Comparison

VDateNow vs Digital Expo Layer

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

VDateNow

Create augmented reality scenes by placing virtual characters on real-world surfaces. Take photos from any angle, customize characters with different VRM models, and even import external animations. This app allows for immersive virtual photography experiences.

Highlights
  • Augmented reality character placement
  • Customizable VRM model import
  • External motion import
  • Any-angle photography
  • Marker image toggle
  • Smartphone VR goggles support
Read full description

[Application overview] *When you see the marker on the table with the terminal camera, the character sits on the other side of the table. *You can take pictures from any angle you like. *You can change the characters by loading another VRM model you prepared. (You can import VRM model from VRoid Hub) *You can also use VR goggles for smartphones (The camera is not blocked.) to see 3D images. *You can also import and play external motions. [how to use] *Pre-work 1. Print the images shown below in A3 size (210 * 297mm). https://drive.google.com/open?id=1aso6gAUGB4HI2F_N13i5yd0A4FteaKOB 2. Place the printed image on the table where you want the character to appear. * How to operate this application ** How to make a character appear 1. When you start the application, the character list will be displayed, so please select the model you want to display. *Initially, Alicia Solid is the only character. You will learn how to add other models later. 2. Press the Menu icon to delete the Character List window. (Press again to redisplay) 3. Please look at the pictures you prepared in advance through phone camera. 4. When the "character selection" and "Fit image to camera" conditions are met, the characters automatically appear and sit at the table. We're all set. ** After the character appeared - Press the camera icon to take a picture. Take a picture from any position you like. The shot images are saved in the Gallery. - Press cloth icon to hide (or show) marker image. Hide mode is helpful when you want to put objects on the real maker and take pictures. - Press character icon, and she/he appears again. - You can load the other model to change to her/him. *How to Add VRM Models * Cautions * Read and use VRM files in accordance with the terms of use of each VRM file. Click the “Import VRM Files” button and select the model files you want to import. Such files must have the .vrm extension. The previous method used in versions 2.9.0 and earlier — manually placing files directly under the “VDateNow” folder (subfolders allowed) — is still supported. [Privacy Policy] *This application uses the camera of the terminal for AR display. *This app accesses your photo library to save photos [About Default Models] *This application uses the following VRM files as default characters. DWANGO Co., Ltd. "ニコニ立体ちゃん" http://3d.nicovideo.jp/alicia/

About

Digital Expo Layer

Read full description

This app allows you to access the digital layer of the expo hall. To use it, scan one of the QR codes throughout the expo hall. If you found this app by scanning a QR code at the event, you can scan the same QR code from within the app to enter the expo hall’s digital layer.

Screenshots

VDateNow3 screens
Digital Expo Layer2 screens

Verdict

The call

VDateNow and Digital Expo Layer are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
VDateNow versus Digital Expo Layer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVDateNowDigital Expo Layer
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (5 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings5 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS13.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size182 MB198 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperYoshihiro ItoAuki Labs Limited

In-app purchases

None

VDateNow

No in-app purchases

None

Digital Expo Layer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is VDateNow free?
VDateNow is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Digital Expo Layer free?
Digital Expo Layer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do VDateNow or Digital Expo Layer have ads?
Neither VDateNow nor Digital Expo Layer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, VDateNow or Digital Expo Layer?
VDateNow ships an update every 2 months, and Digital Expo Layer every 2 months. Most recently, VDateNow was updated on October 26, 2026 and Digital Expo Layer on October 27, 2026.

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