VRChat is an online virtual world platform created by Graham Gaylor and Jesse Joudrey and operated by VRChat, Inc. The platform allows users to interact with others with user-created 3D avatars and worlds. VRChat is designed primarily for use with virtual reality headsets, being available for Microsoft Windows PCs and as an app for Android-based headsets such as Meta Quest, Pico 4, and HTC Vive XR Elite. VRChat is also playable without a virtual reality device in a desktop mode designed for a mouse and keyboard, gamepad, or mobile app for touchscreen devices.
VRChat was first released as a Windows application for the Oculus Rift DK1 prototype on January 16, 2014. It was later released to the Steam early access program on February 1, 2017. VRChat later became available on the Meta Quest store on December 11, 2018, and in early access on Google Play on August 22, 2023, then was fully released on the App Store and Google Play store on October 24, 2025.
Overview
VRChats functionality is similar to that of games such as Second Life and Habbo Hotel, allowing users to access user-developed "worlds" where they can interact with each other using virtual avatars. Worlds can vary, with some taking the form of social spaces, performance venues, and games.
VRChat is also capable of running in "desktop mode" without a VR headset, which is controlled using either a mouse and keyboard, gamepad, or touchscreen device. Some limitations exist in desktop mode, such as the inability to freely move an avatar's limbs, or perform interactions that require more than one hand. A feature known as "Selfie Expression" allows limited motion tracking using a webcam.
The paid VRChat Plus (VRC+) subscription provides extra features such as more slots for "favorite" avatars, profile pictures, and the ability to attach an in-game photo to an invite request. Other exclusive features for subscribers have been added since launch, including additional theming options for the user interface, and custom emojis and stickers. In March 2025, several new Plus-exclusive features were launched in beta, including a virtual dolly for the in-game camera, and a flyable camera drone, and Selfie Expression (which later became available to all users in September of that year).
User-generated content
Creating avatars and worlds is an involved process using external tools; they are uploaded by users of a Unity software development kit released alongside VRChat. Avatars are capable of mimicking head and hand motion along with supporting lip syncing, eye tracking, blinking, and other features. Trends and variations of avatars can spread deeply through the community, and avatars themselves are often distributed for free, or sold through online marketplaces such as Gumroad or Booth.
In 2020, VRChat introduced Udon, a visual programming language which uses a node graph system. While still considered alpha software, it became usable on publicly-accessible worlds beginning in April 2020. A source-to-source compiler known as UdonSharp allows scripts to be written against the Udon APIs in C#.
In 2022, support for the Open Sound Control (OSC) protocol was added for more advanced interactions with external software and devices. Later in the year, VRChat began to implement a secondary application—"VRChat Creator Companion" (VCC)—for managing Unity IDE installations, projects, and packages using a Unity Package Manager (UPM)-compatible format. The previous VRChat SDK2 was deprecated in February 2023, with the Udon-based SDK 3.x becoming mandatory for all new content going forward.
In May 2023, VRChat announced that it would add a new monetization framework known as the "Creator Economy". Initially, this allows eligible groups to offer subscriptions (via a paid digital currency known as "VRChat Credits") that can, in turn, allow access to exclusive features programmed in worlds (such as VIP rooms or in-game cosmetics) for supporters. 50% of revenue from subscriptions go to the group owner. In May 2025, a related feature known as the "Avatar Marketplace" was also announced, allowing users to purchase access to premium public avatars using Credits; at launch, this included officially licensed avatars such as Quill from Moss.
Hardware support VRChat supports Microsoft Windows (PC), Android, and iOS platforms. Content such as worlds and avatars can be built for one or more platforms to support cross-platform play; due to hardware limitations, content for mobile platforms must be optimized within specific constraints.
VRChat supports major PC virtual reality platforms such as Meta Quest (via Quest Link or streaming apps such as Virtual Desktop) and SteamVR (including the HTC Vive and Valve Index among others). There are two versions of VRChat for mobile devices; one is designed for Android-based standalone VR headsets, including Meta Quest, Pico 4, and HTC Vive XR Elite. Mobile app versions of VRChat for Android and iOS exited beta in October 2025; these versions utilize touchscreen controls, and offer access to social features and push notifications from groups.
Finger tracking and gesture recognition is supported on controllers such as the Index Controller and Oculus Touch, allowing users' finger movements to be reflected by their avatar, and hand poses to trigger linked animations (such as a corresponding facial expressions). VRChat also supports SteamVR and OSC full-body tracking for motion capture, including tracker peripherals utilizing SteamVR base stations (i.e. HTC Vive Trackers), inertial measurement unit (IMU)-based trackers such as SlimeVR, and Kinect among others. The Vive XR Elite version of VRChat supports the Vive Ultimate Tracker accessory.
