USDZ vs GLB vs glTF
In short: USDZ is Apple's single-file 3D format for AR on iPhone, iPad and Vision Pro; GLB is the single-file binary version of glTF, used by Android Scene Viewer, websites and most 3D engines. If you want AR on every phone, you need both files of the same model.
Side by side
| USDZ | GLB | glTF | OBJ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Made by | Pixar (USD) and Apple | Khronos Group | Khronos Group | Wavefront |
| Files | One zip package | One binary file | JSON plus separate binary and images | Text file plus .mtl and images |
| iPhone AR | Native (AR Quick Look) | Not native | Not native | No |
| Android AR | No | Native (Scene Viewer) | Yes | No |
| Web viewers | Limited | Yes (model-viewer, three.js, Babylon.js) | Yes | Yes |
| Materials | Physically based | Physically based | Physically based | Basic |
| Animation | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Simple rule
- Only Apple devices: USDZ.
- Android, websites, Shopify, game engines: GLB.
- Everyone, including a View in AR button on your website: both. Use model-viewer with src set to the GLB and ios-src set to the USDZ.
- Editing in a 3D tool: glTF or the tool's own format, then export GLB and USDZ at the end.
Why glTF and GLB are the same thing in two shapes
glTF stores the scene as a JSON file that points to separate buffers and textures. GLB puts the same data into one binary file. For uploading, sharing and AR, GLB is easier because there is only one file to move.
Converting between them
Going from a photo, you do not need a 3D tool at all: jpgtousdz builds the USDZ and the GLB from the same image at the same real size. Going from an existing 3D model, use a 3D tool (Blender, Apple Reality Converter) and check the scale after export, because scale and material settings are where conversions usually go wrong.
Try it now
Turn a photo into a real-size USDZ and GLB in a few seconds, or a video into a 3D model. Your first photo conversion is free.
JPG to USDZ ConverterFAQ
Is GLB better than USDZ?
Neither is better; they serve different platforms. iPhone AR Quick Look needs USDZ, Android Scene Viewer needs GLB or glTF.
Does iPhone open GLB files?
Not in AR Quick Look. Web viewers such as model-viewer can show a GLB in the browser and, on iPhone, convert it to USDZ on the fly, but a real USDZ file gives a more reliable result.
Which is smaller, USDZ or GLB?
It depends on the content. USDZ is not compressed, so it is often a little larger for the same model and textures.