Last updated: July 2026. Written by Josh Hutcheson, OnlineCourseing editor. See our review methodology.
QUICK VERDICT
Bottom line: AR development, like VR, runs mostly through Unity, and dedicated AR courses are fewer than you might expect. The most hands-on route is a project-heavy Unity AR course — Rapidly Build 12 AR Apps (4.3★) — paired with a solid XR foundation, since AR and VR share most of the same Unity and 3D skills.
Augmented reality overlays digital content on the real world, and building it means combining a game engine (usually Unity) with AR frameworks like Apple's ARKit and Google's ARCore. Because those skills overlap heavily with VR, the fastest way to become capable in AR is to build the shared XR foundation and then apply it to AR-specific projects. Dedicated AR courses are a smaller field, so we have paired the best hands-on option with the XR grounding it builds on.
1. Best hands-on — Rapidly Build 12 iPhone/Android AR Apps
Before you spend money on the wrong online course, read this.
Get the free 2026 Platform Comparison Guide — 12 platforms compared on price, certificates, and refund policies. Instant PDF, plus my honest Tuesday picks.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
The strength here is volume of practice: you build a dozen small AR apps across iOS and Android, which is exactly how AR skills stick. It covers Unity with AR Foundation (the layer over ARKit and ARCore), so your skills transfer across devices. At 4.3★ it is the most practical dedicated AR course we found.
Best for: people who learn by building lots of small projects. Worth knowing: a smaller course by review count — pair it with a broader Unity foundation.
2. Best XR foundation — Virtual Reality Specialization (Coursera)
AR and VR are two sides of the same XR coin, and this University of London specialization builds the Unity, 3D, and interaction fundamentals both rely on. At 4.7★ it is the strongest way to build the underlying skills before or alongside AR-specific work.
Best for: building durable XR fundamentals with a credential. Cost: Coursera subscription (~$49/month), free to audit.
augmented reality courses compared
| Course | Best for | Rating | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapidly Build 12 AR Apps | Hands-on AR projects | 4.3 | Udemy |
| VR / XR Specialization (U. of London) | Shared XR foundation | 4.7 | Coursera |
ARKit, ARCore, or Unity — what to learn
For cross-platform work, learn Unity with AR Foundation, which sits on top of both ARKit (iOS) and ARCore (Android) so one skillset ships everywhere — this is what most courses and jobs favour. Learn ARKit or ARCore natively only if you are committed to a single platform and want maximum performance and access to the newest device features. For nearly everyone starting out, Unity plus AR Foundation is the efficient choice.
A realistic note on the AR course market
AR-specific courses are genuinely thinner on the ground than VR or general Unity courses, and some AR courses date quickly as ARKit and ARCore evolve. That is why we lean on the Unity/XR foundation: it is more durable and transfers directly. If you find an AR course, check its last-updated date and that it uses AR Foundation rather than a deprecated framework.
Related: our virtual reality courses, Unity courses, and app development courses.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best augmented reality course?
For hands-on practice, Rapidly Build 12 iPhone/Android AR Apps (4.3 stars) is the most practical dedicated AR course. Pair it with a broader XR foundation like the University of London VR/XR Specialization on Coursera (4.7 stars), since AR and VR share most skills.
Do I need to know coding for AR development?
Yes, some – AR development uses Unity (C#) or native frameworks, so you will do scripting. Beginner courses ease you in, and the coding is a core part of the skill rather than an optional extra.
Should I learn ARKit, ARCore, or Unity?
For cross-platform apps, learn Unity with AR Foundation, which covers both ARKit (iOS) and ARCore (Android). Learn a native framework only if you are committed to one platform and need maximum performance.
Is augmented reality a good skill to learn in 2026?
Yes, with realistic expectations – AR is growing across retail, industrial, and mobile use cases, and the Unity/XR skills transfer to VR and games too. It is a smaller field than general software, so pairing AR with broader engine skills keeps you flexible.