Matterport Virtual Tour Vs Google 360 Tour
Choosing Between a Matterport Virtual Tour and Google 360 Tour
Virtual tours have become an essential tool for businesses looking to showcase their spaces online. Whether you’re in hospitality, education or retail, a well-executed virtual tour can make all the difference in engaging potential clients.
But when it comes to choosing between a Matterport virtual tour and a Google 360 tour, how do you decide which one is right for you?
Let's break it down.
The main distinction between Matterport and Google 360 tours lies in the level of interactivity and detail they provide. While both serve the purpose of digitally showcasing a space, they do so in slightly different ways.
Matterport Virtual Tours
These offer a high-tech, fully immersive experience. Using a specialised 3D camera and software, Matterport creates a detailed 3D model of your space. Viewers can virtually “walk” through the area, navigate room to room, and interact with various elements. Think of it as creating a digital twin of your property that people can explore at their leisure.
Pros:
- Highly immersive and interactive.
- Superior image quality and detail.
- Great for industries that need to showcase their property in the best light
- Provides added functionality like measurement tools and options to create multimedia annotations and interactive features
Cons:
- Are often more expensive to create.
- Requires specialised equipment and software.
- Hosting may come with additional costs.
Google 360° Tours
Google 360 tours offer a simple way to showcase your space online. Using panoramic photography and Google’s Street View technology, these tours provide a basic 360-degree representation of your property. Viewers can click and drag to navigate through rooms, offering a limited but useful virtual experience.
Pros:
- Affordable and quick to produce.
- Increases visibility on Google search and maps, boosting local SEO (although Matterport Tours can be uploaded to Google too)
- Simple and effective for small businesses like cafes, gyms, and retail shops.
- Easily integrated into Google My Business listings.
Cons:
- Less immersive than Matterport.
- Limited interactivity.
- No advanced options like interactive features, measurement tools or dollhouse views.
| Feature | Google 360 Tours | Matterport Tours |
|---|---|---|
| Immersion Level | Basic – Panoramic images stitched together | High – Full 3D walk-through with smooth navigation |
| Interactivity | Limited – No embedded videos or clickable tags | Extensive – Multimedia tags, videos, and information pop-ups |
| Visual Quality | Good – High-quality panoramic images | Exceptional – Detailed, lifelike 3D models |
| Floor Plans/Dollhouse View | Not available | Available – Dollhouse view and automatic floor plans |
| Measurement Tools | Not available | Available – Measure rooms directly within the tour |
| Integration | Directly on Google Maps and Business Profiles | Embedded on websites, VR-ready, and custom platforms |
| Search Visibility | Boosts Google search and map visibility | Drives traffic directly to your website |
| Cost | Lower – Budget-friendly entry-level option | Higher – Reflects advanced features and quality |
| Ease of Access | Accessible on Google platforms | Accessible on all devices, with VR and AR compatibility |
| Engagement | Limited – Users passively explore | High – Interactive features enhance user engagement |
| Recommended For | Budget-conscious users looking for simple online visibility | Users wanting an immersive, interactive, and premium experience |
Final Thoughts
Both Matterport and Google 360 tours offer valuable ways to showcase your space online, each with its strengths.
While Google 360 provides a simple way to create panoramic virtual tours, Matterport’s immersive, interactive 3D experience stands out for those looking to truly captivate and engage visitors. Google 360 tours are a solid starting point for those on a tight budget, but for a fully immersive, high-impact virtual experience, Matterport remains the superior choice.
If you're unsure which solution best fits your needs, we’d love to discuss your goals and help you choose the option that delivers the greatest impact.
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