Comparisons of Matterport and Zillow 3D Tours


3D Tour Overview

The concept of virtual property tours began to emerge long before the advanced 3D scanning technologies available today. The earliest forms of digital property presentations were simple slide shows of real estate photos, where users could click arrows to scroll through images. This was a significant improvement from relying solely on newspaper listings but lacked immersion. The phrase “virtual tour” itself originated in 1994, describing a museum visitor interpretive tour that involved a “walk-through” of a 3D reconstruction of Dudley Castle in England. Queen Elizabeth II famously inaugurated this system, and her officials’ request for titles led to the term “Virtual Tour,” combining “Virtual Reality” with “Royal Tour”.

The evolution continued with the arrival of 360-degree virtual tour photography, where a series of distorted photos were “stitched” together to create spherical images. Initially, these were more akin to 360 panoramic tours, allowing viewers to look around horizontally but not up or down. Early challenges included low image quality, slow loading times (around two minutes), and limited compatibility due to reliance on Java, meaning they often wouldn’t work on phones or certain browsers. Virtual tour software companies then focused on adding numerous features like maps, floor plans, hotspots, and custom buttons, which often resulted in overly complicated and bulky interfaces that were difficult for realtors to navigate.



A major turning point came with the entry of companies like Matterport, founded in 2011, which was instrumental in bringing 3D scanning into the mainstream. Matterport pioneered cameras with advanced depth sensor technologies and patented its 3D dollhouse technology, providing buyers with a comprehensive visual presentation of how rooms and floors fit together, allowing them to drag, rotate, and zoom. However, Matterport’s initial solutions were often too expensive for many brokerages and agents. The landscape shifted dramatically when Apple released iPhones equipped with LiDAR technology in 2020, the same technology used in 3D cameras to measure distances. This advancement allowed Matterport to support not only its own cameras but also Lidar-equipped smartphones, making high-quality 3D scanning far more convenient and cost-effective for real estate professionals.

These technological advancements, including Matterport’s innovations and the integration of LiDAR into smartphones, have significantly lowered the barrier to entry for 3D imaging, democratizing the technology across the real estate market. The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated the standardization of 3D tours, with platforms like Zillow and Realtor.com actively promoting and integrating them into listings. Studies have shown that properties with 3D tours sell faster and at higher prices, receiving more views and qualified leads. What was once a luxury reserved for high-end properties is now becoming an expectation and a standard for real estate listings, promising a future of more efficient, accurate, and responsive property management.


The Power of Zillow 3D Home® Tours

In today’s fast-evolving real estate market, standing out is crucial. Homebuyers and renters are increasingly seeking immersive, digital experiences to explore properties, and Zillow 3D Home® tours provide just that. This free and easy-to-use tool can significantly enhance your listings, offering a competitive edge and delivering tangible results.

Snap2Close started providing Zillow 3D Tours to its clients in April 2020 and has since delivered over 1,507 tours to real estate agents. So far, these Zillow 3D tours from Snap2Close have attracted more than 55,000 views from prospective homebuyers.


The Future of Real Estate Marketing with Zillow 3D Tours

As we look toward the future, it’s clear that Zillow 3D Tours will play an integral role in real estate marketing strategies. By utilizing this technology, agents and sellers can not only meet the current demands of buyers but also anticipate future trends.

What is a Zillow 3D Home Tour?

A Zillow 3D Home tour is an immersive virtual tour that allows prospective buyers and renters to “walk through” a home’s layout virtually. Unlike traditional video tours that are limited by the cameraman’s view, a 3D Home tour offers an interactive, self-guided experience where users control their navigation and view every room as if they were physically there.

When captured with a compatible 360-degree camera, these tours can also generate Interactive Floor Plans. This feature includes a map and a “you are here” indicator, providing orientation and illustrating the room-to-room flow, which helps buyers better understand room size and the overall layout in real-time. Listings with Interactive Floor Plans receive prioritized placement in search results on Zillow.



