virtual eventstechnicalplatforms

Alternative platforms for immersive demos after Meta Workrooms

UUnknown

2026-02-15

11 min read

Deliver immersive product demos without VR headsets. Practical platforms, integrations (Shopify, Stripe, WooCommerce, Zapier), and a step-by-step preorder template.

Stop waiting for headsets — deliver immersive product demos today

If your team relied on Meta Horizon Workrooms or assumed enterprise VR was the only route to immersive demos, that roadmap just changed. You still need to validate demand, show realistic 3D product behavior, collect preorders, and run collaborative walkthroughs — but you don’t need dedicated VR hardware. This article lists practical, production-ready platforms and integration patterns teams can use in 2026 to run immersive product demos without VR headsets.

Why this matters in 2026: the landscape shifted

In early 2026 Meta announced it would discontinue Horizon Workrooms and stop selling some commercial headsets and services. The message was clear: large-scale enterprise VR as a turnkey service is no longer a dependable single-vendor path for product teams.

"Meta has made the decision to discontinue Workrooms as a standalone app, effective February 16, 2026."

At the same time, two technical trends accelerated late 2025 and into 2026: browser 3D performance (WebGPU + optimized WebGL engines) and the rise of microapps — small, fast, often no-code apps built for a single use-case. Together these trends mean you can deliver immersive, interactive product demos that run in the browser, on phones and desktops, and integrate directly with Shopify, Stripe, WooCommerce, and automation tools like Zapier.

How to read this guide

We organize platforms by category (3D viewers, WebAR, collaborative microapps, embedded storefront integrations), explain when to use each, and give practical integration and measurement steps you can implement today. If you want an end-to-end template, skip to the step-by-step example below.

Practical platform list: 3D viewers to collaborative microapps (no VR required)

1) model-viewer / three.js (vanilla web)

What it is: Lightweight web components (model-viewer) or full-featured WebGL libraries (three.js) for embedding GLB/GLTF models with interaction (rotate, zoom, animation).

Why use it: Fast, low-cost, runs on every modern browser and mobile device without an app. Works as the core of a shoppable demo page.

Integration tips: host a GLB file in your CDN, add <model-viewer src="/model.glb" ar ar-modes="webxr scene-viewer quick-look"></model-viewer> or use a three.js scene for custom UI hooks.
Shopify/WooCommerce: Add as a product media block (Online Store 2.0) or custom Gutenberg block; fallback to product images for unsupported browsers.
Measurement: instrument events for rotate/zoom/play to calculate interaction depth (Google Analytics 4 or Segment).

2) Sketchfab / Vectary / p3d.in

What it is: Hosted 3D viewer platforms that provide embeddable players with annotations and annotations-driven views.

Why use it: Fast to ship — upload models and paste an embed. Useful for marketing pages and preorders when you need a polished viewer quickly.

Integration tips: Use embeddable iframe / JS API to control camera presets and link viewer events to your analytics and conversion buttons.
Shopify: Use the description or a custom liquid block to output the embed. Combine with the Buy Button or Shopify cart API to attach variant IDs.
Limitations: Less control than custom three.js; check export quality and texture sizes for mobile.

3) Spline / PlayCanvas / Babylon.js

What it is: Visual 3D editors and engines for building richer scene interactions — physics, UI, and multi-camera setups.

Why use it: Ideal when you need scene-based demos: open/close parts, material swaps, animated assembly, or real-time configurators.

Integration tips: Export to WebGL or use native embeddable players. For multi-user sync, combine with a realtime DB ( Firebase) or socket server.
Performance: Use LODs and texture atlases; lazy-load heavy assets after page load.

4) WebAR: 8th Wall, Zappar, model-viewer AR

What it is: Browser AR that lets users place and view 3D products in their real environment — no app store install required.

Why use it: For furniture, wearables, or scale-dependent products, AR drives confidence and reduces returns.

Integration tips: Provide AR call-to-action near the 3D viewer. Use model-viewer’s AR modes for a friction-free inline experience on most phones.
Privacy/consent: AR uses camera access; surface a clear permission and data-use disclosure to avoid friction. Also consider creative delivery and edge performance when serving AR assets.

5) Collaborative microapps (Glide, Bubble, Retool, Stacker)

What it is: No-code / low-code platforms for building small, focused web apps — chat-enabled configurators, guided demo flows, or sales assist microapps.

