In today’s digital-first world, businesses are increasingly turning to virtual tours to attract customers and showcase their spaces online. Whether it’s a restaurant, real estate property, hotel, or retail store, virtual tours help people explore places remotely and make confident decisions. Among the leading options, Google virtual tours and Matterport 3D tours stand out. Both have unique strengths, but choosing the right one depends on your goals, budget, and desired level of interactivity.
In this blog, we’ll explore the key differences between Google vs Matterport for business, compare their features, benefits, and costs, and help you decide which solution is best for your brand.
What Is a Google Virtual Tour?
A Google virtual tour is a series of 360° panoramic photos stitched together to create an interactive experience within Google Maps or your Google Business Profile. Users can click through your space, just like they would in Street View, to see what your business looks like before visiting. These tours are often created by certified Google photographers and are directly integrated with Google’s ecosystem.
Advantages of Google Virtual Tours
- Boosts local SEO visibility: Tours appear in Google Search and Maps, helping businesses rank higher and attract more clicks.
- Builds trust and transparency: Customers are more likely to visit a business they can see and explore virtually.
- Low cost and easy setup: Google tours require only panoramic photography and have minimal ongoing costs.
- Seamless integration: The tour displays on your Google Business Profile, increasing engagement and foot traffic.
Limitations
- Lacks the full 3D, immersive experience offered by Matterport.
- No advanced features like measurements, embedded media, or dollhouse views.
- Limited branding and customization options.
In short, Google tours are simple, affordable, and excellent for improving local discovery.
What Is Matterport?
Matterport takes virtual experiences to the next level by creating detailed 3D “digital twins” of real spaces. Using specialized cameras or LiDAR-enabled smartphones, Matterport scans your environment to produce a fully navigable 3D model. Viewers can explore rooms, zoom in on details, or even take measurements—making it a powerful tool for businesses needing high-quality visual presentations.
Advantages of Matterport
- Highly immersive experience: Offers 3D navigation, dollhouse views, and smooth transitions between spaces.
- Interactive features: Add measurement tools, hotspots, videos, and custom tags to enhance storytelling.
- Professional presentation: Ideal for real estate, hotels, museums, and event venues where spatial details matter.
- Branding and customization: You can embed your logo, add CTAs, or integrate tours into websites and marketing materials.
- Supports VR and advanced displays: Perfect for tech-forward businesses seeking immersive engagement.
Limitations
- Higher cost: Requires specialized equipment and a subscription for hosting tours.
- More complex setup: Scanning and processing 3D models take time and expertise.
- Less direct SEO benefit: While Matterport tours can be embedded on your website, they don’t directly impact Google Maps visibility.
Matterport shines when your business needs an interactive, premium-quality experience to engage and impress customers.
Related : How Virtual Tours Can Boost Your Small Business’s ROI
Google vs Matterport: Key Differences
| Feature / Factor | Google Virtual Tour | Matterport 3D Tour |
|---|---|---|
| SEO & Visibility | High — appears on Google Maps & Search | Moderate — best when embedded on websites |
| Experience Type | 360° panoramic images | Fully immersive 3D model |
| Customization | Limited | Extensive (branding, media, hotspots) |
| Interactivity | Basic navigation | Interactive with measurement tools & dollhouse views |
| Cost | Low, one-time payment | Higher, subscription-based |
| Best For | Small businesses, local stores, cafes | Real estate, hotels, museums, showrooms |
Google focuses on visibility, while Matterport emphasizes engagement and immersion.
Which Is Better for Business?
The answer depends on your business goals and audience.
Choose Google Virtual Tours if:
- You want to improve local SEO and appear more prominently in Google searches.
- Your business has a limited budget but still wants an interactive presence.
- You run a small or medium-sized business like a salon, cafe, clinic, or retail shop.
Choose Matterport if:
- You need a premium, highly interactive 3D experience to impress clients.
- You operate in industries like real estate, hospitality, or interior design.
- You want to add custom branding, multimedia, or virtual measurements.
Use Both for Maximum Impact
Many successful brands use both platforms strategically. A Google virtual tour helps with visibility and discovery, while a Matterport tour provides a detailed, immersive experience once potential customers visit your website. Combining both creates a powerful marketing ecosystem that drives awareness, engagement, and conversion.
Real-World Examples
- Hotels & Resorts: Use Google tours to boost local search rankings and Matterport to showcase room layouts and amenities.
- Real Estate Agencies: Rely on Matterport for property walkthroughs and 3D floor plans, while using Google for office listings.
- Museums & Galleries: Use Matterport to offer virtual exhibits and Google for improved visitor discovery.
- Retail Stores: Add a Google tour for visibility and Matterport for immersive e-commerce experiences.
The Future of Virtual Tours for Business
As technology evolves, both Google and Matterport continue to enhance their capabilities. The rise of 5G, IoT, and VR will make virtual experiences even more seamless and realistic. Businesses adopting these tools early will gain a competitive edge—offering customers a convenient, engaging way to explore their brand anytime, anywhere.
Virtual tours are no longer just a marketing luxury—they are becoming a standard part of digital customer engagement.
FAQs
Q1. What is the main difference between Google and Matterport tours?
Google tours use 360° photos for online visibility, while Matterport creates 3D virtual spaces with interactive features and higher immersion.
Q2. Which is more affordable for small businesses?
Google virtual tours are generally cheaper and require less technical setup, making them ideal for small or local businesses.
Q3. Does Matterport help with SEO?
Matterport tours don’t directly impact Google search rankings but can improve engagement and time spent on your site—both positive SEO signals.
Q4. Can I use both Google and Matterport together?
Yes! Many businesses use Google for visibility and Matterport for detailed virtual walkthroughs. This combination enhances reach and customer experience.
Q5. Which industries benefit most from Matterport?
Real estate, hospitality, construction, interior design, and event venues benefit most from Matterport’s interactive 3D capabilities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both Google virtual tours and Matterport 3D tours offer unique benefits that can elevate your business presence online. Google tours are affordable, simple, and excellent for boosting local SEO and helping customers find and trust your business through Maps and Search. Matterport, on the other hand, delivers a fully immersive 3D experience packed with interactive features that drive deeper engagement and higher conversion rates.
While Google is ideal for smaller businesses focused on visibility, Matterport suits industries needing detailed spatial experiences and storytelling. Many companies combine both to gain maximum exposure and impact—using Google for discovery and Matterport for interactive exploration. Together, they create a powerful digital strategy that connects audiences with your brand before they ever step through the door.