By leveraging technology, Snap2Close ensures that their Zillow 3D Tours not only highlight the features of a property but also allow potential buyers to visualize how their lives could fit into these spaces. This innovative approach has been particularly effective in attracting younger buyers who prefer online browsing over traditional methods.

Zillow 3D Home Tours serve more than just visual appeal; they create an emotional connection that traditional listings often lack. For instance, a young family might be drawn to a home that offers ample play space for children, something that the immersive experience can vividly showcase.

This technology further enhances a buyer’s sense of agency in the home-buying process. By allowing them to navigate at their own pace, they can focus on elements that matter most to them, such as kitchen layout, storage space, or outdoor amenities. This is particularly beneficial in today’s fast-paced world where time is of the essence.


Key Benefits of Zillow 3D Home Tours

Incorporating Zillow 3D Home tours into your marketing strategy offers numerous advantages for sellers.

Increased Visibility and Engagement

  • Listings with a Zillow 3D Home tour consistently receive more views and saves than those without. Zillow site data shows that listings with a 3D Home tour received, on average, 60% more views and were saved 79% more. Other data indicates 43% more views and 55% more saves. Some sources even report 68% more views.

  • These listings gain premium placement on Zillow and Trulia, featuring unique search tags, special search filters, and appearing in dedicated emails to buyers.

Faster Sales and Higher Offers

  • Homes with Zillow 3D Home tours tend to sell faster. Research shows they can sell, on average, 14% faster than listings without this feature, with other sources citing 10% faster sales and a reduction of approximately 10 fewer days on the market.

  • Listings with higher engagement levels, such as those with 10 or more daily saves or exceeding 20 shares per day, often sell for more than the list price

Attracts Serious Buyers

  • Virtual tours help buyers self-qualify by previewing the home thoroughly, reducing unproductive showings by approximately 40%. This saves time for both buyers and agents.

  • Buyers can explore the property at their own pace, getting a true sense of the layout and details before an in-person visit.

  • A significant number of buyers (60%) would even consider purchasing a home sight unseen if they had access to a virtual tour.

Meets Modern Buyer Demands

  • With 95% of homebuyers using the internet for their search, and 61-62% wishing more listings had 3D tours, these virtual experiences are essential for a digital-first touring experience.

  • They offer an accessible option for buyers who may have disabilities, hectic schedules, or are located out-of-town, allowing them to tour properties remotely.

The market is shifting towards digital solutions, and Zillow 3D Home Tours are at the forefront of this transformation. With an increasing number of buyers conducting their initial home searches online, offering a 3D tour can significantly improve a listing’s chances of standing out in a crowded marketplace.

Furthermore, by incorporating Zillow 3D Home Tours, sellers can cater to a wider audience, including those who might not have the opportunity to view properties in person due to geographical constraints. This allows for a more inclusive buying experience, adjusting to the diverse needs of potential buyers.

In larger markets, the competition can be fierce, and listings that lack this interactive feature can easily be overlooked. By investing in Zillow 3D Tours, agents and sellers can ensure that their properties are not only noticed but also resonate with prospective buyers.

Additionally, the data supporting the effectiveness of 3D tours cannot be ignored. Statistics indicate that a significant percentage of buyers express a preference for homes that feature virtual tours, suggesting that incorporating this technology is not just an option but a necessity for those looking to sell.

Incorporating Zillow 3D Tours aligns with modern consumer expectations. As digital natives continue to enter the housing market, real estate professionals must adapt and utilize tools that cater to their preferences, ensuring that they remain competitive.

The immersive experience offered by these tours can be complemented with additional content, such as neighborhood highlights, nearby amenities, and school district information, providing potential buyers with a holistic view of not just the home, but the community it’s part of.

