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Virtual tours are essential tools for modern real estate marketing — especially when buyers increasingly view homes online before ever setting foot inside. Yet not all virtual tour solutions are created equal, especially when you’re thinking about long-term virtual tour hosting and how easy it will be to manage, update, and control your media over time.
For many real estate professionals, the key decision isn’t just about how a tour looks — it’s about how a platform supports their business on an ongoing basis. That’s where the question of CloudPano vs Matterport hosting comes in.
In this guide, we’ll break down hosting, storage, costs, flexibility, and the broader impacts of relying on different platforms, helping you choose between some of the top real estate virtual tour platforms — and understand which delivers the most sustainable hosting strategy.
In October 2025, Zillow made headlines by removing Matterport 3D virtual tours from its Zillow and StreetEasy listings. Zillow said the decision stemmed from a shift in licensing and the termination of an API agreement with CoStar Group — which owns Matterport — that had previously supported those tour embeds. Zillow explicitly blamed CoStar for restricting access to virtual tour content, forcing the removal. Source: Zillow removes Matterport 3D home tours from its sites
At the same time, CoStar disputed Zillow’s account, saying that users can still share Matterport tours across platforms and that Zillow’s interpretation of restrictions wasn’t accurate. Source: CoStar disputes Zillow announcement, says clients can share Matterport tours on Zillow
This dispute made it clear that even industry-leading solutions like Matterport can be subject to broader platform relationships — and that’s a big part of why agents are assessing not just features, but hosting stability and platform independence too.
When we talk about long-term virtual tour hosting, we’re referring to a platform’s ability to:
📌 Store your tours reliably over years
📌 Let you embed tours on websites, MLS fields, IDX feeds, and social media
📌 Provide consistent access even if portal partnerships change
📌 Preserve your branding separately from the hosting provider
📌 Give you control or portability over your content
Good hosting isn’t just storage — it’s ownership, accessibility, and flexibility.
CloudPano is built to give users flexible hosting and workflow control. It lets you upload panoramic images or 360° captures from a variety of cameras and publish interactive tours that you can embed nearly anywhere.
Key aspects of CloudPano hosting include:
Flexible Content Ownership
CloudPano tours are hosted in the cloud but designed to be embedded using standard iframe codes that you control. This means you aren’t fully dependent on the hosting platform to present your content — you can embed tours on your own website, landing pages, MLS IDX fields, and marketing campaigns without relying on proprietary viewers.
Custom Branding & Embeds
CloudPano allows you to white-label tours, add your logo, colors, and even custom navigation elements. For long-term hosting, this means your content remains aligned with your brand instead of being overshadowed by a third-party’s UI.
Versatile Storage
CloudPano’s virtual tour storage supports varied content types and doesn’t restrict you to one hardware source. You can upload panoramic images from many 360° cameras, giving you flexibility in how you capture and publish tours. Source: SaaSworthy.com
Embedding on Your Own Terms
Because CloudPano provides straightforward embed codes, you can place tours on your own sites and ensure they remain under your control, even if integrations with listing portals shift.
Matterport has long been one of the most recognized names in 3D virtual tour platforms for real estate — thanks in part to its detailed spatial tours and features like the “dollhouse” view and measurement tools.
But Matterport’s hosting model comes with some limitations when you’re thinking about long-term use:
Platform-Hosted Content
Matterport tours live on Matterport’s cloud servers. This means that if you cancel your subscription or something changes in the platform’s terms, you could lose access to your hosted tours — something that can be a concern for long-term asset preservation. Source: 360 Virtual Tour
Dependency on APIs and Integrations
The Zillow situation showed that even major embed partners can be affected by API changes. When a portal removes access to your tour because of a policy change, your content can suddenly become less visible — even if your tour is still hosted.
Matterport Hosting Costs Comparison
Matterport’s pricing model typically involves tiered subscriptions based on how many tours you host and what features you need. While it offers high-end capabilities, that cost can accumulate over time — and it’s tied to the platform rather than your own storage or domain.
