Like OpenSim, with which the project collaborates and from which it derives much of its code, realXtend is intended to allow individuals and groups to set up and browse their own virtual worlds without having to be connected to much larger worlds like Second Life.

The realXtend viewer uses the OGRE engine, and it provides real-time shadows, improved lighting simulation, meshes and realistic avatars.

The viewer connects to the OpenSim codebase trunk via the separate ModRex[2] utility.

It makes use of OpenSim's contributions policy, and, like Taiga, is relicensed under the Apache License v2.

Unlike OpenSim, Taiga packages and integrates the ModRex and ModCableBeach utilities (the latter of which provides access to the ROBUST inventory,[3] assets grid services, implements an webdav inventory/avatars and OpenID authentication).