The global metaverse market is projected to reach $936.6 billion by 2030, according to Grand View Research. That’s not a niche trend — it’s a shift in how people work, meet, and build things together online.
But here’s the thing: you’ve probably heard “metaverse” hundreds of times by now and still aren’t sure how to actually get in. The term gets thrown around in earnings calls, tech blogs, and LinkedIn posts, yet the practical steps stay frustratingly vague. Do you need a headset? Which platform? Is any of this actually useful for your work?
It doesn’t have to be complicated. This guide shows you how to enter the metaverse step by step — from choosing your entry point to joining your first virtual meeting. No prior experience required.
What Is the Metaverse, Really?
The metaverse refers to shared, persistent virtual spaces where people interact in real time — think 3D environments you can walk through, build in, and collaborate across, rather than flat web pages you scroll. These spaces persist whether you’re logged in or not, and they’re becoming increasingly interconnected.
It’s not just gaming. Businesses use metaverse platforms for meetings, employee training, design reviews, and remote collaboration. The industrial metaverse is already reshaping how manufacturing and engineering teams prototype and test products without physical materials. If you want to learn about the metaverse beyond the buzzwords, the best move is to simply step inside one.
Related: What Is Virtual Reality? A Plain-Language Primer (coming soon)
How to Get Into the Metaverse: 5 Steps
Step 1: Decide How You Want to Enter
There are three main paths to enter the metaverse, and the right one depends on what you already have and what you want to do.
Browser or desktop app. Many platforms run directly in your web browser or through a downloadable desktop client. This is the lowest-friction way to access the metaverse — open a link, create an account, and you’re in.
Mobile app. Several major platforms have mobile versions. The experience is smaller and more limited, but it works for getting a feel for things.
VR headset. This is the full immersive experience — spatial audio, hand tracking, a genuine sense of presence. But here’s what matters: you don’t need a headset to get on the metaverse. Most platforms offer free tiers that work on hardware you already own.
That accessibility is driving real adoption. Metaverse platforms collectively host an estimated 600 to 700 million monthly active users, according to DemandSage. Many of those people started on a laptop or phone before ever touching a headset.
Step 2: Choose Your Hardware
If you’re exploring without a headset, you’re already set. A laptop, desktop, or recent smartphone is enough for browser-based and mobile metaverse experiences. Make sure you have a stable internet connection and a decent microphone if you plan to join voice-enabled spaces.
If you want the immersive route, here’s the current landscape:
- Starter VR: The Meta Quest 3 (around $500) is the most popular entry point — standalone, no PC required, solid library of apps. The older Quest 2 still works fine for most platforms if you’re buying on a budget.
- High-end spatial computing: The Apple Vision Pro sits at the premium end, blending virtual and physical environments. It’s impressive but expensive, and the app ecosystem is still growing.
Don’t overthink hardware. Start with what you have. Upgrade later if the experience clicks for you.
Step 3: Pick a Platform and Jump In
The metaverse isn’t one place — it’s many platforms, each built around different activities. How to get started in the metaverse depends entirely on what you want to do there.
Gaming and social. Roblox, VRChat, and Fortnite’s creative mode are massive, well-established spaces with millions of active users. They’re great for getting comfortable with 3D navigation and avatar-based interaction.
Work and collaboration. If your goal is professional — meetings, workshops, team collaboration — platforms like raum.app, Horizon Workrooms, and Spatial are built for exactly that. These focus on productivity features like virtual whiteboards, screen sharing, and spatial audio that makes group conversations feel natural.
Events and experiences. Virtual concerts, conferences, and art exhibitions are becoming common. Platforms like Spatial and various event-specific apps host these regularly.
The best advice: start with what matches your goal. Wondering how to explore the metaverse? If it’s for work, go straight to a collaboration platform. If you’re curious about the social side, jump into VRChat or Roblox. You can always branch out later.
Step 4: Join Your First Virtual Meeting
Your first virtual meeting will feel different from a video call — in a good way. Instead of a grid of faces on a screen, you’ll be represented by an avatar in a shared 3D space. You can move around, sit at a table, walk up to a whiteboard, and have side conversations that don’t interrupt the whole room.
That spatial element matters more than you’d expect. Research published in Scientific Reports (2024) found that VR meetings foster a significantly more collaborative environment and deeper engagement compared to standard video calls. The sense of presence changes how people interact.
Platforms like raum.app and Horizon Workrooms let you step into a meeting room with colleagues in minutes — setup is minimal. You’ll typically customize a basic avatar, enter a room link, and start talking. Spatial audio means voices come from the direction of the person speaking, which makes group discussions feel remarkably natural.
Step 5: Go Deeper
Once you’ve attended your first session, the question shifts from “how do I get into the metaverse” to “what else can I do here?”
The answer keeps expanding. Companies use metaverse environments for employee onboarding, safety training, architectural walkthroughs, and product design reviews. PwC’s enterprise study found that VR learners completed courses four times faster than classroom learners and were 275% more confident applying their skills afterward.
If you want to live in the metaverse rather than just visit, start by following communities on platforms you enjoy, attending virtual events, and experimenting with use cases relevant to your work. The technology is evolving fast — new features, better hardware, and broader platform support roll out regularly.
The metaverse is still early. Getting in now means shaping how your team uses it, rather than catching up later.
FAQs
How do you get into the metaverse?
You can enter the metaverse through three main paths: a web browser on your computer, a mobile app on your phone, or a VR headset for the full immersive experience. Most platforms let you create a free account and jump in within minutes. No special technical skills are required — if you can join a video call, you can access the metaverse.
Do I need a VR headset for the metaverse?
No. Many metaverse platforms work through standard web browsers and mobile apps, so you can explore without any special hardware. That said, a VR headset delivers the full experience — spatial audio, hand tracking, and a genuine sense of being in the room with other people. Think of it as the difference between watching a concert on your phone versus being there.
Is the metaverse free?
Most platforms offer free tiers that give you access to core features. Roblox, VRChat, and several collaboration platforms don’t charge anything to get started. The main cost is hardware if you decide to go the VR route, but since browser and mobile access exist, you can try everything at zero cost first.
How do I access the metaverse on my phone?
Download a metaverse app from your device’s app store. Roblox and VRChat both have mobile versions with large active communities. Some collaboration and event platforms also offer mobile clients. The experience is more limited than VR or desktop — smaller screen, no spatial immersion — but it’s a perfectly valid way to start exploring.
What can you actually do in the metaverse?
More than most people expect. On the professional side: virtual meetings, team workshops, employee training, product demos, and design reviews. On the social side: gaming, concerts, art galleries, and community hangouts. Enterprise adoption is accelerating as companies discover that spatial collaboration tools solve real problems around remote work, engagement, and training effectiveness.
Is the metaverse still relevant in 2026?
Very much so. The projected market growth to $936.6 billion by 2030 reflects sustained enterprise investment, not just consumer hype. Major companies are deploying metaverse solutions for training, collaboration, and customer engagement. The technology has matured past the early buzz cycle into practical, measurable applications — especially in remote work and the industrial metaverse. If anything, 2026 is when it starts getting genuinely useful for everyday professionals.