Needle vs. <model-viewer> vs. Verge3D

See how Needle, <model-viewer>, and Verge3D compare across key features and capabilities for usage on the web and creating XR experiences for designers, developers and teams.

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Web-first runtime integrated with Unity and Blender plugins, complemented by Needle Cloud for optimization and hosting.
Needle
A Google-developed web component for easily embedding interactive 3D models (glTF/GLB) and AR experiences into HTML pages.
<model-viewer>
A commercial toolkit for creating interactive 3D web experiences directly from Blender, 3ds Max, or Maya using visual scripting (Puzzles).
Verge3D
Core Platform & Workflow
Solution Type
3D Engine
Cloud Platform
Authoring Tool
Optimization Tool
Web Component
Needle
Solution Type: 3d-engine, cloud-platform, authoring-tool, optimization-tool, web-component
A comprehensive suite including a runtime engine, cloud services for optimization/hosting, authoring via Unity/Blender plugins, and embeddable web component output.
Web Component
<model-viewer>
Solution Type: web-component
A custom HTML element (<model-viewer>) designed for simple 3D model display and AR.
3D Engine
Authoring Tool
Framework
Verge3D
Solution Type: 3d-engine, authoring-tool, Framework
A toolkit comprising a WebGL-based engine and tools for exporting/adding interactivity (Puzzles) from DCC software.
Made for the web
Needle
Made for the web: Yes
Built from the ground up for the web, focusing on fast loading, efficient rendering, and cross-platform web deployment.
<model-viewer>
Made for the web: Yes
Focuses on ease of use, optimized loading (lazy loading, poster), and performance for web display.
Verge3D
Made for the web: Yes
Generates optimized output suitable for web deployment, mostly for product visualization use cases.
Typical Workflows
Unity Editor
Blender Editor
Code
HTML
Asset Upload
Needle
Typical Workflows: Unity Editor, Blender Editor, Code, HTML, Asset Upload
Primary workflow involves using Unity or Blender as the authoring environment, exporting scenes and logic. Custom scripts (TypeScript/JavaScript) extend functionality.
HTML
<model-viewer>
Typical Workflows: HTML
Used by adding the `<model-viewer>` tag to an HTML page and configuring via attributes.
DCC Integration
Visual Scripting
Verge3D
Typical Workflows: DCC Integration, Visual Scripting
Workflow centers around preparing scenes in Blender, 3ds Max, or Maya, then adding interactivity using the Puzzles visual editor.
Use with Unity
Needle
Use with Unity: Yes
Deep integration with Unity Editor via dedicated plugin, allowing export of scenes, C# scripts (transpiled), materials (Shader Graph), animations, and components.
<model-viewer>
Use with Unity: No
Consumes glTF files, which can be exported from Unity.
Verge3D
Use with Unity: No
Does not integrate with Unity.
Use with Blender
Needle
Use with Blender: Yes
Integration with Blender via addon, supporting export of scenes, materials, animations, and custom logic nodes.
<model-viewer>
Use with Blender: No
Consumes glTF files, which can be exported from Blender.
Verge3D
Use with Blender: Yes
Offers excellent, tight integration with Blender as a primary authoring tool.
Interactivity Building Blocks
Needle
Interactivity Building Blocks: Yes
Includes a rich set of components for common interactions, animations, and UI elements.
<model-viewer>
Interactivity Building Blocks: No
Provides built-in features for model display, camera controls, and AR placement, but not for broader interactivity.
Verge3D
Interactivity Building Blocks: Yes
Visual Puzzles system provides building blocks for common interactions and behaviors without coding.
Extensible with Coding
Needle
Extensible with Coding: Yes
Uses TypeScript with full IDE support in both Unity and standalone projects.
<model-viewer>
Extensible with Coding: No
Allows for JavaScript event handling and basic property manipulation via API, but not for extending core functionality.
Verge3D
Extensible with Coding: Yes
Supports JavaScript programming alongside or instead of the visual Puzzles system.
Engine Capabilities
Physically-Based Rendering
Needle
Physically-Based Rendering: Yes
Supports Physically Based Rendering (PBR), custom shaders (via Unity Shader Graph export), lighting, and post-processing effects.
Limited
<model-viewer>
Physically-Based Rendering: Limited
Supports PBR materials, environment maps, and basic lighting/shadow options, but no control over per-object shadows, reflection probes, lightmaps or other advanced rendering features.
Verge3D
Physically-Based Rendering: Yes
Leverages three.js features like PBR, aiming to accurately reproduce materials and lighting from the DCC tool.
Component System
Needle
Component System: Yes
Leverages the component-based architecture of Unity/Blender, extended with custom web-specific components.
<model-viewer>
Component System: No
Internal structure, not exposed as an ECS.
Verge3D
Component System: No
Logic is primarily driven by attaching Puzzles to objects imported from the DCC scene.
Built-in Networking
Needle
Built-in Networking: Yes
Built-in real-time networking for multiplayer and collaborative applications.
<model-viewer>
Built-in Networking: No
Not designed for networked experiences.
