Knowledge Base
Find answers to frequently asked questions about our services, products, and processes.
What is the difference between AR, VR, and MR?
Augmented Reality (AR) overlays digital content onto the real world through a camera — you still see your actual surroundings. Virtual Reality (VR) fully immerses you in a computer-generated environment using a headset — the real world is completely blocked out. Mixed Reality (MR) blends both, allowing digital objects to interact with the physical environment in real time. Augmento focuses on AR because it's the most accessible — requiring only a smartphone, no special hardware.
What is the exact difference between a 360 virtual tour and an interactive 3D model?
A 360 virtual tour stitches together spherical panoramic photographs that you view from fixed positions, jumping between predefined "hotspots." An interactive 3D model is a full geometric reconstruction of the space — you can move freely through it in any direction, view it from above in a "dollhouse" view, examine accurate floor plans, and take measurements. The 3D model contains actual spatial data; the 360 tour is purely photographic.
What are the best affordable alternatives to Matterport for real estate virtual tours?
Several platforms offer competitive alternatives: Metareal Stage (free to CA$9.95/month) produces true 3D models at a fraction of the cost. Zillow 3D Home is completely free and auto-syndicates to major portals. CloudPano and Kuula offer browser-based tour creation starting under $15/month. Each trades some of Matterport's AI-driven automation for significantly lower recurring costs.
How does Metareal Stage compare to Matterport for creating 3D dollhouse models?
Metareal Stage produces true 3D models at a much lower price point but requires more manual effort. Where Matterport's AI automatically reconstructs geometry, Metareal asks users to either manually stitch the 3D environment or pay platform artists for reconstruction. The visual output is comparable for most real estate purposes, but the workflow is fundamentally different — trading automation for affordability.
What is the exact difference in quality between Zillow 3D Home and a professional Matterport scan?
Zillow 3D Home uses smartphone cameras (including Lidar on iPhone Pro) to create tours that are good but noticeably lower fidelity than Matterport Pro scans. Matterport offers higher resolution imagery, more accurate geometry, precise measurements, automatic floor plans, and CAD/Revit export capabilities. Zillow's advantage is zero cost and instant syndication — for many listings, this outweighs the quality gap.
Is 3D Vista Virtual Tour Pro worth the one-time cost for a real estate agency?
3D Vista's perpetual license model (approximately $499 one-time) eliminates recurring SaaS fees, which can save thousands annually for high-volume agencies. It offers advanced features like Live Panorama transitions and Adaptive HDR that web-based competitors lack. The tradeoff: steeper learning curve, no automated 3D reconstruction, and you must arrange your own hosting. For agencies producing 10+ tours monthly, the break-even versus subscription platforms is typically under 6 months.
How does the Ricoh Theta Z1 compare to the Insta360 X4 for indoor real estate photography?
The Ricoh Theta Z1 excels in image quality with larger 1-inch sensors, superior low-light performance, and better dynamic range for challenging interior lighting. The Insta360 X4 offers higher video resolution, more robust stabilization, and a more modern app ecosystem at roughly half the price. For pure real estate stills, the Theta Z1 produces cleaner images; for agents who also want video walkthroughs, the Insta360 X4 is more versatile.
Which augmented reality real estate app is best for visualizing realistic furniture placement?
For consumer-facing furniture visualization, IKEA Place and Houzz lead in realism and catalog depth. For professional real estate staging, roOomy and BoxBrownie offer extensive furniture libraries specifically designed for property marketing. Apple's RoomPlan API (iPhone Pro) provides the best spatial anchoring accuracy for AR placement, so apps leveraging this framework tend to produce the most convincing results.
How does VPiX virtual tour software compare for commercial real estate and hotel interiors?
VPiX positions itself for the hospitality and commercial sectors with features tailored to multi-room, multi-floor commercial spaces. It offers custom navigation maps, integrations with booking engines, and multi-language support that residential-focused platforms often lack. For hotels and large commercial properties requiring branded, interactive experiences with reservation CTAs, VPiX offers a more specialized toolset.