What Is Matterport? Complete Virtual Tour Guide
Learn what Matterport is, how virtual tours work, and how to share 3D tours online. A complete guide to Matterport's immersive technology.
Matterport is a spatial data platform that creates immersive 3D virtual tours of physical spaces. Used heavily in real estate, hospitality, and construction, it lets anyone explore a building or room from their browser as if they were physically walking through it.
How Matterport Works
Matterport uses specialized cameras or compatible smartphone apps to capture 360-degree images of a space. The software then stitches these images together into a seamless 3D model called a "digital twin."
Here is what the process looks like:
- Capture — Scan a space using a Matterport camera, Ricoh Theta, or a smartphone with the Matterport Capture app
- Process — Upload scans to Matterport's cloud, where AI builds the 3D model
- Share — Embed or link the finished tour on any website
Key Features
- Dollhouse View — See an entire floor plan in 3D from above
- Floor Plan Mode — Generate schematic-style floor plans automatically
- Measurement Tool — Take accurate measurements inside the virtual space
- Tags and Labels — Add information points with text, images, or links
- VR Support — View tours in virtual reality headsets
Who Uses Matterport?
- Real estate agents for property listings and open houses
- Hotels and vacation rentals for guest previews
- Retailers for virtual showrooms
- Architects and contractors for project documentation
- Event venues for client walkthroughs
How to Share a Matterport Tour
Matterport provides embed codes and shareable links for each tour. You can embed tours directly on your website or landing page.
If you need a standalone page to host your virtual tour link or supporting materials (floor plans, PDFs, photos), Linkyhost makes it easy to upload and share files with a simple URL — no coding required.
Pricing
Matterport offers a free tier for one active space. Paid plans start around $10/month and scale based on the number of active spaces and features you need.
Is Matterport Worth It?
For real estate professionals and property managers, Matterport is one of the most effective ways to showcase spaces remotely. The technology saves time on in-person showings and gives potential buyers or renters a realistic preview before visiting.
For smaller projects, the free plan and smartphone scanning make it accessible without buying specialized hardware.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Scanning in poor lighting. Matterport cameras work best in well-lit spaces with consistent lighting. Dark rooms produce blurry scans, and mixed lighting (bright windows next to dark corners) creates uneven exposure. Open curtains and turn on all lights before scanning.
Skipping areas of the space. Every room, hallway, and closet should be scanned for a complete tour. Missing areas create dead spots where visitors cannot navigate. Plan your scan path to cover every accessible area.
Not removing clutter. A virtual tour captures everything in the space, including personal items, trash, and clutter. Stage the space as you would for professional photography — clean, tidy, and depersonalized.
Ignoring the scan order. Scan rooms systematically (e.g., left to right, floor by floor) so the software can stitch images together smoothly. Random scan positions create alignment issues and navigation gaps.
Matterport Alternatives
| Platform | Pricing | Camera Required | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matterport | Free (1 space) to $69+/mo | Matterport or smartphone | Real estate, hospitality |
| CloudPano | From $19/month | Any 360 camera | Budget virtual tours |
| Kuula | Free tier available | Any 360 camera | Simple 360 photo tours |
| Zillow 3D Home | Free | iPhone or Ricoh Theta | Zillow-listed properties |
| EyeSpy360 | From $14.99/month | Any 360 camera | Small businesses |
Tips for Better Virtual Tours
- Add information tags. Place clickable tags at key points in the tour — appliance details, room dimensions, material specifications, or links to additional documents.
- Create a guided tour. Use Matterport's highlights feature to create a curated walkthrough path that guides visitors through the space in a logical order.
- Embed on your website. Use the provided embed code to place the tour directly on your property listing page or website.
- Share supporting materials. Alongside the virtual tour, share floor plans, property details, and brochures as hosted PDFs. Upload them to Linkyhost and include links in the tour tags or on the listing page.
- Optimize for mobile. Most virtual tour viewers are on phones. Test the tour on mobile devices to ensure smooth navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create a Matterport tour with my phone?
Yes. The Matterport Capture app (available for iOS and Android) uses LiDAR on newer phones (iPhone 12 Pro and later) to create 3D scans. The quality is lower than a dedicated Matterport camera but sufficient for many use cases, especially vacation rentals and small commercial spaces.
How do I share a Matterport tour with someone?
Matterport provides a shareable link for each tour. Send the link via email, embed it on a website, or add it to a property listing. For sharing additional materials like floor plans, photos, and documents alongside the tour, host them on Linkyhost and include links in your tour description.
How much does a professional Matterport scan cost?
If you hire a professional to scan your space, expect to pay $150-$500 depending on the size of the property and your location. DIY scanning with your own camera or phone is free beyond the Matterport subscription cost. For real estate agents who scan frequently, investing in a Matterport camera ($300-$4,000) pays for itself within a few listings.