The difference is the finished experience
A 360 photo tour displays spherical photographs captured at selected positions. The viewer looks around a room and changes scenes through room controls or hotspots. A 3D tour includes a reconstructed spatial model; the software can use that model for features such as a dollhouse view. A video walkthrough plays a recorded sequence with an order and pace chosen by the creator.
Capture hardware alone does not define the output. Matterport explains that its processing can produce a 3D digital twin from supported 360 imagery as well as specialized capture. Uploading those same photographs into a panorama viewer does not automatically create a measured 3D model. Ask to see the actual finished deliverable.
Side-by-side comparison
| Question | 360 photo tour | 3D model tour | Video walkthrough |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who controls the view? | The viewer looks around and chooses scenes. | The viewer explores captured positions and available model views. | The creator chooses the framing and route; the viewer plays or seeks. |
| What is captured? | Full spherical still images at selected positions. | Data and imagery processed into a spatial model. | A moving sequence, often with narration or music. |
| How is layout explained? | Room labels, hotspots, and an optional separate floor plan. | Model-based views and navigation, depending on the platform. | A deliberate filming route, captions, or narration. |
| Are measurements inherent? | No. A panorama is not a measured floor plan. | Some systems offer measurement tools; check accuracy and conditions. | No. Dimensions must come from another verified source. |
| How are changes handled? | Replace affected scenes and check navigation. | The provider may need recapture and model processing. | Edit the sequence or reshoot affected footage. |
| Useful application | Self-guided room exploration and repeatable listing updates. | Projects needing model views or specified spatial outputs. | An introduction, narrated walkthrough, or social clip. |
What a Houses360 tour provides today
Houses360 builds interactive tours from uploaded 360 scenes. You can name and order rooms, connect scenes with hotspots, add property details, and share a public link. Its floor plan maker provides a separate layout you draw and connect to scenes; dimensions should come from your measurements.
Do not describe a standard Houses360 panorama tour as a scanned digital twin or claim it measures a property from the photos. The published dollhouse guide is a roadmap. Video uploads and embeds are available on Pro and Business at the time of review; check your current plan before adding a video.
An example decision for an everyday listing
Suppose your main question is whether the living room connects directly to the kitchen. A 360 scene in each space, clear labels, and a doorway hotspot can make that relationship understandable. A drawn floor plan adds another way to see the connection. This is a useful scope for a self-upload tour.
If the brief instead requires a rotatable model of the entire building or a specific model-based measurement output, confirm that deliverable with a 3D provider. If the brief is a short narrated introduction for social viewing, film a video with an intentional route. These are example briefs, not claims about results or production time.
Use formats together without confusing the viewer
- Let still photos introduce the property Show clear exterior and interior photos with accurate property facts.
- Offer self-guided exploration Place an obvious tour link beside the photos so people can choose their own rooms.
- Explain layout separately Add a measured floor plan when it will answer room-relationship questions.
- Use video for a focused story A short introduction can point viewers toward the interactive tour for a closer look.
- Review every output Keep staging, room names, and property facts consistent across photos, video, floor plan, and tour.
Questions to ask before buying a service
- Can I open a live example on my phone and choose the rooms myself?
- Does the quoted deliverable include a real spatial model or only connected panoramas?
- Which measurement or floor plan features are included, and what limitations apply?
- What files will I receive, and how long will the hosted experience stay available?
- How will changes to one room affect the capture and publishing work?
Common questions
Turn your 360 photos into a shareable property link.
Use Houses360 to upload scenes, organize rooms, preview the tour, and share it when the listing is ready.