iPhone users have access to some of the most powerful 360 camera apps available anywhere — but the App Store is cluttered with tools that overpromise and underdeliver. This guide cuts through the noise with an honest comparison of the best 360 camera apps for iPhone in 2026, covering both free options and premium paid tools. Whether you're an Airbnb host, a real estate agent, or simply want to share immersive photos on social media, there's a right app for you.
Why iPhone Is Exceptional for 360 Photography
Apple's Computational Photography Advantage
The iPhone camera system — particularly on iPhone 14 Pro and newer — includes hardware and software features that directly benefit 360 photography. Photonic Engine processing improves low-light capture significantly, which matters in interior spaces like hotel rooms and real estate interiors. LiDAR depth sensing on Pro models helps apps calculate precise distances, improving stitching accuracy for close-range subjects like furniture and walls.
Apple's ProRes video and 48MP Fusion camera (iPhone 15 Pro and newer) give 360 apps a higher-quality source image to work with, resulting in final equirectangular outputs that match dedicated 360 cameras in many scenarios. For users of iPhone 16 series, the Camera Control button and A18 Pro chip's neural engine make real-time 360 stitching faster than any previous iPhone generation.
iOS-Specific App Quality Standards
Apple's App Store review process and stricter hardware certification requirements mean iOS apps tend to have fewer crashes, more polished UI, and more consistent performance across devices compared to their Android counterparts. For 360 photography, this translates to fewer failed capture sessions and more predictable output quality.
Best 360 Camera Apps for iPhone in 2026
1. Travvir — Best Overall iPhone 360 App
Performance on iOS
Travvir's iOS app leverages the iPhone's gyroscope, LiDAR (on Pro models), and computational photography pipeline to deliver 8K equirectangular outputs with minimal visible stitching seams. The guided capture experience uses augmented reality overlays to show you exactly where to point the camera — each capture position is locked and confirmed before moving to the next, preventing the coverage gaps that cause stitch failures.
Processing time on iPhone 15 Pro: 60–90 seconds on-device. Processing time on iPhone 12: 2.5–3.5 minutes. Tour hosting: Built-in with shareable links and embed codes. Price: Free tier available; Pro from $4.99/month. iOS requirement: iOS 15.0+.
Standout Feature
The AI-powered scene enhancement automatically adjusts exposure, white balance, and sharpness across all captured frames before stitching — producing evenly lit 360 photos even when parts of the scene are in shadow or harsh sunlight. This is particularly valuable for interior/exterior blends in real estate photography.
2. Google Street View (iOS) — Best Free 360 App for iPhone
Overview
The Google Street View iOS app offers the same Photo Sphere guided capture as the Android version, with direct publishing to Google Maps. On iPhone 14 Pro+, it can capture up to 7.2K equirectangular images. The interface is clean and beginner-friendly, with clear visual guidance for each capture position.
Price: Completely free. Best use case: Adding your business to Google Maps with interior 360 photos, or contributing to Google Street View. Not suitable for private tour hosting or property listings requiring access control.
3. Matterport for iPhone — Best for 3D Dollhouse Tours
What Sets It Apart
Matterport's iPhone app uses the device's LiDAR sensor (iPhone 12 Pro and newer) to create true 3D spatial scans with their signature Dollhouse view. This goes beyond standard 360 photography into full spatial computing territory. The output is stunning for high-end real estate and architectural showcasing.
Pricing: Starter plan is free (limited to 1 active space); Pro plan at $65/month for unlimited spaces. Best for: Luxury real estate listings, architectural firms, and property managers with large portfolios. Limitation: Requires iPhone 12 Pro or newer for 3D scanning; older iPhones only capture standard photos.
For a detailed side-by-side breakdown, see our comparison of Matterport vs 360 virtual tours.
4. Momento360 — Best for Team Collaboration
Momento360's iOS app targets professional teams who need to manage large libraries of 360 photos across multiple properties or locations. The app supports bulk import from iPhone camera roll, automatically processes equirectangular images, and provides team collaboration tools including comment threads, approval workflows, and role-based access.
