ARKit is an Apple exclusive framework technology used for face tracking, plane detection, interactions, and environment changes.
We use ARKit through the iPhone's camera, which processes more facial data than a regular camera, and this is what makes the model movements more advanced.
iPhone models that efficiently support ARKit:
- iPhone X, XS, XR, XS Max; (Will not update from 2025)
- iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max; (Will not update from 2025)
- iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max;
- iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max;
- iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max;
- iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max;
To use this technology, we need auxiliary programs for VTuber Studio. Currently, I use two of them: Vitamins and Vbriger, both available on Steam.
Vbridger Currently costing US$ 9,99 (04/29/2025)
Vitamins Currently free (04/29/2025)
I will talk about my preferences for each program later.
To use the plug-ins, you need to install applications on your iPhone to transmit camera information to the computer. Currently, I use these two options depending on the situation, both available on the App Store.
iFacialMocap Currently costing US$ 7.99 (04/29/2025)
VTube Studio (Free app but you need to buy the Pro version in some cases.) Pro version currently costing $22.99 (04/29/2025)
I'll talk about my preferences for each app later.
The two work EQUALLY, everything Arkit has can be used in both programs and with the same functionalities!
I'm going to list the pros and cons of each plug-in and application.
Vbridger
✅ Up-to-date application with a large community;
✅ Accepts various types of applications;
✅ Accepts iFacialmocap;
✅ You don't need to buy VTube Studio PRO in the iPhone to use it;
❌ Very demanding;
❌ Only accepts its own code language;
❌ Can cause absurd fps drops on the computer;
❌ Can cause conflicts in obs;
❌ Constantly shuts down due to crashes;
✅ Has an activatable Lost Tracking animation.
Vitamins
❌ Application with a small community and does not receive many updates;
❌The applications it accepts are not ideal for some cases;
❌ Does not accept iFacialmocap;
✅ You don't need to buy VTube Studio to use it;
✅ 3x lighter than Vbridger;
✅ Accepts Java and Vbridger programming;
✅ More optimized program;
✅ Can be used in the background, saving ram memory and processing;
❌ No activatable Lost Tracking animation.
I usually use this combination of programs: Vbridger + iFacialMocap and Vitamins + VTube Studio. As mentioned in the pros and cons of each Plugin, the unavailability of iFacialmocap is a disadvantage in my opinion because, in addition to being an application that is also widely used in the 3d area, with it it is possible to control the weight of movement of different faces. In many cases, some clients have difficulty controlling the muscles of the face, and ifacialmocap can individually control the intensity of movement of the parts of the face that are more difficult to control, making the model easier to use for the client with difficulties. VTubeStudio also has a similar system to iFacialmocap, but it's not as precise as the previous program, but I'd say that one of its advantages is voice capture and the possibility of using the application for free using plug-ins, as the application doesn't charge you to use third-party programs just to connect it to your computer.
Apart from that, I don't see the need to mention many other differences between them, in each case you can use whatever the client needs. I personally prefer to use Vitamins with VTube Studio because I don't have muscle difficulties in my face and I prefer to have greater performance on my computer.
Conclusion: If you have a very good PC you won't have any disadvantages when using VBridger, but if you have an average PC or want more performance I recommend using Vitamins.