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Getting Creative with Showcasing Your Texas Home: Should You go for Matterport or Zillow 3D Tours?
In the Central Texas real estate market, high-quality photography is only the beginning. Today’s buyers want more than static images—they want to walk through a home online, explore every angle, and understand the layout before visiting in person. That’s why 3D virtual tours have become one of the most powerful tools in real estate marketing.
Two of the leading options are Matterport 3D and Zillow 3D Home Tours. Both help agents and sellers showcase properties in an engaging way, but they differ in cost, features, and how buyers experience them.
For agents and sellers aiming to sell faster and attract more buyers in 2025, 3D tours can also be a listing-winning strategy. Providing a virtual walkthrough not only helps buyers shop on their own schedule—it can also set you apart from competitors who rely on photos alone.
Matterport is the industry leader in 3D virtual tours. Using a special camera or a compatible 360 camera, Matterport creates a true-to-life, detailed, and immersive model of a property. Buyers can move through the tour as if they were physically inside, exploring every room at their own pace.
Key Features of Matterport Visual Tours:
- Dollhouse View: Lets buyers see the entire property from above.
- Floor Plans: Automatic floor plan generation available.
- High Resolution: Crisp details, great for luxury and commercial listings.
- MLS Integration: Accepted by most MLS systems.
- Add-Ons: Can integrate virtual staging, measurement tools, and VR.
Best For:
- Luxury real estate
- Commercial spaces
- Builders and developers
- Agents who want premium marketing
This makes Matterport 3D tours an excellent option for vacant homes or properties with unique architectural features—like curved walls, vaulted ceilings, or custom finishes—that don’t stand out in photos alone. Out of the two platforms, it delivers the highest quality presentation both visually and technically.
Matterport 3D Visual Tour Example
What is a Zillow 3D Home Tours?
Another option for virtual tours is Zillow 3D Home Tours. This 3D Home Tours are a free, easy-to-use alternative that integrates directly with the Zillow platform. Agents can capture tours using just an iPhone or a Ricoh Theta 360 camera, making the process fast and convenient. Once uploaded, the tour is embedded into the property’s Zillow listing, allowing buyers to explore the home from the comfort of their own couch. Zillow 3D Home Tours are a good option for properties that are occupied, or for properties that have a more traditional layout. These tours come with benefits that the higher-end Matterport tour does not. Each tour gives the property a boost on Zillow to the top of search results for the first 7 days on market. It also comes with tags and other identifying features across Zillow to make it stand out in all searches.
Key Features of Zillow 3D Home Tours:
- Free to Use: No camera purchase required (works with iPhone).
- Simple Setup: Tours are easy to capture and upload.
- Zillow Integration: Displays prominently on Zillow and Trulia listings.
- Shareable Links: Can be shared with clients outside of Zillow.
Best For:
- Entry-level agents
- Rental listings
- Budget-conscious marketing
- Homes that don’t require luxury presentation
Zillow 3D Home Tour Example
Matterport 3D Tour vs Zillow 3D Home Tours: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Matterport 3D Tour | Zillow 3D Home |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Camera purchase ($2,995 Pro3) + hosting fees ($9.99–$69/month) | Free with iPhone/360 camera, hosting included |
| Ease of Use | Requires special camera or 360 camera, pro-level capture | Simple app, works with iPhone or Ricoh Theta |
| MLS Integration | Yes, widely supported across MLS platforms | Limited, often only Zillow/Trulia ecosystem |
| Quality | High-resolution, dollhouse view, floor plans | Good quality, lacks floor plan & dollhouse view |
| Virtual Staging | Available via third-party integrations | Limited, mostly static photos only |
| Best For | Agents, brokers, luxury listings, commercial properties | Entry-level agents, rental listings, basic real estate |
| Standout Feature | Dollhouse 3D view + floor plan exports | Free, simple, and integrated with Zillow search |
Pricing: 3D Matterport vs Zillow 3D Home
Matterport:
- Cameras range from $399 (360 cameras) to $2,995 (Pro3).
- Monthly hosting plans: $9.99–$69 depending on number of tours.
- Add-ons: floor plans, schematic exports, VR support.
Zillow 3D Home:
- Free to capture and host.
- Works best if you already list on Zillow/Trulia.
- No extra fees for storage.
If cost is your main concern, Zillow is the clear winner. If you want high-quality immersive experiences, Matterport is worth the investment.
Pros, Cons, and Questions to Ponder
Both Matterport and Zillow 3D Home Tours offer powerful ways to showcase a property, but they serve slightly different purposes.
Matterport is known as the premium option. It creates highly interactive, fully immersive virtual tours that allow buyers to “walk through” every corner of a property. This level of detail is especially appealing for luxury homes or listings where unique layouts and architectural features are a major selling point. The trade-off is cost and time—Matterport requires more scans, additional on-site technician time, and ongoing hosting fees, making it the more expensive choice.
Zillow 3D Home Tours, by contrast, are a free and more streamlined solution. Agents can capture tours quickly using just an iPhone or Ricoh Theta 360 camera, and because they’re integrated directly into Zillow, buyers can easily access them alongside the listing photos. Zillow also provides a valuable marketing advantage: listings with 3D Home Tours are boosted to the top of Zillow search results for the first 7 days and tagged with special identifiers that help them stand out. This makes Zillow 3D Home Tours particularly effective for occupied homes, traditional floorplans, or listings where cost-efficiency and visibility are priorities.
When weighing the two, ask yourself:
- Are you aiming to deliver a high-end, premium experience?
- How long will you need the tour hosted online?
- Is maximizing exposure on Zillow a priority for your listing?
In some cases, doing both can be worthwhile—Matterport for its immersive “wow” factor and Zillow 3D Home for the added search visibility.
Ultimately, the choice comes down to the property’s needs, the seller’s budget, and the target audience. If the home has standout features, a tricky floorplan, or is likely to appeal to out-of-town buyers, a 3D tour should absolutely be part of the marketing strategy—alongside professional photography.
Sold in a Snap has got you covered for either or both tours.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Matterport and Zillow 3D Home?
Matterport is a premium 3D tour system with dollhouse views and floor plans. Zillow 3D Home is free and integrates with Zillow but has fewer features.
How much does a Matterport camera cost in 2025?
The Matterport Pro3 camera costs around $2,995. Lower-cost options exist, but hosting fees apply.
Is Zillow 3D Home free for agents?
Yes, it’s completely free if you use an iPhone or Ricoh Theta 360 camera.
Can buyers view Matterport tours on their phone?
Yes. Matterport works on desktop, mobile, and VR headsets.
Do Matterport tours help sell homes faster?
Yes. Studies show homes with 3D tours get more views and can sell quicker than those without.
Can Zillow 3D tours be added to the MLS?
Some MLS platforms allow Zillow 3D links, but integration is limited compared to Matterport.
What are the best Matterport alternatives?
CloudPano, EyeSpy360, Asteroom, and Kuula are popular options.
Which platform is better for luxury homes?
Matterport is best for luxury properties because of its resolution, floor plan integration, and presentation.
In Conclusion
Matterport and Zillow 3D Home Tours are both great options for providing a virtual tour of a property. While both have their pros and cons, ultimately the decision will depend on the specific needs of the property, budget, and target market. Realtors should consider both options and consult with Sold in a Snap to determine which one is best for their property. By providing high-quality virtual tours, realtors can help potential buyers envision themselves living in the property and make a quicker decision to purchase.
