Start Beyond vs Firsthand XR
The short verdict
Start Beyond is an established Australian VR and AR training studio. It builds custom programs, sells off-the-shelf products like Manual Handling VR, and lists LMS integration, SSO and security certifications. If you need a custom build with enterprise procurement ticks, start there.
Firsthand XR is a simulation platform rather than a studio. It is the better fit if you want interactive clinical and emergency scenarios with a live patient engine, scoring, team sessions and mixed reality.
Last checked 12 November 2026. Every claim about Start Beyond links to Start Beyond’s own public pages. Spot something out of date? Tell us and we will fix it.
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Where Start Beyond is strong
- Start Beyond is based in Sydney with offices in Melbourne and Brisbane, and has worked with organisations such as St John Ambulance.
- It lists LMS integration, SSO and role-based access, plus ISO 27001 certification and SOC 2 attestations.
- Its Manual Handling VR is built around the HLTWHS005 unit.
Side by side
| Feature | Start Beyond | Firsthand XR |
|---|---|---|
| Model | VR and AR training studio with custom builds and off-the-shelf products.[1] | Simulation platform with a scenario library and packs per industry. |
| Off-the-shelf products | Minaca VR (de-escalation), Manual Handling VR, VOMA (paediatric oral assessment) and Sacadi VR (aged care and disability).[2] | Clinical, first aid, mining and industrial, defence and EV scenarios. See the library. |
| Devices | Oncio platform spans VR, AR, mobile, tablet and desktop. Manual Handling VR packs ship with Pico headsets and a tablet.[1][3] | Meta Quest 3, PICO, PC VR and HoloLens 2. 6DoF, room-scale, with or without controllers. |
| Live patient simulation | Not described on the pages we reviewed.[1][2] | Live patient engine. Vitals respond to what the trainee does. |
| Mixed reality | AR is part of the studio’s offer.[1] | Yes. Passthrough mode places the scenario in your real room. |
| Analytics and LMS | Tracks confidence, completion and decision-making metrics. LMS integration, SSO and role-based access.[1] | LTI 1.3, xAPI, a SCORM package and single sign-on, set up with your IT team during onboarding. Analytics are coming. No certifications claimed yet. |
| Security certifications | ISO 27001 certification and SOC 2 Type 1 and Type 2 attestations.[1] | None claimed yet. |
| Offline use | Manual Handling VR lists no internet required.[3] | Scenarios run on standalone headsets. Team sessions need a shared local network. |
Choose Start Beyond if
- You want a custom VR or AR program built around your own site and staff.
- You need security certifications such as ISO 27001 and SOC 2 in place for procurement now.
- You want manual handling or de-escalation training today.
Choose Firsthand XR if
- You need clinical or emergency simulation with vitals that respond to actions.
- You want scored debriefs and team sessions with roles.
- You want one platform across nursing, first aid, mining, defence and EV trades.
- You want regional packs for Australia, the USA and Indonesia.
Questions people ask
Are you an Australian company too?
Yes. Firsthand XR is based in Australia, with packs for Australia, the USA and Indonesia/Asia.
Do you have manual handling training?
Manual handling is in our pipeline. Start Beyond’s Manual Handling VR is available today.
Do you integrate with our LMS?
Yes, through LTI 1.3, xAPI or a SCORM package, with single sign-on. We set this up with your IT team during onboarding.
Sources
Product and company names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to identify their products. This page is our own comparison and is not endorsed by any company named. Information about other products is taken from their public websites on the date shown and may have changed.
See it in a headset
Book a 30-minute demo. We will run a scenario live, talk through your training units and scope a pilot that fits your team.