PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1849475
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1849475
Virtual reality (VR) social platforms are online environments where users can interact with others in a simulated digital world. These platforms leverage VR technology to create immersive experiences, enabling users to communicate, socialize, and engage in various activities as if they were physically present with each other. VR social platforms provide a unique avenue for connection, socializing, and exploring virtual worlds, blurring the lines between physical and digital interaction.
The primary types of virtual reality (VR) social platforms include on-premise and cloud-based solutions. An on-premise VR social platform typically refers to a virtual reality environment hosted and managed within a physical location or facility, as opposed to being cloud-based or accessible remotely. These platforms encompass desktop, mobile, web, and console applications, offering pricing models such as subscription, pay-per-use, and freemium, catering to applications across individual, enterprise, educational, governmental, and other sectors.
Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.
The sharp rise in U.S. tariffs and the ensuing trade tensions in spring 2025 are having a significant impact on the information technology sector, especially in hardware manufacturing, data infrastructure, and software deployment. Increased duties on imported semiconductors, circuit boards, and networking equipment have driven up production and operating costs for tech companies, cloud service providers, and data centers. Firms that depend on globally sourced components for laptops, servers, and consumer electronics are grappling with extended lead times and mounting pricing pressures. At the same time, tariffs on specialized software and retaliatory actions by key international markets have disrupted global IT supply chains and dampened foreign demand for U.S.-made technologies. In response, the sector is ramping up investments in domestic chip production, broadening its supplier network, and leveraging AI-powered automation to improve resilience and manage costs more effectively.
The virtual reality (VR) social platforms research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides virtual reality (VR) social platforms market statistics, including the virtual reality (VR) social platforms industry's global market size, regional shares, competitors with a virtual reality (VR) social platforms market share, detailed virtual reality (VR) social platforms market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the virtual reality (VR) social platforms industry. This virtual reality (VR) social platforms market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.
The virtual reality (vr) social platforms market size has grown exponentially in recent years. It will grow from $1.5 billion in 2024 to $2.66 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 77.3%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to gaming industry influence, user engagement, investment and funding, content creation tools, and community building.
The virtual reality (vr) social platforms market size is expected to see exponential growth in the next few years. It will grow to $22.47 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 70.5%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to 5g and edge computing, metaverse development, augmented reality integration, AI and personalization, and healthcare and wellness applications. Major trends in the forecast period include social presence and interaction, cross-platform compatibility, virtual events and gatherings, monetization strategies, and regulatory and ethical considerations.
The forecast of 70.5% growth over the next five years reflects a modest reduction of 0.7% from the previous estimate for this market. This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. With tariffs increasing costs of head-mounted displays and motion sensing systems, US-based VR social platforms may struggle to keep entry-level pricing attractive for users. The effect will also be felt more widely due to reciprocal tariffs and the negative effect on the global economy and trade due to increased trade tensions and restrictions.
The growth of the virtual reality (VR) social platforms market is anticipated to be propelled by the increasing development of 5G networks. 5G networks, the fifth generation of cellular network technology, offer enhanced speeds, reduced latency, and greater capacity for mobile communication and data transmission. This development is driven by the growing demand for improved connectivity, enabling faster data speeds and lower latency, and facilitating the advancement of emerging technologies such as IoT and autonomous vehicles. By providing high-speed, low-latency connections, 5G networks enable VR social platforms to deliver enhanced immersive experiences and real-time interactions among users in virtual environments. For example, Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson reported in November 2023 that there were 163 million additional 5G subscriptions in the third quarter of 2023, reaching a total of 1.4 billion. The report also projected that global 5G subscriptions would exceed 5.3 billion by 2029, constituting 58% of all mobile subscriptions. Thus, the increasing development of 5G networks is fueling the growth of the VR social platforms market.
Leading companies in the VR social platforms market are concentrating on developing metaverse infrastructure systems to meet the growing demand for immersive and interconnected virtual experiences. Metaverse infrastructure systems encompass foundational technologies and frameworks supporting interconnected virtual environments, facilitating seamless interactions and experiences across various platforms and devices. For instance, Dentsu Group Inc. introduced Xambr in September 2023, a new virtual experience platform designed to enhance entertainment and interaction within the metaverse. Xambr ensures accessibility across multiple devices and offers immersive experiences suitable for personal and business purposes, leveraging high-quality graphics and advanced data analytics capabilities to elevate brand experiences and services in the virtual realm.
In February 2023, Meta Platforms, Inc., a US-based technology firm, acquired Within Unlimited, Inc., for an undisclosed sum. With this acquisition, Meta intends to enhance its virtual reality (VR) presence by incorporating the popular fitness app Supernatural, broadening its reach beyond gaming to target a fitness-oriented audience and strengthen its position in the VR market. Within Unlimited, Inc. is a VR company known for creating immersive stories and experiences.
Major companies operating in the virtual reality (VR) social platforms market are Meta Platforms Inc., Mozilla Corporation, Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC, Oculus VR LLC, Rec Room Inc., Microsoft Corporation, Immersive VR Education Ltd., High Fidelity Inc., Doghead Simulations LLC, Cluster Inc., LiveLike VR Inc., Spatial Systems Inc., Glue Collaboration AS, Bigscreen Inc., Somnium Space Limited, VRChat Inc., MeetinVR ApS, VTime Holdings Ltd., Social Spaces VR Ltd., JanusVR Inc.
North America was the largest region in the virtual reality (VR) social platforms market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the virtual reality (VR) social platforms market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.
The countries covered in the virtual reality (VR) social platforms market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
The virtual reality (VR) social platforms market includes revenues earned by entities by avatar creation, social spaces, real-time communication, cross-platform compatibility, and multiplayer games and activities. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).
The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.
Virtual Reality (VR) Social Platforms Global Market Report 2025 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses on virtual reality (vr) social platforms market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for virtual reality (vr) social platforms ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The virtual reality (vr) social platforms market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.