Limited
Verge3D
Built-in Networking: Limited
Networking features can be implemented via JavaScript/Puzzles using external services, but not built-in.
Timelines and Sequencing
Needle
Timelines and Sequencing: Yes
Supports timeline-based sequencing, complex animations, animator state machines, blending, and more.
<model-viewer>
Timelines and Sequencing: No
Can play animations embedded in glTF but has no built-in sequencing system.
Verge3D
Timelines and Sequencing: No
Sequencing can be programmed using Puzzles, but no dedicated sequencing tools.
Animation Controls
Needle
Animation Controls: Yes
Supports complex animations authored in Unity (Animator, Timeline) or Blender and exports them for the web.
<model-viewer>
Animation Controls: Yes
Can play animations embedded within the loaded glTF model.
Verge3D
Animation Controls: Yes
Imports and controls animations created in the host DCC application (Blender, Max, Maya).
Animated Materials
Needle
Animated Materials: Yes
Supports material animations, shader graph, and procedural material effects.
<model-viewer>
Animated Materials: No
Supports materials in the glTF, including basic animation defined in the model, but no dynamic material creation or animation.
Verge3D
Animated Materials: No
Supports dynamic material changes through Puzzles, but no animation clips for materials.
Audio Playback
Needle
Audio Playback: Yes
Supports spatial audio configured via Unity/Blender components.
<model-viewer>
Audio Playback: No
Does not have built-in audio features.
Verge3D
Audio Playback: Yes
Supports audio playback, including positional audio, controlled via Puzzles.
Video Playback
Needle
Video Playback: Yes
Supports video textures and playback controlled via components.
<model-viewer>
Video Playback: No
Does not directly support video textures.
Verge3D
Video Playback: Yes
Supports video textures controlled via Puzzles.
Physics Integration
Needle
Physics Integration: Yes
Integrates with physics engines, configured via Unity/Blender components.
<model-viewer>
Physics Integration: No
Focuses on model display, does not include physics.
Verge3D
Physics Integration: Yes
Physics can be enabled and controlled via Puzzles visual scripting.
glTF 3D Support
Excellent
Needle
glTF 3D Support: Excellent
Uses glTF as its core runtime format and supports import of various formats (FBX, USD, VRM etc.) which are converted.
<model-viewer>
glTF 3D Support: Yes
Designed specifically for loading and displaying glTF 2.0 models.
Verge3D
glTF 3D Support: Yes
Uses glTF as an intermediate format and exports glTF-based web applications.
Custom User Interfaces
Needle
Custom User Interfaces: Yes
Facilitates creation of UI using standard HTML/CSS and frontend frameworks, integrated with the 3D scene.
<model-viewer>
Custom User Interfaces: No
Provides basic interaction controls (orbit, pan, zoom) and hotspots. Customization primarily via HTML/CSS/JS API.
Verge3D
Custom User Interfaces: Yes
UI can be created using HTML elements manipulated by Puzzles.
Web Integration & Deployment
Web Component
Needle
Web Component: Yes
Exports projects as standard web components (<needle-engine> tag) for easy embedding into any HTML page or web application.
<model-viewer>
Web Component: Yes
It is fundamentally a web component.
Verge3D
Web Component: Yes
Can be embedded into web pages, often via iframe or direct script inclusion.
PWA Support
Needle
PWA Support: Yes
Being web-native, Needle Engine projects can be easily included in Progressive Web Apps for offline capabilities and installation.
<model-viewer>
PWA Support: No
Can be included in Progressive Web Apps but provides no specific PWA features itself.
Verge3D
PWA Support: Yes
Web apps created with Verge3D can be packaged as PWAs.
HTML/CSS Integration
Excellent
Needle
HTML/CSS Integration: Excellent
Designed to seamlessly integrate with HTML, CSS, and frontend frameworks (React, Vue, Svelte etc.), allowing blending of 2D UI and 3D content.
Excellent
<model-viewer>
HTML/CSS Integration: Excellent
Designed specifically for seamless integration into standard HTML pages.
Verge3D
HTML/CSS Integration: Yes
Puzzles allow interaction with HTML elements, enabling integration with web page UI.
Host Anywhere
Needle
Host Anywhere: Yes
The core runtime can be self-hosted on any static server. Needle Cloud features (optimization, hosting, analytics) require the cloud service.
<model-viewer>
Host Anywhere: Yes
Requires only static hosting for the component and model files.
Verge3D
Host Anywhere: Yes
Applications can be hosted on standard static web servers.
Asset Hosting
Needle
Asset Hosting: Yes
Needle Cloud provides managed hosting and CDN delivery for optimized assets.
<model-viewer>
Asset Hosting: No
Requires external hosting for the glTF/GLB model files.
Verge3D
Asset Hosting: No
Requires external hosting for the application files and assets.
App Hosting
Needle
App Hosting: Yes
Needle Cloud provides managed hosting and CDN delivery for optimized applications.
<model-viewer>
App Hosting: No
Requires external hosting for the HTML page and model files.
