Who would’ve thought that Facebook (Meta), out of all the other technology companies, would lead virtual reality? Over the past few years, Mark Zuckerberg has done the unthinkable by giving away their most advanced standalone VR device at a loss so people can taste the future at an affordable price.
While competitors such as HTC Vive Cosmos, Valve Index, and more have maintained their high cost,Meta Quest 2has been selling like hotcakes at $399.99 a piece for a completely wireless experience that miraculously works pretty fine. Moreover,Quest 2 has some of the best virtual reality apps that are a must-experiencefor any owner.
Updated on June 15, 2025, by Rie Takumi:Meta Quest 2 headsets are easier to acquire now than in previous years, partly thanks to Meta Quest 3’s release. But Quest 2 remains popular and is selling more units than ever thanks to its lower price and a market for refurbished units. Killer apps also push units, even to non-traditional, non-gamer demographics.From productivity apps, to exercise guides and fun video games, the market forQuest 2-compatible appsoffers something for everyone. Players aren’t tied down to a single spot for most apps either. As standalone VR gear, users aren’t tied to other devices and all the apps they need are directly loaded onto the device.
$14.99
Flying simulator
Meta Quest 2 Store Rating
3.7 Stars (183 Ratings)
World Flightis aVR simulation gamefor users who can’t get flight lessons. Every session starts at the hangar, where players can choose between flying an airplane and a helicopter. Players can then set flight conditions, from country to specific locations, time and month, weather, and time scale.
Once in the cockpit, players can consult tutorial sheets to learn craft controls. The airplane and helicopter have realistic controls and take a bit of getting used to, but it’s worth it to fly over impressive recreation of famous locales.
4 Stars (95 Ratings)
Kurzgesagtis a popular YouTube channel known for putting complex and sometimes nihilistic topics in layman’s terms.Out of Scale: A Kurzgesagt Adventureexplores one of their popular videos in a fun in-depth VR experiencethat gamifies learning.
As a scientist curbing an experiment gone wrong, players must shrink giant ants, fungi, protists, and other microcreatures back to their real sizes. Scanning these creatures uncovers fun trivia and data they can use to view these organisms in sandbox mode. BigKurzgesagtfans can also watch their VR-enhanced videos within the Multiplayer Theater.
4 Stars (197 Rating)
Architecture and interior design are no-brainers when it comes to industries that can benefit from VR. WithArkio, architects and interior designers can iterate 3D models and view them at scale with intuitive controls and volumetric modeling.Arkio’s user-friendly scheme also makes it accessible to non-professionals who want a hobbyist version of the Buy/Build ModeofThe Sims.
American football, golf, and hockey are some of the most-watched sports in the US. Naturally, the NFL, PGA, and NHL approved the release of VR experiences on the Meta Quest 2 for mega fans. Aside from the chance to playfootball, golf, and hockeyon VR, these games feature robust training drills for players wanting to up their game in real life.
NFL Pro Era II’s free-play mode has trick-shot challenges and game drills for weekend QBs.Golf+actively records data and makes suggestions to improve a player’s game. US Hockey-approved training drills and plans feature inNHL Sense Arena, for skaters and goalies alike.
$9.99
4 Stars (1,462 Ratings)
Not everyone can afford airfare, much less hitch a ride to Antarctica.National Geographic Explorer VRallows everyone to visit the penguins in Antarctica, as well as Machu Picchu. The Meta Quest 2 app not only offers digital reconstructions of these amazing vistasbut also fun activitiesthat might be difficult to do in real life.
Players can kayak around icebergs in Antarctica, where they can swim around whales and penguins. They can even climb a traitorous ice shelf as they try to look for a penguin colony. Meanwhile, in Machu Picchu, they can encounter alpacas and witness sacred ceremonies.
4 Stars (2,615 Ratings)
Talking about health,Meta Quest 2 allows users to have much more than just physical fitness.TRIPPis a meditation app that helps people relax their mental states and become emotionally healthy. The Oculus store description states that this app instantaneously shifts users' moods to make them “happier, calmer, and more focused.”
It also allows people to enjoy guided meditations, explore unique worlds, heal through binaural sounds, practice breathing, and enjoy some interactive content.
4 Stars (4,017 Ratings)
With a four-star rating,Bigscreen Betausually gets buried under other high-rated apps. However, it deserves attention for what it brings to the table for Meta Quest 2 owners.Bigscreen Betais a free-to-use application that is essentially a virtual reality theater with tons of content.
It is also a social app, as it allows players to interact in multiplayer and co-op modes, allowing fans to get together and have a movie-watching experience without leaving the house.Bigscreen Betais also a good video player for VR and has over 50+ free channels to watch.
Language learning
4.1 Stars (2.2k Ratings)
Gamifying language learninghelps players retain language rules when other methods don’t work out. That’s why the education institute Pearson releasedMondly VR, an app that covers multiple aspects of language learning. The app covers reading, listening, and speaking in practical settings, simulated by the app’s decent VR environments.
Over 30 languages are available to practice through scenarios inspired by real life. Quest 2 users can try their hand at ordering coffee in Spanish, directing a taxi driver in German, or confirming their rooms in French, among other languages and activities.
Free (in-app purchases)
Work productivity
4.1 Stars (2.6k Ratings)
Quest 2’s market has a ton ofproductivity-focused apps, butImmersedis a cut above the rest. Instead of spending a ton on multiple screens, players can tap intoImmersed’s AR workspace to project multiple workscreens and a virtual keyboard up.
Teams with multiple Quest 2 units can also hold virtual meetings where they can easily project screens without the need for extra equipment. Aside from that, co-working is made easier thanks to a virtual cafe that users can freely utilize.
$24.99
Cooking simulator
4.3 Stars (1.1K Ratings)
Depending on how enthusiastic the player flips burgers,Cooking Simulator VRcan double as aninadvertent fitness game. The viral hit game allows players to do a lot with its relatively realistic physics, including playing ball with various ingredients. But the act of cooking alone can be physically intense, especially when the clock is ticking and the player’s a few steps behind.
Despite that,Cooking Simulator VRcan also be relaxing. Stocked with a full kitchen of over 140 ingredients and all sorts of cooking gear, players can practice or learn how to cook new dishes or work with tools they couldn’t in real life.
