.png)
Virtual tours are essential marketing tools for real estate professionals. They immerse buyers in a property online, boost engagement, and can dramatically reduce time on market. Choosing the right real estate virtual tour hosting platform empowers agents and brokers to showcase properties effectively — but not all hosting options are created equal.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the best virtual tour platforms for agents, important capabilities of 360° property tour software, and what to consider when selecting virtual tour solutions for realtors. We’ll also examine the recent dispute involving Zillow, Matterport, and CoStar — a development that has implications for how tours are displayed and shared across platforms.
Let’s begin. 🚀
Virtual tours give buyers a sense of space and flow before they step through the door. A hosted virtual tour allows your content to load quickly, work across devices, and live on:
Great hosting solutions provide reliable playback, branding options, analytics, and seamless integration with your existing marketing stack. These features separate hobbyist tours from truly professional displays.
When evaluating real estate virtual tour hosting platforms, focus on these capabilities:
Slow-loading tours frustrate users. Hosting must support smooth playback and mobile responsiveness.
You should be able to embed tours on your own site, MLS listings, and across social media.
Features like navigation hotspots, floor plans, guided walkthroughs, and info bubbles increase engagement.
You want your logo, contact details, and colors integrated into the tour experience.
Knowing how long viewers stay in a tour, what rooms they explore, and where engagement drops off can inform follow-up.
Here’s a look at platforms popular with real estate professionals of all sizes.
CloudPano is widely regarded as one of the most flexible 360° property tour software solutions for agents.
Pros of CloudPano:
CloudPano doesn’t restrict to a single proprietary camera ecosystem, giving agents choice and flexibility.
Matterport is among the most recognizable names in virtual tour solutions for realtors, especially for immersive 3D tours.
Why it’s popular:
However, Matterport’s hosting and distribution is tied to licensing agreements and partnerships — which became a major point of contention in industry disputes late in 2025.
Zillow 3D Home offers a free and easy way to create tours tightly integrated with Zillow property listings.
Advantages:
Limitations:
Given its direct connection to Zillow listings, it’s a practical complement to broader hosting services.
Kuula is another full-featured 360° property tour hosting platform with strong branding options and interactive features.
Kuula can be a great fit for agents prioritizing simplicity and affordability.
EyeSpy360 combines tour hosting with interactive features like:
This is useful if you want an engaging live agent-led tour experience, in addition to on-demand tours.
One of the biggest tech conversations in real estate has involved a public dispute between Zillow Group, CoStar Group, and Matterport over virtual tour distribution and licensing.
In October 2025, Zillow announced it had removed Matterport 3D virtual tours from its Zillow and StreetEasy listing pages. Zillow claimed this was because CoStar (which acquired Matterport earlier in 2025) chose not to renew the API agreement that allowed Zillow to display Matterport 3D tours. Zillow characterized this as a restriction that impedes real estate professionals and limits tour visibility. Source: Zillow pulls Matterport tours from listings, blames CoStar
Zillow stated that CoStar’s updated terms of service now restrict the use of Matterport virtual tours on third-party sites, forcing it to pull those tours from Zillow’s own platform. Zillow argued this hurts agents who rely on immersive media to attract buyers and that Zillow’s built-in 3D Home tool can still run virtual tours freely. Source: Zillow pulls Matterport tours from listings, blames CoStar
CoStar and Matterport disputed Zillow’s claims, releasing statements asserting that Matterport customers retain the ability to share their tours anywhere, including on Zillow’s platform, and that Zillow’s interpretation misrepresented the situation. They said the only restrictions apply to content created by CoStar for use exclusively on CoStar-owned properties like Homes.com or Apartments.com. Source: CoStar disputes Zillow announcement, says clients can share Matterport tours on Zillow
This dispute highlights a key reality: control over 3D content and where virtual tours can be displayed depends not just on the quality of your media but on platform licensing and partnerships. Agents should:
Understanding how hosting platforms and portal agreements intersect can help protect your marketing visibility.
Observers have noted that this dispute between Zillow and CoStar isn’t just technical, but part of a larger competitive rivalry over listings, data access, and platform leverage in real estate technology. Some analysts warn that when big platforms restrict third-party access, it could reduce innovation or choice for brokers and agents.
MLS and IDX rules vary by region, but the best real estate virtual tour hosting options allow you to:
✔ Place unbranded or compliant iFrame tour links
✔ Embed tours in agent websites
✔ Add virtual tour links to MLS listing fields
Many MLS systems restrict embedded iFrames, so offering multiple links (e.g., both Zillow and a secondary hosted tour) ensures buyers can always view the content.
Here are some key criteria:
Can agents upload tours quickly and share them across channels?
Does the platform support agent logos, contact details, and custom colors?
Does the platform help you understand tour performance?
Who actually owns your hosted content? Can you easily move it to other platforms?
Compare monthly subscriptions, usage limits, and team licenses.
Virtual tours hosted on the right platform can:
When paired with strong listing photos, tours enrich your property marketing.
Some mistakes agents make include:
❌ Relying on a single listing portal for all tour visibility
❌ Using overly heavy media that loads slowly
❌ Choosing platforms that lock content to one ecosystem
Always think about where your buyers are searching (MLS, Zillow, Realtor.com, broker sites) and make sure tours show up cleanly everywhere.
Looking ahead, hosting platforms are adding:
These advances help realtors deliver richer, more informative buyer experiences.
Virtual tours are no longer optional — they’re expected. But where and how you host those tours matters just as much as the images themselves. Whether you choose CloudPano, Matterport, Zillow’s built-in tool, or another solution, prioritize flexibility, branding, and forwarding compatibility with MLS and IDX systems.
The recent dispute between Zillow, Matterport, and CoStar illustrates that platform politics can influence how tours are distributed and displayed. By hosting your tours independently and diversifying your approach, you protect your marketing efforts and ensure buyers can always experience your properties fully.
If you need help comparing platforms based on your budget, listings volume, or marketing goals, I’d be glad to help! 📲
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.
.png)
.png)
Try it free. No credit card required. Instant set-up.
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}