Vision Pro vs HoloLens 2: which headset for industrial AR?
Apple Vision Pro vs HoloLens 2 for industrial work instructions: display type, availability, support until 2027 and what to choose for new AR rollouts.
Short answer
Vision Pro vs HoloLens: Microsoft has discontinued HoloLens 2 and supports it with security fixes until 31 December 2027. Existing fleets can keep running, but new rollouts should plan on current devices such as Apple Vision Pro or Android XR headsets. Actarion supports all three, so your instructions move with you.
What worries teams with a HoloLens fleet?
- No successor device is announced, so the roadmap is unclear.
- Spare devices and repairs get harder to source.
- Instructions built for one headset may not run on the next.
- Management asks whether the AR investment was a dead end.
Conclusion first
HoloLens 2 is still a capable see-through headset for existing deployments until its support ends. For new projects, Apple Vision Pro offers a current, high-resolution passthrough experience, and Android XR headsets are an emerging option. Choose based on the task and your site, and keep your content device-independent.
Comparison table
| Criterion | Apple Vision Pro | Microsoft HoloLens 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Status (Nov 2026) | Current; M5-chip version announced October 2025 | Production discontinued; sold while stocks last |
| Software support | Ongoing (visionOS) | Critical security fixes until 31 Dec 2027 |
| How you see the room | Video passthrough (cameras show the room on displays) | Optical see-through (you look through the visor) |
| Battery | Up to 2.5 h general use per Apple, external battery pack | Built-in battery |
| Strength | Very sharp displays, strong hand and eye tracking | Proven in industry, direct view of surroundings |
| Watch out for | Weight and closed design; HSE review per task | End of life; no successor announced |
Sources: Microsoft partner notice as reported by Mixed; Apple announcement as reported by ChannelLife. Checked November 2026.
How do the criteria compare?
Availability. HoloLens 2 is end of life. Buying more units now is a short-term decision.
Display type. Optical see-through gives a direct view of the room, which some safety teams prefer. Video passthrough shows the room through cameras; image quality on Vision Pro is high, but you should assess each task with HSE.
Battery and comfort. Vision Pro uses an external battery; Apple states up to 2.5 hours of general use, longer when plugged in. Plan for task-length sessions.
Content. The bigger risk is locked-in content. If instructions are tied to one device, a device change means re-authoring.
When do you choose what?
- 1Keep HoloLens 2. if you have a working fleet; use the time until end of 2027 to plan migration.
- 2Choose Apple Vision Pro. for new projects needing high visual detail, training and remote expert support.
- 3Evaluate Android XR. if you prefer the Android ecosystem or need a different price or form factor.
- 4Use tablets. where headsets are not needed or not allowed.
How does Actarion help?
- Instructions are authored once and run on Vision Pro, HoloLens, Android XR and tablets.
- We help you migrate existing HoloLens use cases with minimal rework.
- Device tests are part of the pilot, on your own tasks.
- Every execution is logged, regardless of the device.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, with critical security and regression fixes until 31 December 2027, according to Microsoft's partner notice.
For many training, assembly and remote support tasks, yes. Check environment, safety and session length per use case.
Essentially yes. Instructions are built in DeepSight Studio and are not tied to one device: the same module can be published to HoloLens 2, Apple Vision Pro or a tablet. Do test per instruction whether 3D overlays and interactions work well on the new device.