Why use it: Non-dev teams can prototype guided demos, accept preorders, and embed shoppable components into landing pages in days.

Integration tips: Embed a Bubble/Glide microapp inside a marketing page, and wire Stripe Checkout or Stripe Payment Links for payments.
Collaboration: Add live chat or co-browsing (Upscope, Surfly) to turn a microapp into a shared demo space; combine with a lightweight edge message broker for reliable client-state sync across regions.

6) Co-browsing + live demo stack (Upscope, Surfly, Daily.co + custom viewer)

What it is: Tools that let a salesperson guide a customer through a browser session, with synchronized mouse and state.

Why use it: Replicates the collaborative quality of Workrooms without windows into a VR environment — use it for technical conversations, walkthroughs, and conversion calls.

Integration tips: Host your 3D viewer in a secure page, initiate co-browse or lightweight multiplayer session on demand, and capture consent. Use Daily.co for video + screenshare and Upscope for element-level co-browsing.
Conversion: Offer a live-demo-only discount or limited-time preorder during the co-browse session to increase urgency.

7) Shopify native 3D + Hydrogen / Storefront API

What it is: Shopify supports 3D models in product media; with Hydrogen or the Storefront API you can build highly interactive product pages and embedding 3D viewers directly into checkout flows.

Why use it: Best-in-class for merchants who want a single backend for inventory, payments, and fulfillment while displaying immersive product demos.

Integration tips: Use product metafields to store model IDs and attributes, render or a custom three.js wrapper in a section block, and link interactions to variant selection.
Payments: Use Shopify Checkout or route to Stripe Checkout via Payment Links if you want to capture preorder payments outside Shopify. Capture metadata (order_type=preorder, ship_eta) for fulfillment automation. For example, follow patterns from checkout flows that scale when designing your payment UX.

8) Stripe Checkout + Payment Links for preorders

What it is: Fast way to capture payments without building a full cart flow. Stripe Checkout supports metadata and webhooks to automate post-payment workflows.

Why use it: Use Stripe to accept partial payments, deposits, or full preorders and retain control over fulfillment status and shipping ETAs.

Integration tips: Include product metadata in the Checkout session (metadata: {product_id, preorder_eta, ship_group}) and use webhooks to create draft orders in Shopify/WooCommerce.
Best practice: Send an immediate confirmation email with a clear shipping window and a link to a dynamic preorder dashboard built with a microapp.

9) WooCommerce + 3D viewer plugins

What it is: WordPress + WooCommerce stores can add 3D viewers as product gallery extensions or Gutenberg blocks.

Why use it: Good for teams that prefer open-source stacks and need granular control over fulfillment and hosting.

Integration tips: Use a plugin that supports GLB uploads or add a custom block that mounts model-viewer. For preorders, use a dedicated preorder plugin that sets order status, handles stock, and triggers emails.
Automation: Send order webhooks to Zapier to create CRM records, schedule fulfillment, and update a customer-facing ETA page.

10) Zapier / Make integrations — glue everything together

What it is: Automation platforms that connect your demo interactions and commerce systems: forms, Shopify/WooCommerce, Stripe, email, Slack, CRMs.

Why use it: You can automate preorder workflows, customer comms, inventory allocations, and shipping ETA updates without writing backend code.

Common flow: Typeform -> Zapier -> Create Draft Order (Shopify) -> Create Payment Intent (Stripe) -> Send Confirmation Email -> Add to Google Sheet.
Pro tip: Use conditional paths in Zapier to escalate high-value preorders to a human sales rep via Slack and schedule a co-browse demo.

End-to-end example: Build a no-VR immersive preorder demo (Shopify + Sketchfab + Stripe + Zapier)

Here’s a practical template you can implement in days rather than months.

Host a GLB model on Sketchfab or your CDN. Create a camera preset for hero view + five detail views.
Create a Shopify product and add the model as product media or use a custom section that embeds the Sketchfab player with controls mapped to variant options (color, finish).
Add a visible "Preorder" CTA that opens a microapp (Bubble/Glide) modal collecting name, email, address, and preorder option (deposit/full payment).
Use Stripe Payment Links for payment. Include metadata: product_sku, preorder_eta, fulfillment_group.
- Example metadata: {"sku":"PRO-123","preorder_eta":"2026-05","fulfillment_group":"batch-1"}
Connect the microapp to Zapier: when a payment completes, Zapier creates a Shopify draft order (with metafields), adds the buyer to your CRM, and notifies fulfillment via Slack.
Expose a shipping ETA status page (microapp) where customers can check fulfillment status by order ID. Use webhooks to update ETA dynamically as manufacturing or shipping dates change.

