Overte
Paderborn, Germany
What it is
Overte is free, open-source software for creating and sharing virtual worlds through VR and desktop experiences. People can host worlds, explore, meet other users, and attend or host live VR events. World creation and editing can be collaborative, and VR support includes body tracking. The site says one world can scale to up to 500 users. JavaScript scripting can add games, interactables, UI elements and custom applications, and users can import 3D objects into their environments. Overte includes spatial audio and physics powered by the Bullet physics engine. It runs on Linux and Windows and can be self-hosted: users can run a server from home, with no central authority or required user account. Downloads include Linux and Windows releases, source code and Docker images. The software is released under the Apache 2.0 license. Overte e.V., a non-profit association registered in Germany, is behind the project; membership is not required to use or develop it. Community discussion is available through Matrix and Discord, with the Matrix Space bridged to Discord. Documentation covers security for Interface and servers, including crash reporting and asset security.
For and against
For
- Collaborative world creation and editing
- VR support includes body tracking
- Worlds can scale to up to 500 users
- Free and open source under Apache 2.0
Against
- Listed releases support Linux and Windows
- Self-hosting requires running a server
- No free trial is listed
The verdict
Overte combines collaborative world building, social VR and self-hosting in free open-source software. It supports Linux and Windows, and a user account is not required.
Who it suits
It suits people who want to build, host or visit shared virtual worlds on Linux or Windows, through VR or desktop. Self-hosting is an option, and the software does not require a user account.
Plans and prices
Overte
Open-source virtual worlds and social VR software · Apache 2.0 license
Read 7 Oct 2026 · overte.org
On the record
- Audio and physics
- Overte lists high quality low latency spatial audio and physics powered by the Bullet physics engine.overte.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The downloads page lists Linux and Windows releases, source code, and Docker images.overte.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Importing 3D objects
- The documentation says users can import any 3D object into their virtual environment.docs.overte.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Integrations and community
- The project links to Matrix and Discord for discussion, and says its Matrix Space is bridged to Discord.overte.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Open source
- Overte is fully open source under the Apache 2.0 license.overte.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Organization
- Overte e.V. is the association behind Overte and is a non-profit association registered in Germany; association membership is not required to use or develop the software.overte.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The website privacy policy says overte.org uses log files that collect IP addresses, browser type, ISP, timestamps, referring and exit pages, and possibly click counts; it says these are not linked to personally identifiable information.overte.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Overte lets people create and share virtual worlds as VR and desktop experiences, host worlds, explore, meet users, and attend or host live VR events.overte.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Scripting
- JavaScript scripting can be used to create games, interactables, UI elements, and custom applications.overte.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Security
- The documentation provides security information for Interface, the server, and the metaverse server, with sections on crash reporting and asset security.docs.overte.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Self hosting and accounts
- The site says there is no central authority, users can run a server from home, and no user account is required.overte.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- VR
- VR support includes body tracking.overte.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- World building
- The software supports collaborative world creation and editing.overte.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- World capacity
- The site says a single world can scale to up to 500 users.overte.org · read 7 Oct 2026
