iGuide vs. Matterport: Which One Should You Choose For 3D Virtual Tour Software For Real Estate?

With the rise of online real estate platforms, real estate virtual tours have become an increasingly popular way buyers view properties. 

3D software is often used to create these tours, giving buyers a realistic sense of the property layout and space. This allows buyers to move around the property virtually, better understanding the flow and layout. 

In some cases, buyers can even use virtual reality headsets to further immerse themselves in the tour. For example, with 3D software, buyers can get a realistic sense of a property without ever stepping inside it.

There are two main software options for creating virtual tours for real estate: iGuide and Matterport. 

Both iGuide virtual tour and Matterport virtual tour have pros and cons. So, how do you, as a real estate agent, decide which is the best choice for your property listing in terms of 3D virtual tours? 

In this blog post, we will compare and contrast these two software programs so that you can make an informed decision about which one is right for your business.

The two most popular software for 3D virtual tours

iGuide:

iGuide is a newer software that offers many features that Matterport does not, such as the ability to add video and photo tours, floor plans, and even voiceovers. It is one of the popular matterport competitors in the market right now. 

iGuide also allows you to create your branding for virtual tours, which can be a big selling point if you work with clients looking for a more personal touch. 

The downside of iGuide is that it can be more expensive than Matterport despite being one of the excellent matterport camera alternatives. It requires special equipment (such as an iPhone X or iPad Pro). 

Matterport: 

If you are unfamiliar with matterport, first, find out what matterport is. We have a detailed article on Matterport. Check What is matterport?

Matterport software has been around longer than iGuide and is the most popular software for creating virtual tours. 

Matterport offers many features, including creating virtual tours for residential and commercial properties. 

Matterport camera cost is also less expensive than iGuide and does not require special equipment. 

The downside of Matterport is that it does not offer as many customization options as iGuide. 

What is a 3D virtual tour in real estate? How does 3D virtual tour software work?  

A virtual tour is a computer-generated simulation of a property that allows potential buyers to explore the home or business without physically being there. 

Virtual tour software uses 360-degree photos and videos to create an immersive experience simulating walking through the property. The software stitches these photos and videos together to create a seamless, realistic experience. The software works by generating a 3D model of the property based on square footage, number of rooms, and layout. Once the model is complete, users can walk through the space to better understand the structure.

3D software enables users to create a realistic representation of a property that can be explored virtually. This can be useful for real estate agents who want to give potential buyers a sense of the property without scheduling an in-person visit.

A 3D virtual tour, unlike standard 360° images, should be a perfect visual representation of the property. This means that every surface should be photographed in great detail and the exact geometry of each room.

 While virtual tours will never replace an in-person visit, they can be a valuable tool for real estate agents who want to give their clients a realistic preview of a property.

What are the benefits of using virtual tours in real estate? 

There are many benefits to using virtual tours in real estate, including: 

– Allowing potential buyers to view a property without physically being there 

– Eliminating the need for open houses 

– Allowing potential buyers to view a property at their convenience 

– Allowing agents to work with out-of-town clients 

Which 3D virtual tour software is better?

Matterport vs. iGuide: How it works

Matterport is a three-dimensional camera system that captures images and dimensions. It then creates an immersive, virtual reality experience that can be viewed on a computer or mobile device.

iGuide, too, has a 3D camera system that captures 360-degree photos of space. These photos are then stitched together to create a panoramic view that can be navigated using your mouse or finger (if you’re viewing on a mobile device).

Both Matterport and iGuide include proprietary 3D cameras that collect images and dimensions; iGuide also supports a few third-party cameras.

Each software requires you to place the camera in several locations throughout the building and allow it to scan the surrounding area each time, after which you make your 3D virtual tour using their software.

Both apps combine laser technology’s exact spatial measurements – or some sophisticated image processing – to create a perfect virtual world.

iGuide Vs. Matterport: Equipment

Regarding the equipment used for virtual tours, there are some key differences between iGuide and Matterport. 

