Snapshot
In design and architecture, presenting spatial ideas clearly is essential. Traditional tools like 2D floor plans can make it hard for clients to fully understand the space they're looking at. This is why more immersive, interactive methods are becoming key in the industry.
360 virtual tour software is changing the game by allowing architects, designers, and real estate professionals to create immersive and navigable, virtual environments. These tools help clients visualize spaces more clearly, improving their understanding and engagement.
Choosing the right software is crucial and greatly impacts how effectively you communicate designs and interact with clients. In the past we have written about the top 7 virtual tour software. In this blog we will compare two prominent 360 virtual tour options, Kuula and Sentio VR which will help you make an informed choice according to your organization needs.
About Kuula: User-Friendly with Broad Application across various sectors
Kuula is widely recognized for its user-friendly interface and extensive feature set tailored to both beginners and professionals. The platform supports various types of photos and offers an intuitive virtual tour editor that includes features like batch uploads, custom hotspots, and animated transitions. It's designed to be accessible to users regardless of their technical expertise across various sectors such as real estate agents, educators and architects.
Key features of Kuula
Virtual tour editor: Create engaging virtual tours with customizable features such as custom hotspots, nadir and zenith patches and interactive cards.
Comprehensive Image Compatibility: Supports both panoramic and non-panoramic images from 360 cameras as well as DSLR images helps stitching images into panoramas.
High-Performance Virtual Tour: Offers a smooth and detailed viewing experience on the web with precise details.
Mobile-Optimized Virtual Tour Experience: 360 virtual tours are easily accessible and optimized for mobile devices.
Flexible Customization and Sharing Options: Allows for easy customization for branding and straightforward sharing of virtual tours.
About Sentio VR: Specialized for professionals in the Building Industry
Sentio VR is an easy-to-use platform that is highly compatible with Meta Quest, designed to cater to the needs of professionals in the Design & Architecture industry. Known for its simplicity, SentioVR is a cloud-based workflow that allows users to access and manage VR experiences from anywhere in the world. The platform's ability to integrate with popular rendering tools like Lumion, Enscape, and Twinmotion enables users to quickly transform photorealistic 3D content into immersive VR walkthroughs in minutes.
Key features
Direct integration for effortless workflow: Effortless integration with Revit and SketchUp for seamless import of 3D models.
Standalone VR: Access immersive experiences directly on Meta Quest without PC connection with Sentio VR’s Oculus Quest lab app
Easy Customization: Enhance tours with hotspots, floor plans, multimedia, and personalized branding.
Advanced Collaboration: Easily share projects with lightweight links or host remote VR meetings with multiple stakeholders for collaborative design review in real-time.
User Management: Add users from your organization and provide access to specific projects to implement 360 tour workflow company-wide
Progress Tracking with On-Site Integration: Import and integrate 360 photos from popular cameras like Insta360 and Ricoh Theta.
Offline 360 tours: Download and view tours offline, ensuring access anywhere, anytime.
Detailed Comparison: Kuula or Sentio VR
Now, lets dive in deep into a detailed comparison of Kuula and Sentio VR which will guide you in choosing the best fit
Ease of use and User interface
Kuula: Kuula’s straightforward design offers an easy-to-use interface for creating and sharing simple virtual tours for general application across various sectors including those who have limited technical knowledge.
Sentio VR: Sentio VR is an easy-to-use platform which offers a tailored experience particularly for professionals in the Building industry with advanced features and specialized tools for more depth for detailed project presentations and design reviews.
Enterprise Security
Kuula: Offers basic security features suitable for general users, including password-protected tours to ensure content privacy. It's designed to cater to a broad user base, including freelancers and small businesses, with security that aligns with standard industry practices.
Sentio VR: Sentio VR is ISO 27001 certified and provides highest security standards that are likely more aligned with enterprise needs. This includes advanced data protection and privacy features, making it suitable for larger organizations and professionals handling sensitive information.
Advanced collaboration features
Kuula: Kuula supports some basic collaboration features such as commenting and sharing the web links which is suitable for small teams or individual contributors.
