Spark AR alternatives after the Meta Spark shutdown
Tools in this answer
Short answer: Spark AR (later called Meta Spark) shut down on 14 January 2025. Since then, custom AR effects made by creators and brands are no longer available on Instagram or Facebook. Only Meta's own effects remain. To keep making AR effects, creators moved to TikTok Effect House (free, for TikTok) and Snap Lens Studio (free, for Snapchat).
What happened to Spark AR
Meta announced on 27 August 2024 that it would shut down Meta Spark's platform of third-party tools and content, effective Tuesday 14 January 2025. In Meta's words, AR effects built by third parties, including brands and AR creators, are no longer available from that date. AR effects owned by Meta continue to be available across its apps.
That means Spark AR Studio, Spark Hub and publishing your own filters to Instagram or Facebook are gone. Old tutorials and download links for Spark AR Studio no longer work.
Spark AR alternatives
| Tool | Made by | Price | Where effects appear | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Effect House | TikTok | Free desktop app (Mac or PC) | TikTok | Creators who post on TikTok and want to make filters, games and green screen effects |
| Lens Studio | Snap | Free | Snapchat, plus apps and websites through Snap's Camera Kit (by application) | Creators and brands building AR Lenses for Snapchat |
| Instagram's built-in effects | Meta | Free | Instagram and Facebook | Creators who only need Meta's own effects, not custom ones |
TikTok Effect House
Effect House is TikTok's free desktop app for Mac or PC for building effects, including filters, games, virtual characters and green screen effects. Effects are shared on TikTok. TikTok also runs rewards, monthly challenges and brand collaborations for effect creators. Official site: effecthouse.tiktok.com.
Snap Lens Studio
Lens Studio is Snap's free AR development platform for building Lenses for Snapchat. Snap's Camera Kit lets businesses put Lenses into their own apps and websites, but access goes through an application. Official site: developers.snap.com/lens-studio.
If you only post on Instagram
You can no longer publish your own effect to Instagram. Use the effects Instagram still offers, or create a signature look in an editing app and reuse it as a preset. See our phone video editing tools and video editing category.
How to choose
- Pick the platform where your audience is. Effects only work in the app they were built for.
- Post mostly on TikTok: start with Effect House.
- Post on Snapchat, or need effects inside your own app or website: start with Lens Studio.
- Have old Spark AR projects: they can't be published to Meta's apps any more, so rebuild the idea in Effect House or Lens Studio.
Questions
Is Spark AR still available?
No. Meta shut down Meta Spark, formerly Spark AR, on 14 January 2025. Third-party AR effects are no longer available on Instagram or Facebook.
Can I still make Instagram filters?
Not custom ones. Since the shutdown, only effects owned by Meta are available on Instagram and Facebook.
What is the best free alternative to Spark AR?
TikTok Effect House if you post on TikTok, and Snap Lens Studio if you post on Snapchat. Both are free.
Sources: Meta Spark update, 27 August 2024; TikTok Effect House; Snap Lens Studio documentation. Checked on 25 October 2026.