When considering hosting, costs are as crucial as features:
Matterport typically charges monthly subscription fees that scale with how many tours you host and the level of access you want. It’s often seen as a premium solution, especially in markets where real estate agents need high-end visuals and advanced 3D scanning features. Source: The best real estate virtual tour software for 2026 (+ free options)
Because Matterport content is hosted on its servers, you’re paying for storage and ongoing access. Cancel a plan and you could lose the ability to display previously hosted tours under that plan.
CloudPano’s approach gives you more flexible pricing — including plans that support individual or small-team use without hefty subscriptions. You pay for hosting with fewer restrictions on how content is shared and embedded.
Some users appreciate that CloudPano doesn’t force tours to reside solely on a proprietary platform — you have the freedom to embed them where you like and manage your content storage more sustainably.
The answer depends on what your priorities are:
Matterport remains a leading real estate virtual tour platforms choice with powerful capabilities. Its built-in hosting makes creating tours straightforward, and its immersive quality is often unmatched.
However, its hosted model and subscription costs can bind your content and budget to a single ecosystem.
CloudPano’s focus on flexibility makes it stand out for agents and photographers who want to integrate tours deeply into their own platforms without relying on external APIs or costly ongoing storage.
To make sure your hosted tours remain useful and visible over time, look for these qualities:
Ensure your tour links can be embedded anywhere — not just on one platform.
Your assets should remain yours; avoid platforms that lock content so tightly you lose access if you stop paying.
Tours should reflect your brand, not the platform’s.
Look for solutions that let you grow without punitive cost increases.
Your tours should work seamlessly in MLS/IDX, on your site, and across social channels.
CloudPano checks many of these boxes with flexible storage and embed options, while Matterport’s polished features and spatial models might appeal to agents who prioritize immersive quality.
Your hosting choice has real consequences for your marketing strategy:
📍 SEO Visibility — Tours embedded on your own domain help drive organic traffic and keep users on your site longer.
📍 Listing Consistency — Consistent embeds across MLS, IDX, and personal sites avoid broken links and gaps in visibility.
📍 Brand Control — Self-hosted tours let you place calls-to-action, branding, and lead capture exactly where you want them.
Platforms that lock hosting behind proprietary systems limit how effectively you can integrate tours with your broader strategy.
Here’s a quick way to frame your decision:
Matterport
Pros: High-quality 3D scans, floor plans, advanced visual data
Cons: Higher hosting costs, dependent on platform ecosystem
CloudPano
Pros: Custom embeds, scalable storage, cost-effective hosting
Cons: Requires manual panoramas or uploads
Each platform has its strengths — your choice should reflect what matters most for your business long term.
Long-term virtual tour hosting isn’t just about where your tours live — it’s about how they support your marketing strategy, SEO goals, and content ownership. While Matterport delivers powerful immersive experiences and remains a top category contender, CloudPano’s hosting flexibility, branding control, and customizable storage approach make it a compelling option for agents focused on stability and long-term strategy.
When you think about CloudPano vs Matterport hosting, consider how each platform aligns with your goals — whether that’s immersive excellence or flexible control over your media assets.
Make hosting work for you — not the other way around. ⚡
Compact, ready to go anywhere
Interchangeable lens that’s upgradeable
Dual 1-inch sensors for improved clarity and low light performance
Dynamic range and 6K 360° capture
360° photo resolution at 21MP
8K 360° video recording for ultra-detailed visuals.
4K single-lens mode for traditional wide-angle shots.
Invisible selfie stick effect for drone-like perspectives.
2.5-inch touchscreen with Gorilla Glass protection.
Waterproof up to 33ft for underwater shooting.
360° photo resolution in 23MP
Slim design at 24 mm thick
Built-in image stabilization for smooth video capture.
Internal 19GB storage for photo and video storage.
Wireless connectivity for remote control and sharing.
60MP 360° still images for high-resolution photography.
5.7K 360° video recording at 30fps.
2.25-inch touchscreen for intuitive control.
USB Type-C port for fast charging and data transfer.
MicroSD card slot for expandable storage.
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