Matterport Data Ownership Explained: What You Own vs. What You Don’t

One of the most common — and confusing — questions we hear from clients is about Matterport data ownership.

“Do I actually own my Matterport data?”

The short answer: yes, but with limits.

While you own the rights to your scans and exported deliverables, Matterport is a proprietary platform. That means the interactive 3D model requires ongoing hosting in the Matterport Cloud to stay viewable. Understanding these distinctions is critical to budgeting and avoiding surprises.

This guide will break down:

What you own vs. what Matterport controls
How hosting and licensing fees work
What export files you can take with you
Ongoing costs to keep your models accessible

This post directly supports our Matterport Pricing & Costs Guide by explaining one of the biggest hidden cost drivers: hosting and licensing.

Who Owns Matterport Data?

The scan itself is yours. The platform it lives on is not.

✅ You Own:

The rights to your scans once the project is paid for
Exported deliverables (floor plans, E57 point clouds, BIM/CAD files, 360° photos)

❌ You Don’t Own:

The Matterport Cloud platform that powers the interactive 3D model
The proprietary system that makes the “walkthrough” experience possible

Think of it like publishing a book on Amazon Kindle. The book is yours, but Kindle is the only place it can be read unless you reformat it.

Hosting & Licensing Explained

Matterport models live on Matterport’s secure cloud servers. Without hosting, the model cannot be viewed or shared.

At Perspective 3D, here’s how it works:

Every new scan can include an initial free hosting period (ask us how).
After that, a hosting, licensing, and maintenance fee applies to keep your model live.
These fees cover Matterport’s cloud costs and our management of your data.

👉 Important: If hosting expires, your tour doesn’t disappear — it just becomes inaccessible until hosting is renewed.

Exportable Deliverables (What You Can Keep)

Even if you stop hosting, you still keep and use exported files:

E57 Point Cloud → raw 3D data for CAD and BIM workflows
TruePlan Floor Plans → Xactimate-ready 2D layouts for insurance claims
BIM/CAD Models → Revit or CAD-ready versions of your space
360° Photos → panoramic still images, usable independently
Schematic Floor Plans → simple 2D black-and-white layouts

These deliverables are yours permanently. They don’t require ongoing hosting.

The Cost of Hosting & Licensing

Hosting is one of the most misunderstood parts of Matterport data ownership and pricing.

Typical hosting costs include:

Initial hosting → May be included for a limited period
Renewal hosting → Monthly or annual fees after the initial period
Licensing → Covers access to Matterport’s proprietary platform
Maintenance → Perspective 3D’s service to keep everything updated and supported

At Perspective 3D, we bundle these into a single hosting/licensing/maintenance fee so clients aren’t hit with surprise bills.

Hidden Costs to Ask About

When comparing providers, always confirm:

How long is hosting included?
What’s the renewal cost after that period?
Is the fee per model, per month, or per year?
Are data exports included, or do they cost extra?

Industry Examples

Real Estate Broker

Needs: Short-term hosting for listings, schematic floor plans, still photos
Ownership Impact: Hosting can expire once the property sells

Architect / Contractor

Needs: Short-term hosting + E57 point clouds for design
Ownership Impact: Export files matter more than the live tour

Insurance Adjuster

Needs: Short-term hosting + TruePlan for claims management
Ownership Impact: Hosting required until claim closes; exports keep value afterward

Museum / Gallery

Needs: Permanent hosting for public access + MatterTags
Ownership Impact: Hosting is non-negotiable; the tour is the asset

FAQ: Matterport Data Ownership

Q1: Can I download the 3D tour to my computer?
Not in an interactive format. The tour only functions within Matterport Cloud.

Q2: What happens if I stop hosting?
The tour is archived and becomes inaccessible. You still own exported files like E57, BIM, or photos.

Q3: Can I transfer hosting to another provider?
Yes. We just need the email of the Matterport account holder. All post-production edits remain!

Q4: Does Perspective 3D mark up hosting fees?
Our hosting/licensing/maintenance fee covers Matterport’s costs and our management.

Q5: Is hosting required forever?
Only if you want the tour to remain accessible. Exported files remain usable without hosting.

Checklist: What to Confirm with Any Provider

Hosting period included in the initial price
Renewal fees and billing cycle (monthly/annual)
Which deliverables are included vs. add-ons
Access terms if hosting lapses
Policies on re-scans and updates

Perspective 3D Hosting Summary & Options

Hosting Details

First Year Discount→ Perspective 3D provides the first year of hosting at a reduced rate through monthly promotions.
Ongoing Hosting Fee → $149 per year after the first year, covering:
- Matterport AWS cloud hosting
- Updates to media tags
- Ongoing support
Volume Discounts Available.

Google Integration

If hosting stops, the tour can be archived from Matterport Cloud but remain visible on Google Business Listings and Maps, ensuring ongoing visibility. Askus about tow tours for the price of one!

Non-Downloadable Nature

Matterport tours cannot be downloaded as standalone files; they rely on Matterport’s proprietary system.

Alternative Options

Perspective 3D can provide all 360° images as standalone files (requires a 360° viewer).

Benefits of Continuing Hosting

Seamless functionality within Matterport ecosystem
Ongoing updates and relevancy
Full interactivity and accessibility maintained

Conclusion

Matterport data ownership can be confusing — but it doesn’t have to be. You own your scans and exported files, but hosting is essential to keep the immersive 3D tour alive.

At Perspective 3D, we make ownership, hosting, and pricing clear and transparent so you can budget with confidence.

📞 Call us today at 616-312-3947 with questions about hosting or licensing, or download our P3D Client Support & Matterport Pricing Guide for a deeper breakdown.

📥 Download Our P3D Client Support & Matterport Pricing Guide

Get a detailed breakdown of pricing, hosting, and deliverables — designed to help you budget with confidence.

Resources:

Matterport Data Ownership Explained: What You Own vs. What You Don’t