When you download the free client, you are getting two experiences in one:
Both modes are included in the single, free download. vrchat client free
This is the "gold standard." It supports both Desktop Mode (keyboard/mouse) and VR headsets (Index, Vive, Rift, Pico, etc.). When you download the free client, you are
Let’s clear the air immediately. The official VRChat client is 100% free to download and use. There is no subscription fee, no "premium tier" to enter popular rooms, and no paywall locking you out of creating an avatar. Both modes are included in the single, free download
VRChat Inc. operates on a "freemium" model—but unlike predatory mobile games, the paid features (VRChat+ subscription) are purely cosmetic. For the standard user, the free client offers:
No. The "Desktop Mode" is fully supported. You move with WASD keys, look with the mouse, and talk with your standard microphone. Roughly 40% of the user base is on Desktop.