Community VRChat popularity has been attributed to use by YouTubers and Twitch streamers. VRChat has spawned media such as a weekly newspaper in its forums, and talk shows and podcasts dedicated to a discussion of the game. After an initial wave of viral popularity upon its release, the platform saw a steady increase in concurrent users with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and direct quarantine policies. There were recorded spikes in viewership of VRChat-related Twitch streams in mid-2020 and September 2020. The service reported a record of over 24,000 concurrent users over the Halloween weekend (with over half using it on a VR platform), spurred by holiday events and the recent release of the Oculus Quest 2. On December 31, 2020, the service recorded a then-record of over 40,000 concurrent users for New Year's Eve, to the point that it experienced a major outage around midnight ET due to a security provider having mistaken the surge as a denial-of-service attack. By 2025, it was reported by VRChat staff that the platform regularly averaged around 120,000 concurrent users on weekends. A concurrent user record was set on New Year's Eve 2025–26, peaking at nearly 149,000 users around midnight CT on January 1, 2026, and a "surprisingly high" figure of Japanese users. ]
The platform has a notable community of transgender users, as the use of avatars have allowed individuals to discover and portray an expression of themselves that suits their gender identity, especially if they live in regions where the transgender community faces prejudice. Trans Academy—a support group for transgender users on VRChat—has over 58,000 members in their VRChat group as of June 2026.
The virtual furry convention Furality has been hosted on VRChat since 2020; its ninth edition in 2025—Furality Somna—hosted a record of over 26,000 registered attendees, and raised over $109,000 for the Orlando, Florida-based LGBTQ+ charity The Center.
The Japanese company Hikky has organized a series of events on VRChat known as Vket (Virtual Market), a virtual doujinshi convention focused on the sale of digital assets by members of the community. The event also features areas with sponsored booths, which have featured exhibitors such as Bandai Namco, Disney, East Japan Railway Company, and HP. Sanrio has similarly organized the Sanrio VFes, which has featured exhibitions of its characters, environments inspired by the Sanrio Puroland theme park, and virtual concert events. On February 15, 2026, the premiere of a promotional virtual concert for the anime film Cosmic Princess Kaguya! held as part of Sanrio VFes contributed to a new concurrent user record of around 156,700.
Moderation and trust system VRChat is user moderated with a votekick system. When a problematic user is present, anyone may initiate a vote to remove them from the area. User-created groups may post written social rules and expectations within spaces that they operate, and assign moderators to enforce these rules.
Users of VRChat are automatically classified into various "trust ranks" based on factors such as the time they spend on the platform, number of friends, and content uploaded. Higher ranks come with increased access to avatar features that may be disruptive if misused. The classification of users into an ordered ranking system, based on an opaque algorithm, may lead to discrimination or stereotyping based on trust rank.
Performing arts The platform has attracted various music-oriented communities and events; dancers have leveraged full-body tracking support to give virtual performances and classes within VRChat, including ballet, breaking, and pole dance.
Online dance music events have also occurred on VRChat, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. They are organized by collectives and groups that develop and design nightclub worlds, and sometimes simulcast their events on live streaming platforms such as Twitch. One club—Loner Online—was noted by an NME writer for its attention to detail in recreating an underground club experience (with the Akihabara nightclub Mogra cited by its developers as an influence), right down to having bathroom stalls. In partnership with the VRChat-based electronic music festival SlyFest, British drum and bass producer Muzz organized a virtual concert tour consisting of headlining appearances at multiple VRChat events in 2021, including support from other producers such as Feint, Mollie Collins, and Teddy Killerz.
In June 2020, French electronic musician Jean-Michel Jarre presented a virtual concert experience in VRChat, "Alone Together". On December 31, 2020, Jarre presented a second virtual concert for New Year's Eve, "Welcome to the Other Side", which was broadcast across other radio, television, and online platforms from outside of the Notre-Dame cathedral, and featured an interactive companion experience on VRChat taking place within a virtual version of the cathedral.
Users have produced short films within VRChat, leveraging features such as its built-in camera functionality, as well as third-party camera tools such as VRCLens (which provides additional functions and effects not provided by the built-in camera, such as filters, focal length, zebra patterning, and drone cameras). The Raindance Film Festival has incorporated VRChat content into its Raindance Immersive event highlighting virtual and extended reality experiences, while several documentaries have been produced about VRChat itself, such as We Met in Virtual Reality (2022).
Sign language Signed language is possible in VRChat because users can position their hands anywhere they can reach, and pose their fingers to varying extents. Two sign dialects are used depending on the signer's hardware; both must be understood for effective communication. The general dialect is limited to seven predetermined handshapes built into VRChat; signing compatibility was not a priority when these handshapes were selected. Some specialized avatars may expand on this limitation, especially by replacing the horns sign (1I) with the more broadly useful shaka sign (Y). The other dialect is for users of the Valve Index controllers, which track each finger independently.