Snapchat lenses allow users to augment their selfies and photos with fun effects and filters. There are thousands of Snapchat lenses available, spanning cute animal faces, flashy effects, branded content and more. While Snapchat provides some basic lenses in-app, the vast majority are created by third-party developers using specialized lens creator apps. These apps make it easy for anyone to make custom Snapchat lenses for themselves, friends or to submit for broad use in the Snapchat app.
Snapchat Lens Studio
The most popular and fully-featured lens creation app is Lens Studio by Snap Inc. Lens Studio is Snapchat’s official lens creator tool for developing advanced augmented reality lenses. It provides templates, full SDK access and tools to create almost any type of Snapchat lens imaginable.
Lens Studio is completely free to use. It’s available for Windows and Mac computers. No prior coding knowledge is required to get started, though some basic understanding of graphics and AR programming helps for creating really complex lenses. Lens Studio has templates and examples to make simple face lenses in just minutes with no coding required.
Some key features of Lens Studio include:
- Face mesh and body tracking tools
- 3D model importer
- Interactive objects, sprites and sequences
- Custom shaders and materials
- Visual scripting logic system
- Snapchat AR camera and lens simulator
- Templates for pet, face, world lenses and more
- SnapML machine learning integration
- Built-in snapcode generator
- Lens publishing to Snapchat
With Lens Studio, developers have created all kinds of innovative and fun lenses. Top Snapchat lenses built with Lens Studio include the rainbow puking lens, 3D dancing hotdog, Disney princess face lenses and hundreds more.
Other Snapchat Lens Apps
In addition to Lens Studio, there are a few other apps that allow creating custom Snapchat lenses in different capacities:
Meta Spark Studio
Spark Studio from Meta (formerly Facebook) is a web-based AR creative tool. It allows anyone to create basic augmented reality filters and lenses. Users can add 2D images, 3D objects, text, music, and more to lenses. These can then be published for use on Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat.
Spark Studio doesn’t require any coding knowledge. Their templates and customization tools make it simple to put together basic but compelling AR effects. Compared to Lens Studio, Spark offers fewer advanced coding options. But it provides a much quicker and easier onboarding process.
Voir
Voir is a smartphone app for both iOS and Android devices. It provides templates and customization tools to create Snapchat-compatible lenses on your phone. Voir makes it easy to design lenses on the go with a mobile-first approach.
After selecting a template, users can customize the lens with different facial and object tracks, textures, 2D/3D elements, filters and modifications. Completed Voir lenses can be exported and submitted to Snapchat for approval just like Lens Studio creations. The lenses even include a branded Voir icon.
Banuba
Banuba offers both a smartphone app and a desktop editor for AR lens creation. Their Banuba AR SDK incorporates face tracking and expression detection technology. On the smartphone app, lenses can be designed with beauty filters, 3D objects, masks, backgrounds, music and more.
The Banuba Editor provides more advanced customization and publishing options. Creators can add motion graphics, particles, physics simulations and other effects. Banuba lenses are optimized for TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram and other popular apps. The company also provides white label SDK integrations.
Getting Started Creating Snapchat Lenses
Here are some tips for getting started with developing your own custom Snapchat lenses using Lens Studio, Spark AR Studio, Voir or Banuba:
Pick Your Platform
Determine whether you want to create lenses on desktop or mobile. Lens Studio requires Windows or Mac. Spark AR Studio is web-based. Voir and Banuba offer mobile apps. Evaluate their templates and features to see which is best for your needs.
Follow Interactive Demos
The platforms offer step-by-step interactive guides to build your first lenses. Follow their template demos to quickly put together some basic lenses to learn the workflow. Lens Studio has the most comprehensive set of tutorials.
Start Simple
Don’t get too ambitious with your first few lenses. Try modifying template lenses first before designing complex lenses from scratch. Get comfortable with the platform’s tools using simple textures, objects and sequences.
Test on Snapchat
Frequently test your lenses on Snapchat using the platform’s simulator or export features. See how they look and function in real Snapchat AR. Get feedback from friends before submitting to Snap.
Polish and Publish
Refine your lens with additional effects, animations and optimizations. Add descriptive metadata then publish to Snapchat’s Lens Explorer. Promote your lens to start building a user base. Analyze usage metrics to improve your future designs.
Snapchat Lens Creation Platform Comparisons
Lens Studio
- Official Snapchat tool
- Windows & Mac app
- Full developer capabilities
- 3D model imports
- Machine learning integration
- Steep learning curve
- Must submit lenses to Snapchat for approval
Spark AR Studio
- Owned by Meta
- Web-based platform
- No coding required
- Simple drag-and-drop tools
- Fast setup with templates
- Limited customization options
- Mainly 2D effects
Voir
- Mobile app for iOS & Android
- Handful of templates
- Facial tracking with some 3D
- Add emojis, objects, colors & more
- Must submit lenses to Snapchat
- Limited animation capabilities
Banuba
- Mobile and desktop apps
- Hundreds of templates and effects
- Proprietary AR face tracking
- 2D/3D graphics, particles & simulations
- Cross-platform lens publishing
- Monthly subscription plan
Getting Snapchat Lenses Approved
To have your custom lenses published globally in the Snapchat app, you need to submit them for review and approval by Snap first. Here are some tips for successfully getting your lenses approved by Snapchat:
Follow Lens Guidelines
Carefully adhere to Snapchat’s documented lens community guidelines around quality, performance, originality, branding and other criteria. Avoid anything illegal, dangerous or infringing.
Describe Your Lens
Provide an informative, engaging lens title and description so users understand what your lens aims to accomplish. Include relevant keywords for discoverability.
Include Interactive Elements
Lenses with multiple stages, interactive triggers and fun reveals have the best shot at approval. Static lenses often get rejected.
Check Performance on Different Devices
Test your lens thoroughly on both iOS and Android. Confirm it works smoothly across Snapchat’s supported devices and doesn’t crash.
Make it Visually Appealing
Polished visuals are key. Apply appropriate lighting, textures, animations and effects to render well in the Snapchat camera.
Add Sound (Optional)
Music and SFX elevate the lens experience. But ensure audio levels are balanced and non-repetitive.
Follow Brand Guidelines (For Branded Lenses)
If creating branded lenses for commercial use, carefully follow Snapchat’s branded content policies and get necessary rights and permissions.
With persistence and consistently improving the uniqueness, quality and reliability of your lens designs, you can build up an audience on Snapchat. Popular lenses can earn their creators money through Snapchat’s incentive programs.
Conclusion
Snapchat’s lens creator platforms like Lens Studio make it possible for anyone to develop fun custom lenses for themselves and others. While a learning curve is involved, the tools provide everything necessary to design innovative lenses that augment the Snapchat camera experience. With creativity and determination, it’s possible to reach millions of Snapchatters with novel lenses that delight and entertain.