Augmented reality stocks will play an important role in the artificial intelligence revolution.
Computer generated experiences will help increase productivity and enhance user engagement across industries.
There are many different semiconductor and technology companies looking to leverage their expertise to advance the virtual world.
The augmented reality market was last valued at $25.33 Billion in 2021, projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 40.9% from 2022 – 2030 (Grand View Research, 2021).
This exponential growth will foster new innovations in both augmented and virtual reality hardware and software applications.
With this in mind, it’s important to know that the market is still in its infancy stages, with many questioning its viability in the real world.
However, the company’s that are exploring the market are no one trick ponies, leaving speculation of their long term success off the table.
Below, we will present the 9 Best Augmented Reality Stocks to buy in 2023!
9 Best Augmented Reality Stocks
1. Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META)
- Ticker: META
- Dividend Yield: N/A
- Market Cap: $558.96 Billion
Meta Platforms, formerly known as ‘’Facebook’’, is an American technology company headquartered in Menlo Park, California, United States.
They are one of the largest companies in the world by market capitalization.
In August 2021, the company changed their name to Meta Platforms to shift focus to the metaverse. Many investors have questioned this move and don’t believe that their long term bet on the metaverse will pay off.
Meta acquired the virtual reality headset company Oculus in 2014. Later, they acquired CTRL-Labs in 2019 and Mapillary in 2020. This would add to their arsenal of virtual reality and artificial intelligence software applications.
Meta Platforms employs more than 86,000 people and has approximately $185.72 billion in total assets.
In 2022, the company had annual revenues of $116.60 Billion.
2. Google (NASDAQ: GOOG)
- Ticker: GOOG
- Dividend Yield: N/A
- Market Cap: $1.34 Trillion
Google is an American technology company headquartered in Mountain View, California, United States.
Its parent company, Alphabet, is a part of the big 5 technology companies and one of the world’s most valuable brands.
The company primarily focuses on cloud computing, search engine optimization, computer software and artificial intelligence.
Google’s augmented and virtual reality software is already being integrated into Google Maps and Google Lens. This will help foster better customer experiences with everyday experiences like shopping, searching for information, and traveling.
It is no surprise that Google is breaking into the augmented reality market, leveraging their software and expertise in artificial intelligence and consumer electronics.
Google employs more than 175,000 people and has approximately $365.26 billion in total assets.
In 2022, the company had annual revenues of $286.83 Billion.
3. Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT)
- Ticker: MSFT
- Dividend Yield: 0.94%
- Market Cap: $2.14 Trillion
Microsoft is an American technology company headquartered in Redmond, Washington, United States.
They are one of the largest companies in the world by market capitalization and best known for their Windows and Microsoft Office product suite.
In 2016, Microsoft launched the Microsoft Hololens, a virtual and augmented reality headset. They have since launched two variations of the product, with the Hololens 3 launching soon.
The company is also in talks to acquire gaming company Activision Blizzard. The acquisition will have attributable benefits as a metaverse pure play. However, the acquisition is still pending and under FTC scrutiny.
Microsoft employs more than 220,000 people and has approximately $364.84 billion in total assets.
In 2022, the company had annual revenues of $198.27 Billion.
4. Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL)
- Ticker: AAPL
- Dividend Yield: 0.56%
- Market Cap: $2.63 Trillion
Apple is an American multinational technology company headquartered in Cupertino, California, United States.
They are the largest company in the world by market capitalization.
Apple is mostly known by its line of consumer products including the iMac, iPhone, iPad, Macbook and their line of Apple headphones.
They have been developing augmented reality hardware and software through a variety of virtual experiences. This includes their ARKit and Reality Kit frameworks for developers to create virtual experiences through the iPhone and iPad.
Apple is also rumored to be developing a new line of AR/VR hardware. This includes Apple Glasses and a mixed reality headset.
Apple employs more than 154,000 people and has approximately $352.75 billion in total assets.
In 2022, the company had annual revenues of $394.32 Billion.
5. Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA)
- Ticker: NVDA
- Dividend Yield: N/A
- Market Cap: $668.54 Billion
Nvidia is an American multinational technology company headquartered in Santa Clara, California, United States.
They are one of the largest semiconductors companies in the world by market capitalization.
Nvidia primarily designs and produces graphics processing units (GPU’s), APIs, and system on a chip units (SoCs) for the mobile computing and automotive industry. They are also a leader in the artificial intelligence revolution.
