HoloLens 2 Alternatives: What to Use Now for Industrial AR
Contents
Short answer
Microsoft ended HoloLens 2 production in October 2024 and will provide security updates until the end of 2027. Main HoloLens 2 alternatives are tablets, mixed reality headsets such as Apple Vision Pro and Android XR devices, and lightweight smart glasses. The best choice depends on the task. Actarion keeps your AR instructions device-independent, so you can switch without rewriting content.
Why are you looking for an alternative?
- Your HoloLens 2 fleet runs critical instructions, and you need a plan for after 2027.
- Replacement devices are harder to source.
- Your AR content is tied to one device and one app.
- Management asks whether AR still has a future in your plant.
What happened to HoloLens 2?
In October 2024 Microsoft confirmed it had stopped producing HoloLens 2, with no successor announced. Existing devices receive security updates until the end of 2027. They keep working after that, but without security updates, which matters for IT policy in most companies.
Which HoloLens 2 alternatives are there?
| Type | Examples | Strengths | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tablet (with AR) | Rugged iPad or Android tablets | Familiar, robust, quick to roll out | Not hands-free |
| Mixed reality headset | Apple Vision Pro, Android XR headsets | Rich 3D overlays, high display quality | Weight, fit with PPE, industrial suitability per site |
| Assisted reality / monocular smart glasses | e.g. RealWear, Vuzix | Hands-free, light, voice control, made for industry | Small display, limited 3D |
| Smartphone | Company phones | Already in the pocket | Small screen, not hands-free |
Specifications and certifications change quickly. Check current datasheets for safety ratings, battery life and PPE compatibility for your site. See our hardware overview.
How do you choose in 5 steps?
- 1List the tasks you run on HoloLens 2 today. Which really need hands-free 3D, and which just need a checklist?
- 2Rate each task. hands needed, environment (dust, wet, ATEX zones), duration, PPE.
- 3Match device type to task. Many tasks move to tablets; some to headsets or smart glasses.
- 4Separate content from device. Make sure your instructions can run on several devices.
- 5Pilot the new device on one line. before you replace the fleet.
Example
A maintenance team used HoloLens 2 for three tasks: annual gearbox inspection, filter changes and remote support.
- Gearbox inspection needs 3D overlays and both hands → mixed reality headset.
- Filter changes are simple, frequent steps → tablet on a stand.
- Remote support in noisy areas → monocular smart glasses with voice control.
Common mistakes
- Waiting until 2027. Migration takes planning, testing and training.
- Replacing like for like by reflex. Not every task needs a headset.
- Rebuilding content per device. That doubles the work for every future change.
- Forgetting IT. New device types need device management and security approval.
How do you measure success?
Measure before you change anything. Record a baseline for two to four weeks, then compare after the rollout using the same definitions. These KPIs are the most useful:
| KPI | What it tells you | How you measure it |
|---|---|---|
| Wearing time | Whether the device is comfortable enough | Average minutes per session before removal |
| Task time | Whether hands-free use helps | Minutes per task with glasses vs tablet |
| Error rate | Whether guidance quality holds | Deviations per 1,000 executions |
| Device uptime | Whether IT can support the fleet | Share of shifts with all devices ready |
Keep the list short: three KPIs that the team leader reviews every week beat ten that nobody looks at. Agree on the definitions with quality and finance up front, so the results hold up in a business case.
How Actarion helps
- Device-independent instructions: the same instruction runs on tablet, Apple Vision Pro, HoloLens 2 or Android XR.
- Migration plan: we map your tasks to the right device.
- AI authoring: convert existing HoloLens content and SOPs into new instructions.
- Audit trail stays intact across devices.
- Pilot first, with technology partner DeepSight.
See AR in manufacturing for use cases.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Microsoft stopped production in October 2024. Security updates continue until the end of 2027.
Yes, until your IT policy no longer allows devices without security updates. Plan the transition now.
There is no single best device. Match the device to the task: tablet, headset or smart glasses.
Only if your platform supports multiple devices. Check this before you buy hardware.
