This article written by the free video editor called MiniTool MovieMaker collects 13 popular 360 video platforms: some are for streaming and some are for building 360° videos. Find them below!
With the development of 360 videos, more and more people tend to enjoy the immersive digital world provided by this kind of videos. Therefore, many social media platforms support 360-degree videos. You can watch and playback 360° videos there as well as upload your own 360 footage to share with others.
General-purpose 360 video platforms:
#1 YouTube
As the most popular video-sharing platform, YouTube began to natively support 360 videos in 2015 after its support of 3D videos in 2009. Thus, it is at the top of the 360 video platforms list. Starting from April 2016, YouTube enables its users to live stream 360-degree videos. The supported 360 video resolution is up to 1440p (2K) then, the same as normal videos. Since November 2016, the supported highest resolution increased to 2160p (4K) for both normal and 360° videos.
Due to the limited number of users who watched more than 90 degrees, YouTube began supporting VR180, an alternative stereoscopic video format, which is said to be easier to create. This video format allows viewers to watch any video using virtual reality (VR) headsets.
#2 Facebook
As the “old” social media and social networking service, Facebook (now called Meta) also ranks high in the 360 video platforms list. On September 23, 2015, Facebook officially announced its support for 360 videos in News Feed, which means publishers can upload 360-degree videos to Facebook. In the following days, Facebook users can view 360 videos on desktop, Android, as well as iOS.
#3 Instagram
Instagram is a photo and video-sharing social networking service belonging to Meta, formerly Facebook. It has gained great popularity in recent years and become the biggest rival to YouTube. Therefore, there is no doubt that Instagram supports 360 videos. You can not only enjoy Instagram 360 videos online but also upload your own ones to satisfy your followers.
#4 Vimeo
Another big 360 video platform is Vimeo, a video hosting, sharing, service provider, as well as a broadcaster. Vimeo 360 videos were introduced to the public in March 2017. At the same time, Vimeo announced its support for virtual reality platforms and smartphones, stereoscopic video, and an online video series offering guides on recording and creating 360 videos.
#5 TikTok
Does TikTok support 360 videos? Of course! As a short-form video hosting service, it holds user-submitted videos and allows users to watch them through its app, with no exception for 360-degree videos. Since capturing 360° videos consumes much more power and storage space, most 360 videos are short, which is extremely suitable for TikTok.
#6 Littlstar
Littlstar, now named Rad.live, is a streaming platform and development and agency services. It builds streaming taking advantage of blockchain, VR, AR (augmented reality), XR (extended reality), NFTs (non-fungible tokens), and AI (artificial intelligence) video.
Recommended article: [Answered] What Is Mixed Reality? An Overview of Mixed Reality
Littlstar provides apps and content management for 360 and 180 videos, volumetric videos, and 4K+ videos. It is the only 360 video platform that supports all VR headsets including Oculus, PSVR, HTC Vive, Gear VR, Cardboard, Daydream, and so on.
Purpose-built 360 video platforms:
#7 Unity
Unity is a world-leading platform to create and operate interactive and real-time 3D (RT3D) content. It empowers creators across industries and all over the world. You can play 360 videos with a skybox in Unity by applying a Render Texture. Also, you need to configure camera movement relying on user input. So, Unity is also a 360 video platform.
#8 Wistia
Wistia is a platform that provides tools to help users create, host, market, and analyze videos including 360 videos. You are able to upload your 360-degree videos there and share them with others. Wistia takes care of the encoding, delivery, and playback of all your 360° videos on desktop and Android.
#9 Kuula
Kuula (kuula.co) is a popular virtual tour software to make 3D 360 tours for real estate, construction, architecture, art galleries, education, and much more. It can create virtual tours to engage your audience; provide a smooth and efficient 3D 360-degree virtual tour player online; and allow you to add 360° videos to your website.
#10 CloudPano
CloudPano is a good software platform for publishing virtual 360 tours. It requires no coding. CloudPano keeps your website domain and can live chat with clients. You can create interactive and engaging content with this 360 video platform.
#11 Avatour
Avatour features remote collaboration for on-site meetings which support 360 video communication. It allows users to collaborate on-site virtually. Remote participants in Avatour meetings are able to freely explore the 360-degree panoramic view for an enhanced experience of the environment.
#12 KuZuKiRi VR
KuZuKiRi VR (kuzukiri.edgeneer.com) is a Japanese production and distribution platform that realizes various VR/AR content such as virtual facility guides/store guides/virtual shopping/BtoB solutions/AR content/education/training/VR goggle compatible content/sightseeing/tours/events/promotions. It revolutionizes your business with 360 VR/AR.
#13 Panotour
Panotour’s (www.panotours.com.au) hand-crafted virtual tours offer a perfect way to increase your location’s exposure and attract your audience. It will put viewers into the space where you want to promote. Panotour is the creator of 360 virtual video tours and panoramic photography. Its virtual tours are of high quality, easy to explore, multiple devices compatible, and value for money.
Maybe you know some other 360 video platforms since 360-degree video is the trend nowadays. Yet, the above-mentioned websites are worth exploring in your leisure time.
About The Author
Position: Columnist
Helen enjoys the process of turning video clips and photos about herself into beautiful videos. Then, she will share the videos on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, etc. The most exciting thing is to see the increasing number of views of her videos. Helen is willing to share her ideas about making wonderful videos from scratch. Thus, she writes articles for MiniTool Technology.