Verge3D
App Hosting: No
Requires external hosting for the application files and assets.
Performance & Optimization
Engine Size
Medium
Needle
Engine Size: Medium
Optimized runtime aims for minimal footprint, size depends on included features.
Small
<model-viewer>
Engine Size: Small
Relatively lightweight as it bundles a subset of three.js.
Medium
Verge3D
Engine Size: Medium
Based on three.js plus the Verge3D framework and Puzzles runtime.
Loading Performance
Excellent
Needle
Loading Performance: Excellent
Rapid development cycles and fast loading times through optimized runtime and asset handling.
Fast
<model-viewer>
Loading Performance: Fast
Implements strategies like lazy loading and posters for optimized loading experience.
Moderate/Fast
Verge3D
Loading Performance: Moderate/Fast
Aims for good loading performance, depending on scene complexity.
Runtime Performance
Excellent
Needle
Runtime Performance: Excellent
Designed for efficient rendering performance across desktop, mobile, and XR devices.
Good
<model-viewer>
Runtime Performance: Good
Offers good performance for its primary use case of displaying and interacting with single models.
High
Verge3D
Runtime Performance: High
Leverages three.js for efficient WebGL rendering.
Smart Asset Optimization
Excellent
Needle
Smart Asset Optimization: Excellent
Needle Cloud provides significant automated optimization: LOD generation, mesh optimization, extensive texture compression (Basis Universal, WebP, JPG, PNG) and resizing options.
<model-viewer>
Smart Asset Optimization: Yes
Handles progressive loading and encourages use of optimized formats like Draco and Basis Universal textures.
Verge3D
Smart Asset Optimization: No
Optimization relies on export from DCC tools.
Mesh and Texture LODs
Excellent
Needle
Mesh and Texture LODs: Excellent
Supports automatic mesh simplification, level-of-detail generation and automatic texture compression with multiple quality levels.
<model-viewer>
Mesh and Texture LODs: No
Relies on optimization being done in the source glTF file; no dynamic LOD system.
Verge3D
Mesh and Texture LODs: No
Basic support carried over from authoring tools, but no dynamic LOD system.
XR Support (AR/VR/Spatial)
VR Support (WebXR)
Needle
VR Support (WebXR): Yes
Supports VR headsets via the WebXR standard.
Limited
<model-viewer>
VR Support (WebXR): Limited
Supports viewing models in VR via WebXR, without interactivity.
Verge3D
VR Support (WebXR): Yes
Supports VR experiences via WebXR, controllable with Puzzles.
AR Support (WebXR)
Needle
AR Support (WebXR): Yes
Supports markerless WebAR on compatible Android devices via the WebXR standard.
Limited
<model-viewer>
AR Support (WebXR): Limited
Provides an AR button for viewing models in AR on compatible Android devices (via WebXR), without interactivity.
Verge3D
AR Support (WebXR): Yes
Supports AR via WebXR on compatible Android devices.
AR Support (iOS)
Needle
AR Support (iOS): Yes
Supports interactive markerless WebAR on iOS devices via WebXR.
Limited
<model-viewer>
AR Support (iOS): Limited
Provides an AR button for viewing static models in AR on iOS using Apple's AR Quick Look.
Verge3D
AR Support (iOS): Yes
Supports AR via WebXR on iOS, including object placement.
AR Support (visionOS)
Needle
AR Support (visionOS): Yes
Explicit support for creating spatial computing experiences deployable on visionOS.
Limited
<model-viewer>
AR Support (visionOS): Limited
Provides an AR button for viewing static models in AR on iOS using Apple's AR Quick Look.
Verge3D
AR Support (visionOS): No
No USDZ/QuickLook support.
AR Tracking Types
Surface
Image
Needle
AR Tracking Types: Surface, Image
Supports World Tracking via the WebXR standard on compatible devices. Image tracking is supported on iOS AR but requires a device-specific flag for Android AR.
Surface
<model-viewer>
AR Tracking Types: Surface
Supports World Tracking via WebXR (Android) and surface placement via AR Quick Look (iOS).
Surface
Verge3D
AR Tracking Types: Surface
Supports World Tracking via WebXR.
Ecosystem & Support
Official Support Availability
Needle
Official Support Availability: Yes
Dedicated support available for licensed users.
<model-viewer>
Official Support Availability: No
Support primarily through GitHub issues and community channels.
Verge3D
Official Support Availability: Yes
Support is included with the commercial license.
Learning Resources
Needle
Learning Resources: Yes
Extensive documentation, tutorials, live samples, and active community support.
Good
<model-viewer>
Learning Resources: Good
Excellent documentation site serves as the primary learning resource.
Good
Verge3D
Learning Resources: Good
Offers documentation, tutorials, and example applications.
License
Commercial
Needle
License: Commercial
Commercial license required for full features and deployment. Free evaluation available.
Open Source
<model-viewer>
License: Open Source
Available under the Apache License 2.0.
Commercial
Verge3D
License: Commercial
Requires purchasing a license (Freelance, Team, Enterprise tiers).

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