As virtual tours become increasingly mainstream, the demand for high-quality content will only grow. Real estate professionals who prioritize these tools will likely see a positive impact on their business outcomes, attracting more clients and closing deals faster.

Moreover, it’s essential to highlight the importance of quality in these tours. Investing in professional photography and well-planned walkthroughs can elevate a listing significantly, making it more appealing and engaging for viewers.

Finally, as the landscape of real estate continues to evolve, those who embrace technology and innovation, such as Zillow 3D Tours, will be better positioned to meet the changing demands of the market. Adopting these tools not only enhances the selling process but also ensures a more effective and rewarding experience for buyers.


Matterport 3D Tours: The Perfect Digital Twin

Matterport 3D Tours offer a transformative approach to real estate marketing and sales, providing significant advantages for both homebuyers and real estate agents. They have revolutionized how properties are explored and marketed, moving beyond static images to deliver a truly immersive and comprehensive virtual experience.

Since April 2020, Snap2Close’s virtual tours have attracted over 85,000 interested buyers, highlighting our success in standing out among numerous competitors.

A remarkable success story features the owners of Snap2Close, who successfully sold their home to a buyer from out of state without the buyer ever having seen the property in person until the inspection. This impressive sale was made possible largely due to the detailed and engaging viewing experience provided by the Matterport 3D tour. The exceptional quality and depth of the tour significantly influenced the buyer’s decision, a sentiment reflected by their real estate agent.







For Homebuyers:
Experience Properties Like Never Before with Matterport 3D Tours

Matterport 3D virtual tours offer homebuyers an unparalleled property viewing experience, enhancing their decision-making process.

  • True Immersion and Fluidity: Buyers can virtually “walk through” properties, seamlessly navigating every room, corner, and detail at their own pace, fostering a sense of being physically present. The transitions between rooms are smooth, eliminating the disjointed experience often found in traditional 360 tours.

  • 3D Dollhouse View for Spatial Understanding: A standout feature, the 3D dollhouse view allows viewers to see a comprehensive layout of the property, understanding spatial relationships and the volume of each room. This helps buyers visually dissect the property’s structure.

  • Complete Property Exploration and Enhanced Detail: Unlike limited static images or traditional 360 tours, Matterport tours enable buyers to explore every nook and cranny, inspecting architectural elements, finishes, and finer details up close. This heightened level of observation provides a more comprehensive understanding and enhances decision-making.

  • Digital Measurement Tools: Matterport’s detailed features include measurement tools, allowing prospective buyers to accurately measure floors, walls, windows, and even furniture within the virtual space, which significantly increases interest in a listing. The technology is accurate to within inches.
  • Increased Transparency and Reduced Uncertainty: By offering a complete understanding of the property, Matterport tours provide increased transparency, allowing buyers to assess potential issues and reducing uncertainty and hesitation in their purchase decision. This can help buyers overcome cognitive biases like confirmation and anchoring bias by offering a comprehensive and accurate representation.

  • Convenience and Accessibility: Buyers can explore properties from anywhere in the world, at any time, on mobile devices or even through virtual reality (VR) headsets, saving time and effort on physical visits. This is especially useful for international buyers, relocating professionals, or those with busy schedules.

  • Confidence in Decision-Making: The immersive and detailed nature of these tours helps buyers visualize themselves in the property, building confidence in their decision and increasing their likelihood of making an offer. In fact, over half (55%) of potential buyers said they would buy a property sight-unseen if a 3D tour was available.

  • Overwhelming Preference: A study revealed that nearly 80% of property buyers and sellers would switch to a real estate agent offering immersive 3D tours. Younger generations, such as Millennials (83%) and Gen Zs (94%), show an even stronger preference.


For Real Estate Agents:
Boost Sales and Enhance Your Marketing Strategy with Matterport 3D Tours

Matterport 3D Tours are a powerful tool for real estate agents to accelerate sales, attract qualified leads, and differentiate themselves in a competitive market.