Apart from their AI dominance, they are leveraging AR/VR experiences through their CloudXR software. This will help companies leverage their existing workflows to create better virtual experiences for their customers.
It also includes their RTX technology, delivered through existing 5G networks.
Nvidia employs more than 26,000 people and has approximately $41.18 billion in total assets.
In 2022, the company had annual revenues of $26.91 Billion.
6. Qualcomm (NASDAQ: QCOM)
- Ticker: QCOM
- Dividend Yield: 2.70%
- Market Cap: $132.28 Billion
Qualcomm is an American multinational technology company headquartered in San Diego, California, United States.
They primarily operate in the semiconductor sector, with Apple, Samsung and Sony as some of its key customers.
Qualcomm has been a leader in advancing wireless technology. They own patents for 4G, 5G, CMDA 2000, and other critical telecommunication infrastructure.
They are currently experimenting with AR/VR technology through a variety of different software and hardware products. This includes advanced artificial intelligence and connectivity through their 5G infrastructure.
Their software has contributed to the development of multiple hardware products including the Hololens 2, Lenovo A3, Realware Navigator 500, and the Vuzix Shield.
Qualcomm employs more than 50,000 people and has approximately $49.01 billion in total assets.
In 2022, the company had annual revenues of $44.20 Billion.
7. Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ: AMD)
- Ticker: AMD
- Dividend Yield: N/A
- Market Cap: $668.54 Billion
Advanced Micro Devices is an American multinational technology company headquartered in Santa Clara, California, United States.
Founded in the late 1960’s, AMD’s early products included memory chips and other computer hardware.
AMD later expanded into the microprocessing market, competing with companies like Intel. Their Ryzen processors for gaming became a huge success, allowing them to further develop products such as GPUs, motherboard chipsets, and embedded processors.
They have partnered with Microsoft, Meta, and Vive to create advanced AR experiences. This includes the breakthrough of the LiquidVR headset, made with their Ryzen AMD processors.
AMD employs more than 25,000 people and has approximately $67.58 billion in total assets.
In 2022, the company had annual revenues of $23.60 Billion.
8. Etsy (NASDAQ: ETSY)
- Ticker: ETSY
- Dividend Yield: N/A
- Market Cap: $12.74 Billion
Etsy is an American e-commerce company headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, United States.
Founded in 2005, Etsy established itself as a marketplace for buying and selling handmade vintage items, accessories and craft supplies.
Etsy, a known ‘’work from home’’ stock, took off during the 2020 Covid-19 global pandemic. They saw revenue and profits soar, on the back of an increased digitized economy.
They released their AR software in the Etsy App in 2020 to create a better online shopping experience for its customers. Augmented reality could be a great addition to the shopping experience, adding an additional layer of confidence for its buyers.
Etsy employs more than 1,500 people and has approximately $2.63 billion in total assets.
In 2022, the company had annual revenues of $2.56 Billion.
9. Unity Software (NYSE: U)
- Ticker: U
- Dividend Yield: N/A
- Market Cap: $10.85 Billion
United Software is a European videogame development company headquartered in San Francisco, California, United States.
Founded in 2004, Unity Software created the infrastructure for video game engine development.
Initially, United Software focused on video game development for 2D and 3D interactive content. Later, this funneled into the development of a number of different games across desktop, mobile and consoles.
Unity Software has created an end-to-end platform for creation of virtual and augmented reality gaming experiences. Their AR foundation allows users to deploy virtual experiences across multiple software and hardware devices. The platform has been utilized across the construction and automotive sector.
Unity Software employs more than 7,700 people and has approximately $7.83 billion in total assets.
In 2022, the company had annual revenues of $1.39 Billion.
Augmented Reality Stocks: Final Takeaway
Augmented reality and virtual experiences will play a key role in the digitized world.
As social media and artificial intelligence continue to advance, AR/VR can help create better user experiences.
Some of the largest companies in the world like Microsoft, Apple and Google are looking to leverage their expertise in the virtual world.
That could mean more visibility for AR/VR hardware and software.
While augmented reality is still in its early stages, investors should pay attention to these 9 best augmented reality stocks for 2023.
Disclosure: The author holds no position mentioned in this article. Freedom Stocks has a disclosure policy.
