ActiveWorlds is a competitor to Second Life. Much the same, you can create your own avatar that can change appearance. You can shop (e-commerce), chat, build, create, and play games. A special free downloadble software is needed. Click the screen shot to get to the ActiveWorlds Website to sign up for a free account.

ActiveWorlds also offer buddy lists, IM, and teleporting to join friends in different places of this virtual world. ActiveWorlds is international just like Second Life.

According to the ActiveWorlds website this virtual environment consists of over 1000 worlds and "some of the popular public building worlds include Yellowstone, Mars, Metatropolis, Atlantis, and of course the original AlphaWorld." There is also an AW School where community volunteers to walk members through some of the finer tips and tricks of building to help members get building.

ActiveWorlds has an Active Worlds Educational Universe that was developed as a result from demand from educators from around the real world. In this community space educational institutions, teachers, students, and programs may meet and explore new concepts, socialize, create curriculum, and discuss how the activeWorlds environment can be used as an educational tool.