In this article, we will discuss the 8 Best Augmented Reality Stocks Under $5 to Buy.

As per Ericsson, smartphones are central to the AR experience in the US and this technology’s role continues to evolve. Once simple gateways to AR, smartphones are now sophisticated platforms bridging the physical and the digital worlds and empowering AR content creation and consumption. The convergence of artificial intelligence (AI), mainly Generative AI (GenAI), and AR is expected to become the catalyst for bringing XR into mainstream life.

Future Trends in AR

As per Appinventiv, autonomous vehicles continue to become more and more popular in the world. The integration of AR into these vehicles continues to help the broader AR industry. The use of AR technology in autonomous vehicles hints at substantial improvement in the realms of transportation safety and efficiency, as per AZoRobotics. Through overlaying digital data in the real world, AR technology helps boost comprehension of the environment for the driver and the autonomous system. As a result, the combination of AR and AV technologies helps in creating a safer, more efficient, and intuitive driving experience.

As per Grand View Research, global augmented reality in automotive market size was pegged at USD 10.41 billion in 2023. This should grow at a CAGR of 41.2% from 2024 to 2030. With the help of AR technology in showrooms, consumers can interact with virtual 3D models of vehicles. This will enable them to visualize several customizations.

The integration of 5G into AR/VR landscapes is expected to revolutionize industries. As per Idea Usher, one business application is the investment in cloud-based AR/VR solutions, leveraging 5G’s low latency and high bandwidth. This should enable seamless remote collaboration and data streaming.

Next, the advent of WebAR has been gaining significant traction. Web-based Augmented Reality is a relatively new technology and, in this, the mobile application is not required to function. Market experts believe that WebAR should help in enhancing accessibility and user engagement. This is done by combining digital content with physical environments. Future trends among these consist of IoT devices, hardware improvements, and 5G connectivity.

Market Drivers of Augmented Reality

The AR market has seen significant growth due to the dramatic increase in investments. Leading technology giants continue to pump billions of dollars into the AR sector. As per SkyQuest, the largest investment is going into training and industrial maintenance, with the figure sitting at US$4.1 billion in the field of AR. Apart from this, private firms, VCs, and some governments are financing the research institutes. The company believes that industries including consumer, aerospace and defense, healthcare, and retail form the user base of AR.

Additionally, the hospitals and other medical care setups continue to see the use of immersive modalities to help healthcare professionals. As per SkyQuest, the AR in the healthcare industry is expected to hold a market size of US$1.2 billion by 2024. The surgeons are dependent on AR to tackle the risks involved. This results in fewer errors and accordingly unsafe surgeries.

Our Methodology

To list the 8 Best Augmented Reality Stocks Under $5 to Buy, we used the Finviz screener and sifted through several online rankings. After getting the list of 25-30 stocks, we extracted the ones trading at lower than $5 and narrowed our list to the following 8 stocks. Finally, we arranged the stocks in the ascending order of their hedge fund sentiments, as of Q2 2024.

Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).

8 Best Augmented Reality Stocks Under $5 to Buy

8) ImagineAR Inc. (OTC:IPNFF)

Stock Price as of 18 October: $0.0757

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: N/A

ImagineAR Inc. (OTC:IPNFF) offers engaging and interactive content to users via a cloud-based augmented reality (AR) platform under the ImagineAR brand name.

Wall Street expects that ImagineAR Inc. (OTC:IPNFF)’s expansive patent portfolio should continue to act as the primary tailwind. The company announced that it has retained global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP. The collaboration further strengthens the company’s commitment to safeguard and maximize the value of its cutting-edge patent portfolio and underscores ImagineAR Inc. (OTC:IPNFF)’s strong dedication to defending its intellectual property as it continues to revolutionize the AR landscape.

Moving forward, the company’s innovational capabilities are expected to support its long-term growth. Furthermore, in a bid to strengthen its market position, ImagineAR Inc. (OTC:IPNFF) signed a 3-year SDK platform license agreement with S3iai to deliver immersive AR experiences integrated with proprietary GenAI interactions for a client project.

ImagineAR Inc. (OTC:IPNFF) focuses on integrating its patented global AR self-publishing platform with proprietary LLM (Large Language Model) interactive platforms. The recent multi-year agreement expects to be the transition to the next generation of AR solutions fully immersive with GenAI.

The company revealed that it saw a positive response from Queens Park Rangers (QPR) Football Club fans who were taking videos and photos with their favorite players from the QPR mobile app. This was the first UK Professional Soccer team that integrated the ImagineAR SDK into their mobile app developed and supported by mobile app developer Urban Zoo. ImagineAR Inc. (OTC:IPNFF) plans to leverage the implementation to market the SDK platform to several other UK clubs.

7) Nextech3D.AI Corporation (OTC:NEXCF)

Stock Price as of 18 October: $0.0500

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: N/A

Nextech3D.AI Corporation (OTC:NEXCF) offers augmented reality technologies, wayfinding technologies, and 3D model services.

Wall Street analysts believe that Nextech3D.AI Corporation (OTC:NEXCF)’s gross margin should continue to expand through the end of 2024. The improvement should stem from better operating leverage within the company. Moreover, as and when Amazon starts promoting Nextech3D.AI Corporation (OTC:NEXCF)’s 3D modeling services to its merchants, it can see strong growth in its revenues. This new development, which might take some time to scale, should have a significant positive impact and can lead Nextech3D.AI Corporation (OTC:NEXCF)’s growth trajectory.

Further optimism for revenue generation stems from the pursuit of enterprise contracts by Nextech3D.AI Corporation (OTC:NEXCF).  Earlier in the year, it landed a $1.8 Million 3D Modeling Deal with NASDAQ 100 Technology Company. Wall Street is optimistic about the company’s acquisition of augmented reality (AR) try-on technology from Designhubz. The company continues to strengthen its position in the market and platform in 3D and AR technologies and this acquisition complements its existing tech.

The integration of Designhubz’s advanced AR technology should enable Nextech3D.AI Corporation (OTC:NEXCF)’s result in enhancing product engagement.

The company’s strategic move to India in late 2023 was successful in enhancing its cost structure and scalability. The investment in AI technology has streamlined its operations and positioned it at the forefront of innovation in the 3D modeling industry. Such initiatives should result in long-term growth and a competitive edge. Moving forward, Nextech3D.AI Corporation (OTC:NEXCF) can see meaningful revenue growth as it continues to secure additional enterprise 3D modeling contracts.