and regular security audits. You’ll have to keep in mind that your goals regarding security are not going to be only compliance but also customer trust, because the more users feel safe about your AR app, the more they will use it.

4. Tackling Technical Complexity

What makes the AR experience good enough is the technical efforts behind it. It takes a lot of special skills to create an AR product, including real-time rendering and motion tracking, to multi-device compatibility. The development process of these types of systems is not easy; you will need the help of skilled developers and designers with proven expertise in AR frameworks like ARKit, ARCore, or Unity.

Testing your system is also an important factor that you’ll have to consider when creating AR apps for business.

The AR apps must be able to perform smoothly on various devices, lighting conditions, and user environments. If it glitches or operates slowly, it will ruin the experience of the users. Keep a good budget for testing, as it is the only part where you can make sure your AR app is running smoothly and can be adopted easily.

Impact of AR Apps on Different Industries

Thinking if the benefits of AR apps for business are limited only to one sector?

Well, it’s not true!

AR can be beneficial for almost every industry. Let’s have a look at the impact of AR for businesses in various sectors.

1. Healthcare

AR apps can be used for many things in the healthcare industry. For example, doctors can use AR to visualize organs and get early guidance for surgeries. Similarly, medical students can get a better learning experience with the help of AR in education; they can learn about complex procedures through interactive and immersive lectures.

2. Gaming and Entertainment

The adoption of AR gaming apps has increased since games like Pokémon Go have been launched. Players can merge real and virtual environments, attend virtual concerts, and engage with characters in their living rooms. These are the features of AR games that excite the players a lot and the reason behind their high demand.

3. Education

Learning has changed a lot in the past few years. The attention span of students is very low nowadays; they can’t sit through long and boring lectures. AR can easily change the game for students by making lectures interactive and short. Teachers can use AR apps like Assemblr EDU to turn lessons into interactive 3D experiences, so students can get practical learning.

4. Real Estate

AR helps potential buyers explore properties virtually. Apps like RealAR enable developers to display floor plans and visualize interiors. It even helps homebuyers see how their furniture would fit before they move in.

And if you’re wondering what is real estate mortgage is in the Philippines, AR can simplify that too, by visualizing mortgage payment breakdowns, amortization schedules, or interest models in a more intuitive, visual format.

5. E-Commerce

We talked about how AR can completely change the shopping experience for customers, depicting how AR is leading a positive shift for e-commerce businesses. It’s a personalized, convenient, and immersive experience that boosts both confidence and conversion rates.

A Quick Look at What’s Next: AR for Enhancing User Experience

Before we wrap up, let’s touch on something that defines AR’s real power: AR for enhancing user experience.

Businesses that embrace AR aren’t just adding features; they’re redesigning how people interact with their products and brands. From virtual product previews to in-store navigation and interactive tutorials, AR makes every interaction more intuitive and engaging.

How DigiTrends Can Help

At DigiTrends, we can help global businesses embrace innovation through AR app development that drives results. Our approach combines creativity, precision, and user-centered design to deliver experiences that stand out.

We can build custom AR apps for businesses that:

• Improve customer engagement with immersive, branded experiences

• Streamline medical training through interactive AR simulations

• Transform marketing campaigns into shareable, memorable interactions

• Integrate effortlessly with your existing systems for seamless deployment

Whether you’re in retail, healthcare, real estate, or education, our development team helps you unlock the full potential of AR to drive growth, loyalty, and innovation.

Conclusion

AR isn’t just a trend; it’s a shift in how businesses connect with customers and build value. Those who embrace it early will lead the market, set new standards, and unlock endless opportunities.

For businesses ready to innovate, AR apps for business are the next big leap. With the right strategy, tools, and development partner, your brand can build unforgettable experiences that fuel growth.

Partner with DigiTrends to make that happen. Our AR specialists can help you bring your ideas to life and shape how your audience experiences your brand in the digital era.

The AR revolution is here. Let’s make your business a part of it.