This pattern decouples storefront, payments, and fulfillment while giving you full control of the demo UX and the analytics you need to validate demand.

Technical how-to snippets & checklist

Quick snippets and fields to implement across platforms.

Shopify metafields: product.metafields.demo.model_url, product.metafields.demo.view_presets, product.metafields.fulfillment.preorder_eta
Stripe metadata: metadata[product_sku], metadata[preorder_type], metadata[customer_id]
Zapier triggers: Stripe -> New Payment -> Create Draft Order (Shopify) -> Webhook -> CRM
Analytics events: demo_view, demo_rotate, demo_material_swap, demo_ar_enter, demo_duration

User experience and legal best practices

Immersive demos increase purchase intent — but they also raise expectations. Reduce disputes and returns with these practical rules:

Communicate shipping ETA clearly: show ETA at checkout and in confirmation emails. Use metafields or metadata to update ETA programmatically.
Capture the product state at purchase: save configuration (color, finish, add-ons) as order metadata so fulfillment and support see exactly what the customer saw.
Display AR disclaimers: if you offer WebAR, request camera permission with a clear purpose statement and fallback imagery for browsers that disallow camera access.
Refund and returns policy: frame preorders with clear terms and expected timelines to reduce chargebacks.

Measure what matters: UX metrics for immersive demos

Focus on interaction-first KPIs to evaluate demo effectiveness and demand validation.

Demo-to-cart conversion rate (demo viewers who add to cart or preorder)
Interaction depth (number of rotates / zooms / material swaps per session)
Time to first interaction (how long until a viewer rotates or zooms — short is good)
AR conversion uplift vs non-AR viewers
Support inquiries per preorder (indicator of mismatch between demo and delivered product)

Quick decision guide: Which option for your goal?

Validate demand fast (no dev): Sketchfab + embedded Typeform + Stripe Payment Links + Zapier flows.
High-fidelity product configurator: Spline/PlayCanvas + custom three.js viewer + Storefront API/Hydrogen for checkout.
Collaborative sales demos: Co-browse + Daily.co video + shared viewer + live discount on preorders.
Open-source / self-hosted stack: model-viewer + three.js + WooCommerce + Zapier for automation.

Future predictions (2026+): plan for the next wave

Here are trends that will shape immersive demos over the next 18–36 months:

Microapps become the default demo channel: Sales and ops teams will ship tiny, focused apps for product walkthroughs and preorders, often built by non-developers with AI assist.
AI-generated demo sequences: Expect auto-created camera tours and demo scripts derived from product CAD and marketing copy to speed demo creation.
WebGPU and richer visuals: More realistic materials and lighting in browser demos without heavy downloads.
Privacy-first AR: APIs that limit camera telemetry while preserving AR placement will be a competitive differentiator.

Final checklist before launch

Load test your 3D assets on target devices and network conditions. Use network observability patterns to simulate failure modes.
Confirm payment metadata (preorder flags) are present and used by fulfillment automation.
Implement a fallback (hero images + video) for unsupported browsers.
Instrument analytics events for demo interactions and tie them to revenue metrics.
Draft clear preorder terms and include ETA prominently.

Takeaway — act now, without headsets

Meta’s transition away from Workrooms accelerated a rethink many teams were already making: immersive demos don’t require VR headsets. With modern web 3D, WebAR, microapps, and easy integrations to Shopify, Stripe, WooCommerce, and Zapier, you can validate demand, capture preorders, and run collaborative demos that convert — all in a phone browser or desktop tab. Focus on interaction depth, clear shipping communication, and automated fulfillment flows.

Ready-made next steps: choose one viewer (model-viewer or Sketchfab), add an AR call-to-action, wire Stripe Payment Links for preorders, and create a Zapier automation to create draft orders and notify fulfillment. Iterate from there.

Call to action

We built a set of Shopify + Stripe + Zapier templates and a 3D viewer starter kit tuned for preorder launches. Click to grab the templates, or book a 20-minute review with our launch team to map this pattern to your product and timelines.

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