All users begin at the 'Visitor' rank (grey). Users of VRChat are classified into various 'trust levels', based on factors such as their use of the platform. The previous VRChat SDK2 was deprecated in February 2023, with the Udon-based 'SDK3' becoming mandatory for all future content.

Later in the year, VRChat began to implement a secondary application-'Creator Companion'-for managing projects and downloading community packages using a Unity Package Manager (UPM)-compatible format. In 2022, support for the Open Sound Control (OSC) protocol was added for more advanced interactions with external software and devices. A third-party compiler, UdonSharp, was developed to allow world scripts to be written in C#. While still considered alpha software, it became usable on publicly-accessible worlds beginning in April 2020. In 2020, VRChat introduced Udon, a visual programming language which uses a node graph system.

Some limitations exist in desktop mode, such as the inability to freely move an avatar's limbs, or perform interactions that require more than one hand. VRChat is also capable of running in 'desktop mode' without a VR headset, which is controlled using either a mouse and keyboard or a gamepad. Trends and variations of avatars spread through the community like memes, and avatars themselves are often distributed for free, or sold through online marketplaces such as Booth.

Player avatars are capable of supporting lip syncing, eye tracking, and blinking, in addition to mimicking head and hand motion. Avatars and worlds are created and uploaded by their users using a software development kit for Unity released alongside the game. The game is made up of thousands of connected worlds, in which players can interact with each other through virtual avatars. VRChat 's gameplay is similar to that of games such as Second Life and Habbo Hotel. VRChat was first released as a Windows application for the Oculus Rift DK1 prototype on January 16, 2014, and was later released to the Steam early access program on February 1, 2017. VRChat is designed primarily for use with virtual reality headsets, such as the Oculus Rift and Oculus Quest series, SteamVR headsets (such as HTC Vive), and Windows Mixed Reality, but is also usable without VR in a 'desktop' mode designed for either a mouse and keyboard or gamepad. The platform allows users to interact with others with user-created 3D avatars and worlds. VRChat is an online virtual world platform created by Graham Gaylor and Jesse Joudrey and operated by VRChat, Inc.

Poki plays vrchat