Are Matterport Scan and tours your best option?

Matterport has been a dominant player in 3D virtual tours, but there are several reasons why it may not be the best choice for real estate professionals and photographers. Here are some strong arguments against using Matterport: Although this was written highlighting Matterport, This also appies to Zillow scans and floorplans as well.

1. High Costs & Subscription Model
Matterport requires an ongoing subscription to host tours, and pricing scales based on the number of active models. This creates a long-term financial burden, especially for those who produce a large volume of tours. Many alternative solutions allow for one-time licensing or self-hosted options, eliminating recurring fees. This alone makes Matterport un-acceptable for Property Management, AIRBnB’s and apartments.

2. Lack of Control & Customization
Matterport locks users into its proprietary platform, limiting customization options. Unlike KRPano or 3DVista, which allow complete control over branding, navigation, and interactivity, Matterport’s tours have a standardized look and feel. This makes it difficult for professionals to differentiate themselves from competitors.

3. Hosting Dependency & Data Ownership
All Matterport tours are hosted on their servers, meaning you don’t truly “own” your tours. If Matterport shuts down a model (or their business), you lose access to your content. Self-hosted solutions provide full ownership and control over your assets.

4. No True 360 or HDR Editing Capabilities
Matterport processes images automatically with its own AI, limiting the ability to adjust HDR settings or correct colors. Traditional 360° photography using DSLR cameras allows for high-quality bracketed HDR images that can be edited to perfection before being added to a virtual tour.

Matterport, unable to color correct the strong yellow or edit out the camera in the mirrors

Same Panorama images, but edited to eliminate yellow cast and remove camera from mirrors, shown with optional FloorPlan Navigation.

5. Limited Compatibility & Exporting
Matterport does not allow easy exporting of tour data for use in other platforms. If you decide to switch providers, you can’t simply transfer your existing tours. Other platforms like KRPano and 3DVista allow much greater flexibility in exporting content.

6. Slower Capture Process
Matterport’s camera systems, particularly the Pro2 and Pro3, require multiple stationary scans to build a 3D model. This can be time-consuming compared to other methods, such as panoramic photography with DSLR setups, which can capture an entire space in a single shot.

7. Weaker Floor Plan Functionality
While Matterport offers automatic floor plans, they are often generic and lack precision. Dedicated floor plan software, or even LiDAR-based scanning solutions, can generate far more detailed and editable layouts.

8. Not Always Mobile-Friendly
While Matterport is accessible on mobile devices, it doesn’t always provide the best experience. Some users find navigation laggy or frustrating compared to lightweight 360° tours that can be optimized for mobile.

9. Privacy & Security Concerns
Because Matterport scans create a highly detailed digital twin, they may raise privacy concerns for certain clients. Sensitive environments like private homes, museums, and workplaces may prefer a platform where they can control and edit data more easily before publishing.

10. Alternative Solutions Offer More Value
Competitors such as 3DVista, KRPano, CloudPano, and Pano2VR offer self-hosted, customizable solutions that eliminate ongoing costs and provide greater control. These alternatives can produce similar or better-quality tours without being locked into a subscription model.

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