Matterport vs Competitors - Which Virtual Tour Platform Is Best for Yorkshire Properties?

The virtual property tour landscape has evolved rapidly in recent years, with several platforms competing to offer the best solution for property marketing.

For Yorkshire property professionals looking to implement virtual tour technology, understanding the differences between these platforms is crucial for making an informed investment. This comprehensive comparison examines how Matterport stacks up against its main competitors in the UK market.

The Major Virtual Tour Platforms in the UK Market

While Matterport is perhaps the most recognised name in 3D property tours, several alternatives deserve consideration:

• Matterport The industry pioneer and current market leader, known for its comprehensive feature set and widespread adoption.
• iGuide A Canadian-developed system gaining traction in the UK, particularly noted for its accurate floor plans.
• EyeSpy360 A UK-based platform offering 360° tours with a focus on ease of use and affordability.
• Ricoh Tours Built around Ricoh's 360° cameras, offering a streamlined solution for creating virtual tours.
• My360 A flexible platform that works with various 360° cameras and offers customisation options.
• Cupix An emerging platform with advanced features for construction documentation and progress tracking.

Key Comparison Criteria for Yorkshire Property Professionals

When evaluating these platforms for Yorkshire property marketing, several factors are particularly relevant:

1. Image Quality and Realism

The visual quality of tours is paramount for effectively showcasing Yorkshire's diverse property types, from stone-built cottages to modern apartments.

Matterport Offers exceptional visual quality with true 3D spatial data, creating a highly realistic sense of moving through a space. The platform's proprietary cameras and scanning technology capture rich detail, texture, and accurate colours.

Competitors

• iGuide offers good visual quality but with less dimensional depth
• EyeSpy360 and My360 quality varies significantly based on the camera used
• Ricoh Tours provides consistent quality but typically less dimensional detail than Matterport

For Yorkshire's character properties with period features, textured surfaces, and unique architectural elements, Matterport's superior visual quality often provides a significant advantage in showcasing these details effectively.

2. Ease of Navigation and User Experience

How intuitively visitors can explore properties affects engagement and time spent viewing.

Matterport Features a highly intuitive navigation system with multiple viewing options (dollhouse view, floor plan view, and walkthrough mode). First-time users typically master navigation quickly without instruction.

Competitors

• iGuide offers excellent floor plan navigation but less fluid movement between spaces
• EyeSpy360 provides simple navigation but can feel less immersive
• Ricoh Tours offers straightforward navigation but fewer viewing options
• My360 navigation can be customised but sometimes at the expense of intuitiveness

For Yorkshire's often complex property layouts—particularly in period properties, barn conversions, or properties with extensions - Matterport's dollhouse view provides unmatched spatial understanding.

3. Measurement Accuracy

Accurate dimensions are crucial for potential buyers or tenants planning furniture placement or renovations.

Matterport Provides highly accurate measurements (typically within 1% accuracy) throughout the captured space. Users can measure any distance, including diagonals and ceiling heights.

Competitors

• iGuide excels in this area, offering comparable or sometimes superior measurement precision
• Other platforms generally offer basic measurement tools but with less accuracy and flexibility

For Yorkshire's property market, where unique spaces often require careful planning for furniture and fittings, this measurement capability represents a significant advantage.

4. Additional Features and Capabilities

Beyond basic virtual tours, platforms offer various supplementary features.

Matterport

• Automatic floor plan generation
• Virtual reality compatibility
• Embedded information tags
• Virtual furniture staging options
• MLS-compatible photo extraction
• API for custom integration

Competitors

• iGuide offers excellent floor plans but fewer customisation options
• EyeSpy360 provides good social sharing features but less robust measurement tools
• Ricoh Tours offers simplicity but fewer advanced features
• My360 provides good customisation but less automated functionality
• Cupix excels in construction documentation but has a steeper learning curve

5. Cost Considerations for Yorkshire Businesses

Budget implications vary significantly between platforms.

Matterport Typically the highest investment, with costs covering:

• Professional scanning services (£150-£400 per property depending on size)
• Hosting fees (if purchasing your own camera and subscription)
• Optional add-on features

Competitors

• iGuide is generally comparable to Matterport in professional service costs
• EyeSpy360, Ricoh Tours and My360 can be significantly less expensive, especially for businesses purchasing their own equipment
• Cupix pricing is targeted at construction and development sectors with subscription models

For Yorkshire estate agents, property developers, and holiday let owners, the cost-benefit analysis should consider not just the initial investment but the marketing impact and potential return.

6. Equipment Requirements

The hardware needed varies substantially between platforms.

Matterport Requires either:

• Professional scanning using Matterport Pro2 cameras (typically via a service provider)
• Compatible 360° cameras (with some limitations on quality)
• iPhone or iPad with LiDAR for basic scans

Competitors

• iGuide requires professional scanning with proprietary equipment
• EyeSpy360, My360 and Ricoh Tours work with various consumer-grade 360° cameras
• Cupix supports multiple capture methods including smartphones

For Yorkshire businesses considering bringing virtual tour creation in-house, the equipment investment and learning curve are important considerations.

7. Local Support and Service Availability

Access to professional scanning services varies across Yorkshire.

Matterport Has the most extensive network of service providers across Yorkshire, with experienced professionals available in most areas.

Competitors

• iGuide has growing but more limited service provider availability
• Other platforms have varying levels of professional support across the region

This availability can be particularly important for rural Yorkshire properties or businesses requiring regular scanning services.

Best-Fit Scenarios for Yorkshire Property Types

Different platforms may be optimal depending on the property type and marketing goals:

Period and Character Properties Matterport typically excels for Yorkshire's historic and character properties, where showcasing unique features and spatial relationships is crucial. The platform's superior visual quality and dollhouse view help potential buyers understand complex layouts.

Standard Residential Properties For straightforward residential properties, iGuide or EyeSpy360 may offer sufficient quality at a lower price point, particularly for estate agents handling high volumes of similar properties.

Holiday Lets Matterport's immersive experience makes it particularly valuable for holiday let marketing, where creating emotional connection and showcasing lifestyle features is essential.

Commercial Properties For Yorkshire's commercial properties, Matterport's measurement accuracy and information tagging capabilities provide significant advantages, helping businesses assess suitability efficiently.

Development Projects For property developers, Cupix or Matterport offer the best documentation capabilities for tracking construction progress and marketing off-plan properties.

Making the Right Choice for Your Yorkshire Business

When selecting a virtual tour platform:

1. Consider your specific property types and which features will best showcase their advantages
2. Evaluate your volume requirements and whether in-house capability or professional services make more sense
3. Test user experience by viewing multiple platforms from a potential client's perspective
4. Calculate total cost of ownership including equipment, subscriptions, and time investment
5. Check local service provider availability for your chosen platform

For most Yorkshire property professionals, Matterport continues to offer the most comprehensive solution despite its higher cost, particularly for properties where quality presentation directly impacts buyer interest and sale price.

To see how Matterport can be implemented effectively for different property types, explore our guide to preparing your property for a Matterport scan.



While competitors offer viable alternatives—sometimes at lower price points—Matterport's combination of visual quality, feature set, and widespread adoption makes it the preferred choice for professional 3D virtual tours across Yorkshire's diverse property market.