  • Increased Sales and Conversion: Matterport 3D virtual tours are an innovative way to showcase properties, capturing potential buyers’ attention and guiding them closer to making a purchase, ultimately converting interest into sales. Accelerating sales also boosts revenue and strengthens market position.

  • Attract Qualified Leads: Listings with 3D tours attract more qualified leads because buyers who invest time exploring a 3D tour are often more serious about the property, resulting in fewer wasted inquiries. This helps agents pre-qualify potential buyers, saving valuable time on in-person showings.

  • Faster Sales Cycles and Higher Prices: Properties with Matterport 3D tours can sell 20% faster and close up to 9% higher price. By reducing the need for multiple in-person viewings, Matterport accelerates the sales process, saving time for both agents and clients.

  • Enhanced Buyer Confidence: Immersive tours provide a complete understanding of the property, which helps buyers feel confident in their decision, leading to faster decisions.
  • Stand Out from Competitors: Utilizing Matterport’s technology sets agents apart from competitors by showcasing properties in a modern, captivating way, making listings stand out and converting interest into action. This provides a cutting-edge marketing tool.

  • Expanded Market Reach: Virtual tours expand market reach by allowing potential buyers to explore properties from anywhere globally, attracting a wider audience and potentially leading to faster sales and higher selling prices.

  • Comprehensive Asset Generation: A single Matterport shoot can provide agents with a 3D property tour, a virtual reality tour, high-resolution listing photos, and floor plans. Matterport tours also automatically produce shareable content like ‘Mattershort’ GIFs and video tours for social media.

  • Seller Preference and Competitive Edge: An overwhelming 99.4% of sellers reported that offering an immersive 3D tour would improve the competitive edge of their property listing, and 89% believe their listings would perform better (sell faster) with such a tour. 88% of sellers would prefer to work with a realtor who offers 3D tours.

Pricing

In the contemporary real estate market, the implementation of immersive 3D tours has become a standard practice for property marketing. Two platforms consistently emerge as industry leaders: Matterport and Zillow 3D Home.

While both services provide digital walkthrough capabilities, mobile accessibility, and enhanced user engagement beyond traditional photography, their underlying technical frameworks and strategic advantages differ significantly.

Determining the optimal platform requires a comprehensive evaluation of specific marketing objectives and property types.

Selecting the appropriate technology depends on various factors, including whether the property is a luxury estate, a residential starter home, a short-term rental, or a new construction model. Each of these categories necessitates a tailored marketing approach.

This guide provides an objective analysis of the functional strengths and limitations of both Matterport and Zillow 3D Home. Our purpose is to facilitate an informed decision-making process to ensure your property is presented using the most effective 3D tour solution for your specific requirements

Feature Zillow 3D Tour Matterport 3D Tour
Image Quality Decent Excellent
Immersive Experience Basic Excellent
Dollhouse View No Yes
Floor Plans Yes - With Fixed Furniture Yes - No Fixed Furniture
Room Measurements Average Excellent
Hosting Fee Free Yes
Cost Lower Higher



Snap2Close Real Estate Photography 
14362 N Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd, Suite 1000 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 
Support: Call or Text: 480-535-8146
Email: Support@Snap2Close.com 
Administrative Telephone: 480-420-8260




OFFICE HOURS
Support:
Monday-Friday 6AM-5PM
Saturday 8AM-5PM
Sunday 8AM-Noon

Photographers:
Monday-Saturday 8AM-5PM
SERVICES 
HDR Photography
Synergy Flash Photography
Floor Plans
Aerial Drone
Videos (MLS & Social Media) Interactive Media
3D Tours
Virtual Staging & Renovation Marketing Kits & Social Media
COVERAGE AREAS 
Phoenix
Scottsdale
Paradise Valley
Mesa
Chandler
Glendale
Peoria
Tempe
Surprise
Buckeye

©2026 Snap2Close Real Estate Photography LLC