Sentio VR: Sentio VR offers advanced collaboration features such as multi-user collaboration to discuss and review designs, Annotate & capture feedback in real-time from different locations.
Native Meta Quest VR App App
Kuula: Kuula doesn’t have a Native app on Meta Quest and is only designed for online viewing. However, Kuula tours can be embedded and accessed on various platforms, which provides some level of flexibility.
Sentio VR: Sentio VR’s Oculus Quest lab app is a standalone VR app, which offers immersive experiences directly on Meta Quest without PC connection. Where you just need to enter a 6 digit access code and view your 360 tours immersively in one-click. It also allows download of 360 tours for offline viewing in case there is no internet connection.
User Management
Kuula: Provides straightforward user management tools that are easy to use but might be limited in scalability for larger organizations.
Sentio VR: Offers a comprehensive user management system that allows for detailed control over user roles and permissions, meeting the needs of larger enterprises. This includes setting access rights for different projects, adding or removing editors and managing multiple stakeholders, which is essential for firms with extensive user bases and complex project requirements.
Pricing
Kuula: Kuula offers a tiered pricing that starts with a free option making it accessible for users who want to explore basic features across general applications. Kuula offers Pro & Business plans at $20 and $36 respectively for more advanced features, such as unlimited upload, custom branding and Google Analytics integration, custom domains and password protected tours.
Sentio VR: Sentio VR's pricing is straightforward and tailored to professional use, especially in architecture and design. The pricing begins at $99 per month for the Lite plan. For larger enterprises and teams, Sentio VR offers Advanced & Enterprise plans that include multi-user collaboration and other advanced features. The key differentiators that sets Sentio VR’s apart in the market is:
Dedicated VR app which makes it quick and easy to view 360 tours in one click immersively
Capability to take quick feedback via annotations and notes in real-time
Offer enterprise grade security for data privacy and protection
Advanced features like real-time collaboration which makes it easier for the large teams and enterprise to collaborate across teams remotely Sentio VR also offers a 14 Days Free trial that encourages you to try the product and see if it’s a good fit for your organizational needs.
Comparison table
Feature Category | Kuula | SentioVR |
Ease of Use and User Interface | Straightforward design, easy-to-use for general applications. | Tailored for professionals in the building industry with advanced features. |
Enterprise Security | Basic security features suitable for general users, including password-protected tours. | ISO 27001 certified, offering advanced data protection suitable for larger organizations. |
Advanced Collaboration Features | Basic collaboration features like commenting and sharing weblinks. | Advanced collaboration options including real-time feedback and multi-user collaboration. |
Native VR App | No native Meta Quest app, primarily designed for online viewing. Can be embedded on various platforms. | Dedicated Oculus Quest app for immersive experiences without PC connection, supports offline viewing. |
User Management | Straightforward tools, may not scale well for larger organizations. | Comprehensive system for detailed control over user roles and permissions, suitable for large enterprises. |
Pricing | Free, Pro at $20/month, and Business at $36/month for advanced features. | Starts at $99/month for the Lite plan, with Advanced & Enterprise plans for larger teams needing robust tools. |
Key Differentiators | Accessible and flexible for various user levels. | 1. Dedicated VR app for one-click immersive viewing. 2. Real-time annotations and feedback. 3. Enterprise-grade security. 4. Advanced real-time collaboration features. |
Our Recommendation
When making your decision, consider the scale of your projects, the need for advanced tools, and the level of collaboration required.
If you're looking for a virtual tour software that is accessible to users of all technical skill levels and offers flexibility across various sectors like real estate, education, and small business, Kuula is highly recommended. Its user-friendly interface, combined with affordable pricing tiers, makes it ideal for individuals and small businesses that need a reliable and easy-to-use virtual tour solution without requiring deep integration with architectural software.
For professionals in the building industry, particularly those who require high-quality VR walkthroughs and advanced collaboration tools, Sentio VR is recommended. In addition to 360 panoramas, it integrates seamlessly with professional design software like Revit and SketchUp. The platform's focus on security, collaboration, and its ability to provide immersive experiences directly through the Meta Quest, as well as offline, adds significant value for professionals looking to enhance their Design reviews & presentations.