Price: Free for individuals; team plans from $20/month. Best for: Photography studios, real estate agencies, and hospitality chains managing multiple properties.
5. Camera+ 360 — Best for Manual Control
For iPhone photographers who want granular control over their 360 captures — ISO, shutter speed, white balance brackets — Camera+ 360 offers the most comprehensive manual settings of any 360 app on iOS. It's the preferred choice for professional photographers transitioning to 360 work who don't want to give up exposure control.
Free 360 Apps for iPhone: What You're Getting
Quality Ceiling of Free Apps
The honest reality of free 360 apps for iOS in 2026 is that they fall into two camps. The first camp — Google Street View and Travvir's free tier — genuinely produce usable, professional-quality 360 photos with no payment required. The second camp of "free" apps in the App Store produces low-resolution, heavily watermarked images suitable only for personal sharing.
When evaluating any free 360 camera app, check these three things immediately: maximum output resolution (anything below 6K is limiting for professional use), watermark policy (are watermarks on the image itself or just in the viewer?), and export options (can you download the equirectangular JPEG/PNG file, or are you locked into their platform?).
When to Upgrade to Paid
If you're using 360 tours for business — real estate listings, hotel marketing, Google Business Profiles, or client deliverables — the upgrade to a paid app tier typically pays for itself with a single additional booking or sale. The monthly cost of Travvir Pro ($4.99) is less than one hour of a professional photographer's time, yet delivers tours you can create yourself in 20 minutes.
iPhone Model Comparison: Which Works Best
iPhone 16 Series (Best Performance)
The A18 Pro chip's neural engine processes 360 stitching 40% faster than iPhone 14 Pro generation chips. Camera Control hardware button allows hands-free capture triggering, reducing camera shake. The 48MP main + 12MP ultrawide combination gives 360 apps excellent coverage flexibility. Expected output: 8K equirectangular, sub-60-second processing in Travvir.
iPhone 14 and 15 Series (Excellent Performance)
These models hit the sweet spot of performance and price for 360 photography. All Pro variants include LiDAR for depth-assisted stitching. The Photonic Engine significantly improves interior photography in mixed or low lighting. Expected output: 7.5–8K, 90–150 second processing.
iPhone 12 and 13 Series (Good Performance)
Still fully capable for most 360 photography use cases. LiDAR on Pro models. Processing times are noticeably longer at 2.5–4 minutes. Output quality at 6–7K is professional enough for real estate listings and Google Business Profiles.
iPhone 11 and Earlier (Limited)
Most 360 apps still support iPhone 11 but processing times can exceed 6 minutes and may crash on large scenes. Output is limited to approximately 5–6K. Suitable for casual use; not recommended for regular professional work.
Setting Up Your iPhone for the Best 360 Results
Camera Settings to Configure Before Shooting
Disable Smart HDR: Go to Settings → Camera → toggle off Smart HDR. HDR processing between frames causes colour inconsistencies in 360 stitches. Use manual HDR control through your 360 app instead. Enable Grid: The camera grid helps you maintain consistent horizon angles between capture positions. Set maximum photo format: In Settings → Camera → Formats, select "Most Compatible" (JPEG) if your 360 app doesn't natively support HEIF input.
Storage and Memory
A 12-frame 360 capture session generates approximately 150–400 MB of temporary files during processing. Ensure you have at least 2 GB of free storage before starting a session. Close all background apps to maximise available RAM — on iPhones with 6 GB RAM or less, background apps compete with 360 stitching for memory and can cause processing failures.
Conclusion: Best 360 Camera App for iPhone
Travvir is the best overall 360 camera app for iPhone in 2026, delivering the highest quality output, fastest on-device processing, and a complete virtual tour hosting solution in one app. For users who need entirely free functionality, Google Street View remains the strongest option, particularly for Google Business Profile integration.
If you own an iPhone 12 Pro or newer and need truly impressive 3D spatial scans for luxury real estate or architectural work, Matterport is worth its higher price point.
Your iPhone is already one of the most capable 360 photography devices ever made. The right app is all that stands between you and professional virtual tours.
