“Virtual tour” can mean three very different things, and picking the wrong one wastes budget. Here is a clear, no-jargon guide to 360° tours, Matterport and 6DOF — and when each makes sense. At Golden Globe Technologies we build all three, so this is the same advice we give our own clients.
360° virtual tours: look around from fixed points
A 360 virtual tour places you at fixed photo points and lets you look in every direction, then jump to the next point. It is fast to produce, works in any browser, and is perfect for campuses, hotels and showrooms where “standing in each room and looking around” is enough.
Matterport: an automatic 3D dollhouse
Matterport is a specific 3D-scanning system that stitches a space into a dollhouse-style 3D model you can orbit and drop into. It is popular in real estate and is quick to capture — but it is tied to its own camera, platform and hosting, and the look is standardised.
6DOF: actually walk through the space
6DOF (Six Degrees of Freedom) is the most immersive option: instead of jumping between fixed points, you move freely — forward, back, side to side, up and down — as if you were really walking the space. Combined with a dollhouse overview, it is the closest thing to being there, and it is fully branded and self-hosted.
A 6DOF experience pairs free movement with a 3D dollhouse overview.
So which should you choose?
- 360° — best value and reach; ideal for campuses, hotels, showrooms and Google Street View publishing.
- Matterport — fast 3D for real estate listings where a standard dollhouse is enough.
- 6DOF — the premium experience for flagship properties, real estate and campuses that want true, free-movement immersion and full branding.
An interactive 6DOF walkthrough lets visitors move naturally through the space.
The right answer depends on your goal, budget and where the tour will live. Golden Globe Tech builds 360°, Matterport and 6DOF, so we recommend the mix that actually fits your project rather than selling one format. Book a free demo to see them side by side.