By Nicolas Robbe
August 14, 2025
With Adobe Aero disappearing, you might be wondering what other AR authoring tools are out there—or how to migrate your existing AR pieces to a future-proof platform. This blog recaps the leading options and shows why Hoverlay is a smart, web-first.
TL;DR
Adobe is sunsetting Aero.
Creative teams need a future-proof, cross-platform AR home.
What to look for: simple authoring, flexible anchoring (SLAM/image/location), scalable hosting, analytics, and simple team workflows.
Best fit for most creators and educators: Hoverlay—browser-based authoring, no-code creation options, robust sharing, analytics, and enterprise-ready support.
Migration is straightforward: export assets → rebuild scenes in Hoverlay → set anchors → QA → publish and track.
What Adobe Aero’s sunset means for creators
The official “Aero end‑of‑support FAQ” from Adobe confirms that end of support will happen on 6 November 2025, content access until 3 December 2025 and data deletion by 16 December 2025.
If your prototypes, activations, or learning experiences rely on Aero, now’s the time to pick a long-term platform and start migrating.
What to evaluate in an Aero alternative
- No-code / low-code authoring
- Anchoring and user interactions
- Built in AR experiences hosting, with CDN, uptime SLAs
- Cross-device compatibility (iOS & Android)
- Fast sharing (URL, QRCode)
- Broad assets support (GLB/Images/Video/Audio)
- Compression and optimization on average devices
- Active support and Documentation
Quick comparison: leading options after Aero
As many KAB Gallery clients are remote or located overseas having AR solution has really saved time for them in providing a visual understanding of how the art will look within their space. Hoverlay’s AR platform has become a daily essential at KAB Gallery and online at KABGallery.com. KAB Gallery is the first gallery exhibiting art in both physical and virtual gallery spaces to feature Hoverlay.
Just recently a KAB Gallery client located in Hong Kong used Hoverlay to help her quickly decide on the purchase of two pieces. Before KAB Gallery offered this feature, the client had been deliberating for too long and kept missing out on the pieces she liked. Being able to quickly visualize exactly how the pieces will look in her home and around the works in her collection, allowed the client to make a quick decision with confidence. Karry tells us that soon after the launch Hoverlay was already used by at least 60% of KAB Gallery’s new and returning clients looking to purchase online at KABGallery.com.
Why Hoverlay is a strong upgrade from Aero
1) Web-first delivery (no app required)
Launch AR from a link or QR code. Remove install friction and reach the broadest possible audience.
2) Flexible anchoring
Use QR codes, image targets, or location-based anchors so your experience works in stores, galleries, classrooms, and outdoor trails. 3) No-code creation options—fast time to value
Build scenes without a heavy dev lift. Designers can publish interactive AR in minutes and iterate quickly. 4) Share anywhere + simple embeds
Drop a link in social, email, or a CMS. Add QR codes to packaging, signage, or print. 5) Performance & compatibility
Optimized asset handling (GLB/USDZ) and mobile-friendly defaults keep experiences smooth on typical devices. 6) Built-in analytics
Track opens, dwell time, and interactions. Prove ROI and improve future activations. 7) Enterprise readiness
Collaboration, roles/permissions, governance, support, and scalable hosting for teams that ship often. 8) Migration help
Guidance, templates, and support to bring your Aero content over efficiently.
The Future is in Augmented Reality
The digital world is moving fast; new ways of promoting, selling and creating are quickly emerging and evolving. The digital tools now exist to enable anyone to experience art the way it should be. Augmented Reality is here to stay and with that begins a new era for artists and to enable anyone to fall in love with their creation.
Using the camera, anyone can find, interact, and collect content using augmented reality.
The Future is in Augmented Reality
Is Hoverlay a no-code tool?
Yes—artists, creators and students can build immersive experiences without writing code.
Do I need to install an app to author AR content?
No. Hoverlay Spaces (the authoring tool) runs in the browser and can be used from anywhere without installing anything.
To view your AR experiences, users will need to install the free Hoverlay mobile app.
What anchors are supported?
User-based and image-based, and stencils are supported.
Can I track performance?
Yes—built-in analytics show views, dwell, and interactions. How do I migrate from Aero?
Export assets from Aero, rebuild scenes in Hoverlay, assign anchors, QA, publish, and replace old links/QRs.