For starters, iGuide requires that you have a DSLR camera to create your virtual tour. This camera can be rented from iGuide for an additional fee. Matterport, on the other hand, has a proprietary camera that must be purchased outright.

The camera cost is not the only difference when it comes to equipment. iGuide also requires that you have a tripod, whereas Matterport’s camera is designed to be handheld. This means that you can save on the cost of a tripod with Matterport.

Matterport Vs. iGuide: Usability

The Matterport system is very user-friendly. You can quickly and easily create a three-dimensional model of your property using their camera, which does most of your work. 

Once your model is created, it’s easy to add labels, measurements, and other information that will be useful to potential buyers.

The iGuide system is also user-friendly, but creating a virtual tour takes more time and effort. You’ll need to use their software to stitch together photos taken with their 360-degree camera rig. But once you’ve created your tour, you’ll have more control over the final product and can add interactive elements that Matterport doesn’t offer.

Matterport vs. iGuide: Output

Matterport provides gorgeous, detailed dollhouse views in addition to interactive 3D experiences.

This presentation allows purchasers to understand the property’s size and how each space feels. You may also include clickable places of interest.

Users can “move” around the property by clicking on it. However, traversing these digital models might be complicated, so you might want to present the dollhouse perspective with a guided tour.

You select the rooms you want to show potential buyers via the Matterport software and wait for the app to create a highlight reel.

The visual effect of zooming in on each room is striking, and Matterport lets you export the video in various formats.

While iGuide does not provide dollhouse views, it resembles Matterport’s virtual tour experience.

Rather than having you fly around a 3D model, iGuide shows you around with 360° pictures and an interactive floor plan. To “visit” a room in the 3D viewpoint, click a point on the 2D map.

Compared to Matterport’s virtual dollhouses, iGuide tours are marginally more user-friendly for less tech-savvy viewers.

Another benefit of using iGuide is the ability to export floor plans effortlessly. For example, you may sell exact measurements as an add-on because they are accurate to 0.5-1 percent.

iGuide Vs. Matterport Cost

Matterport is a subscription-based service with numerous tiers, ranging from free to $689 monthly for Business Plus.

Each plan provides online hosting for several models; the first is free, and the highest tier contains 250 slots. If you utilize the Pro2 camera, the cheapest membership tier available in the Professional subscription costs $69 per month.

With iGuide pricing, there are no monthly costs. Instead, you pay by the square foot, with a minimum price per property and a surcharge for homes larger than 10,000ft sq.

Standard processing, which starts at $29, provides most of iGuide’s functionality for $0.02/ft2. Premium processing includes sophisticated measurements, complete floor plans, and VR compatibility for $0.03/ft2 with a $43.50 minimum price. iGuide also provides add-ons like Google Street View upload for $15.

iGuide or Matterport: Which virtual tour software should you choose?

Pros of Matterport

Matterport is a highly user-friendly platform that makes creating a high-quality virtual tour easy. The tours created with Matterport are also highly realistic, which can give potential buyers or renters a better sense of what your property looks like in person. 

Additionally, because Matterport creates such realistic tours, they can also be used as effective marketing tools. For example, you can use them to show off your property in its best light and give potential buyers or renters a feel for what it would be like to live there. 

Another pro of using Matterport is that it’s a great way to increase the accessibility of your property. For example, if you have a property that’s difficult to show in person (due to its location, size, etc.), Matterport can be a great solution. By creating a virtual tour in Matterport, you can make your property accessible to potential buyers or renters. 

Finally, one of the most significant advantages of using Matterport is saving you time and money. If you’re trying to sell or rent out a property, generating interest is key – and Matterport can help you do just that. Instead of spending time and money on traditional marketing methods (like open houses), you can use Matterport to create a virtual tour that will reach a wide audience with minimal effort. 

