Application toolkits

If you require more device independence plus higher-level interactive features, consider the open source Virtual Reality ToolKit (VRTK) at https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/tools/vrtk-virtual-reality-toolkit-vr-toolkit-64131 and NewtonVR (https://github.com/TomorrowTodayLabs/NewtonVR). These Unity plugins provide a framework for developing VR applications with support for multiple platforms, locomotion, interactions, and UI controls. NewtonVR focuses mostly on physics interactions. VRTK is built on top of the Unity built-in VR support plus the device-specific prefabs, so it's not instead of but is a wrapper on top of those SDKs.

It is worth mentioning at this point that Unity is working on its own toolkit, the XR Foundation Toolkit (XRFT) at https://blogs.unity3d.com/2017/02/28/updates-from-unitys-gdc-2017-keynote/ which will include:

• Cross-platform controller input
• Customizable physics systems
• AR/VR-specific shaders and camera fades
• Object snapping and building systems
• Developer debugging and profiling tools
• All major AR and VR hardware systems