Is There an Alternative to Matterport?

Written By John Williams

Why more organisations are considering iGUIDE Virtual Tours

For more than a decade, Matterport has been the benchmark for 3D Virtual Tours. It has set the standard for immersive property walkthroughs and remains our premium recommendation for many projects.

However, if you've been researching Virtual Tours recently, you've probably noticed another name appearing more frequently: iGUIDE.

So, is iGUIDE simply another Virtual Tour platform?

Not exactly.

Rather than trying to compete feature-for-feature with Matterport, iGUIDE has taken a different approach. It focuses on solving some of the practical challenges faced by commercial property owners, Facilities Management teams, government agencies and organisations that need Virtual Tours to remain accessible for many years.

At R24, we offer both Matterport and iGUIDE because we believe the best solution depends on your objectives, not the technology.

Matterport Is Still the Premium Platform

Let's start with the obvious.

Matterport remains the most advanced Virtual Tour platform on the market.

Its strengths include:

  • Premium 3D presentation

  • The iconic Dollhouse View

  • Advanced measurement tools

  • Excellent viewer engagement

  • Industry-leading Building Plan and BIM workflows

If presentation, immersion and advanced functionality are your priority, Matterport remains our preferred recommendation.

But not every organisation needs every feature Matterport offers.

That's where iGUIDE comes in.

Why Organisations Are Choosing iGUIDE

1. No Ongoing Hosting Fees

One of the biggest differences between the two platforms is how your Virtual Tours are hosted.

Matterport requires an active subscription to keep models online.

iGUIDE has no ongoing hosting fees.

For organisations managing dozens or even hundreds of buildings, this can significantly reduce the long-term cost of maintaining a digital building portfolio.

2. Australian Data Hosting

For many organisations, where data is stored is just as important as how it is captured.

Unlike Matterport, which hosts models overseas, iGUIDE offers Australian hosting options.

This can be particularly important for:

  • Government agencies

  • Local councils

  • Healthcare providers

  • Critical infrastructure

  • Education providers

  • Organisations with strict data residency requirements

For many procurement teams, Australian data hosting isn't simply a preference, it may be a requirement.

3. Navigation That Feels Instantly Familiar

One of the things we like most about iGUIDE is its simplicity.

iGUIDE uses a navigation style that most people already understand - a floor plan.

Rather than changing between different viewing modes, the interactive floor plan remains visible throughout the tour, allowing users to quickly understand the layout and move directly between rooms.

This makes iGUIDE particularly effective for commercial buildings, office spaces and Facilities Management where understanding the building is often more important than exploring it.

What About Building Plans?

Many people assume choosing iGUIDE means giving up the ability to create Building Plans or DWGs.

That's not the case.

At R24, we can produce:

  • Building Plans

  • Existing Conditions Plans

  • DWG Drawings

  • Floor Plans

  • Building Measurements

from both Matterport and iGUIDE captures.

Where advanced Scan-to-BIM workflows or detailed point cloud data are required, Matterport still provides the stronger platform.

Who Owns Matterport and iGUIDE?

The Virtual Tour industry has changed significantly in recent years.

Matterport is owned by CoStar Group, which also owns Domain in Australia.

iGUIDE is developed by Planitar Inc. and is now majority owned by REA Group, the company behind realestate.com.au and realcommercial.com.au.

Both organisations continue to invest heavily in their respective platforms, giving property professionals more choice than ever before.

So, Which Platform Should You Choose?

The answer depends on your priorities.

Choose Matterport if you want:

  • The most immersive Virtual Tour available

  • Premium presentation

  • Advanced measurement and BIM capabilities

  • Maximum viewer engagement

Choose iGUIDE if you want:

  • Simple, intuitive navigation

  • No ongoing hosting fees

  • Australian data hosting

  • An excellent long-term solution for commercial properties and building portfolios

Our Recommendation

One of the questions we're asked most often is:

"Which platform do you recommend?"

The honest answer is... both.

Matterport remains our premium recommendation for projects where presentation, immersion and advanced functionality are the priority.

iGUIDE offers compelling advantages for organisations focused on simplicity, Australian data hosting and reducing long-term ownership costs.

Rather than recommending the same technology for every property, we recommend the platform that best suits your property, your organisation and your long-term objectives.

That's why R24 offers both.

John Williams
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