Matterport vs Google Street View Virtual Tours: Which Is Right for Your Business? (2026)
Because Google hosts the imagery, there are no monthly fees. Once published, the tour stays live for free. This makes Street View the strongest option for local SEO and businesses that rely on footfall: restaurants, gyms, showrooms, salons, retailers and hospitality venues.
360 Virtual Tours · Updated 2026Quick answer: Choose a Google Street View virtual tour if you want to appear directly on Google Search and Google Maps and attract local customers, with no ongoing hosting fees. Choose Matterport if you need a fully immersive 3D "digital twin" with measurement tools and dollhouse views – ideal for estate agents, property developers and large venues. Many UK businesses get the best results by combining the two.
Matterport vs Google Street View: at a glance
| Feature | Google Street View | Matterport 3D |
|---|---|---|
| Where it lives | Google Search, Maps & Business Profile | Your website & shareable link |
| Best for | Local visibility & footfall | Immersive 3D exploration |
| 3D dollhouse & floor plans | No | Yes |
| Measurement tools | No | Yes |
| Ongoing hosting fees | None – hosted free by Google | Monthly Matterport subscription |
| Typical starting price | From around £350 | From around £350 |
What is a Google Street View virtual tour?
A Google Street View tour is a set of connected 360° panoramas published directly to your Google Business Profile, Google Maps and Google Search. When someone searches for your business, they can step inside and look around before they ever visit – powerful reassurance at the exact moment a customer is deciding where to go.
Because Google hosts the imagery, there are no monthly fees. Once published, the tour stays live for free. This makes Street View the strongest option for local SEO and businesses that rely on footfall: restaurants, gyms, showrooms, salons, retailers and hospitality venues.
What is a Matterport 3D virtual tour?
A Matterport 3D tour creates a complete "digital twin" of a space. Visitors can move room to room, switch to an overhead dollhouse view, and even take accurate measurements. It is the most immersive format available and works beautifully on a website, in an email, or embedded in a property listing.
Matterport tours are hosted on the Matterport platform, which involves a small ongoing subscription. The trade-off is depth: nothing matches a digital twin for letting people truly understand a space. That makes it the go-to choice for estate agents, property developers, architects, large training facilities and heritage venues.
How much do they cost?
Both formats start from a similar capture cost – typically from £350 for smaller spaces, scaling with the size of the property. The key difference is ongoing cost: Google Street View is a one-off with free hosting forever, while Matterport adds a monthly subscription to keep the 3D model live. For a full breakdown, see our virtual tour pricing guide.
Which should you choose?
Choose Google Street View if your customers find you through Google, you want to boost local rankings and footfall, and you prefer a one-off cost with no ongoing fees.
Choose Matterport if you need a 3D model with measurements and floor plans, you market properties or large venues, or your customers expect to explore a space floor by floor before committing.
Why not both?
The two formats complement each other. A Google Street View tour captures local search traffic and builds trust on Google, while a Matterport tour gives serious prospects a deep, interactive experience on your website. Used together, they cover the full customer journey – from discovery to decision.
Get expert advice
Not sure which is right for you? As an experienced UK virtual tour company, we produce both Matterport 3D tours and Google Street View tours for businesses across the country. Get in touch for a free, no-obligation quote and we will recommend the best approach for your space and goals.
Related guides
- Matterport virtual tours: a complete guide
- 3D virtual tours explained
- What is a 360 virtual tour?
- How much a 360 virtual tour costs in the UK
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Matterport and Google Street View tours?
Google Street View tours are published to Google Maps and Search, making them ideal for local visibility. Matterport creates an immersive 3D digital twin of your space with a dollhouse view and measurement tools, ideal for estate agents and larger venues.
Which type of virtual tour is better for SEO?
For local SEO, Google Street View has the edge because it appears directly on Google Maps and Search. Matterport supports SEO by keeping visitors on your website for longer, which is a positive engagement signal to Google.
How much do Matterport and Google Street View tours cost?
Both typically start from £350 for a smaller space, scaling with size. The main difference is ongoing cost: Google Street View is hosted free by Google, while Matterport carries a small monthly hosting subscription.
Which is better for estate agents and property?
Matterport is usually the stronger choice for property, because the 3D dollhouse view, floor plans and measurements let buyers understand the layout before viewing. Google Street View still helps property businesses get found locally on Google.
How long does it take to create a virtual tour?
On-site capture for a typical space takes a few hours, and most tours are ready to go live within a few working days, depending on size and the level of branding and editing required.
Can I have both a Matterport and a Google Street View tour?
Yes. Many businesses use a Google Street View tour for discovery on Google Maps and a Matterport tour for an immersive experience on their website. Together they cover the full customer journey, from discovery to decision.
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Ready to talk about a tour?
Bespoke 360, Matterport 3D or Google Street View: tell us about the space and we will recommend the right format and give you a clear price.