Cons of Matterport

While Matterport is user-friendly, it does require some time and effort to create a high-quality virtual tour. If you’re short on time or not particularly tech-savvy, Matterport might not be the best solution. 

Additionally, because Matterport tours are so realistic, they can sometimes be overwhelming for potential buyers or renters. For example, a more traditional marketing approach might be more effective if your property is small or simple. 

Another downside of using Matterport is that it’s not always accurate. While the platform does a good job of creating realistic tours, there’s always room for error, which means that potential buyers or renters might not get an accurate sense of your property.

If you’re using Matterport to market your property, it’s important to keep this in mind and ensure that potential buyers or renters know any inaccuracies in the tour. 

Matterport can save you time and money; it’s important to remember that it’s not free. A cost is associated with using the platform, and if you’re on a tight budget, that cost might not be worth it. 

We have a dedicated article on the pros and cons of Matterport 3d virtual software tool. You can check it out on Pros and Cons of matterport.

Pros of iGuide

The iGuide system is very user-friendly. You don’t need to be a tech expert or have special skills to create a virtual tour. 

Another advantage of using iGuide is that it’s quick and easy to produce a high-quality virtual tour. But, of course, the system does all the hard work for you, so all you need to do is focus on taking good photos. 

iGuide tours are also highly interactive and engaging, making them ideal for showcasing properties online. Potential buyers can explore every nook and cranny of a property from the comfort of their home, which is a huge selling point in today’s market. 

iGuide is also great for marketing purposes. You can promote your listings on social media and other online platforms to reach a wider audience. And because virtual tours are so interactive, they tend to generate a lot of interest and traffic. 

Cons of iGuidE

The first con is that iGuide can be expensive. Standard processing, which starts at $29, provides most of iGuide’s functionality for $0.02/ft2. Premium processing includes sophisticated measurements, full floor plans, and VR compatibility for $0.03/ft2 with a $43.50 minimum price.

If you want to use iGuide to create professional-quality virtual tours, you will need to invest in additional equipment such as a 360 camera, tripod, and laptop. This can add up quickly.

Another con of iGuide is that it can be time-consuming to create a virtual tour. You need to take the time to plan out your shoot, set up your equipment, and then capture each scene. Once you have all of your footage, you need to edit it into a cohesive tour. This can take hours, or even days, to complete.

The last con is that iGuide is not available for everyone. Currently, the software only works with iPhones and iPads. So, if you do not have one of these devices, you will not be able to use iGuide to create your virtual tour.

Final Thought

Matterport appears to be the more expensive product here. It’s easy to use, appealing to the eye, and packed with functionality. You may also select which camera to use. The disadvantage is the requirement to make monthly payments.

iGuide is less refined and technically not as ambitious as iGuide. However, it meets the demands of the majority of clients, delivers good accuracy, and allows photographers to do their work more quickly.

To summarize,

Matterport is superior for:

• Instagram tours and the dollhouse view
• Properties larger than 4,000 square feet
• Equipment selection (incl. low-cost options)
• Photographers that take a lot of virtual tours

iGuide is superior for:

• Virtual tours that are intuitive and exact floor layouts
• Properties with less than 4,000 square feet
• Photographers seeking greater control
• Virtual tour hosting on a long-term basis

Why contact Revepix for 3D virtual tours?

Revepix is the leading provider of high-quality, immersive virtual reality (VR) tours. We provide a complete, end-to-end solution that helps businesses create and distribute VR content to their customers and prospects.

Our experts will work with you to create a custom VR experience highlighting your unique selling points and showcasing your property in the best possible light. We use the latest 360° cameras and cutting-edge software to produce stunning VR tours that are realistic, interactive, and engaging.

There are many benefits to using Revepix VR tours, including:

* Increased engagement and interest from potential buyers

* The ability to reach a global audience with your listing

* A competitive edge over other listings in your market

If you’re ready to take your real estate business to the next level, contact Revepix today. 

We’ll be happy to answer any of your questions and get you started on creating a virtual reality tour of your property.