Virtual tours for remarkable staysStayPano · Insights & guides
Where is a 360 tour hosted? Comparing the options
Where does a 360 tour live after it's built? Comparing hosting on the builder's platform, a custom domain, and self-hosting — plus the fees to clarify.
Where is a 360 tour hosted? Comparing the options
A 360 tour "lives" on the internet — and anything living on the internet needs a home, and every home has running costs. Many property owners ask about the build price but forget to ask where the tour lives and what it costs each year — then get a shock at renewal. This article compares the common hosting options so you ask the right questions upfront.
Option 1: hosted on the builder's platform
The tour provider hosts your tour on the platform they build with. This is the most common setup when hiring a service.
Pros: zero technical worries for you — outages, platform updates, backups are someone's job. Tours run reliably on infrastructure built for 360 content.
Cons: the tour "lives at someone else's house." Switching providers or going self-managed later can get complicated. Ask upfront: whose name is on the account? Can I take full control later? (One of the things to ask before ordering, as covered in how much a 360 tour costs.)
Fees: usually annual, bundled into the build quote or billed separately — get the exact number, never accept "we'll let you know later."
Option 2: custom domain + platform
The tour still runs on professional platform infrastructure, but guests reach it through your own domain (e.g. tour.yourhotel.com instead of a long forgettable link).
Pros: professional, memorable, brand-building. A short link is also easy to print on business cards and reception QR stands.
Cons: extra domain fees and setup work each year. For small properties the platform's default link is fine — a custom domain is a "nice plus," not a must.
Option 3: self-hosting
You (or your tech team) host the entire tour files on your own hosting or server.
Pros: full control, no dependence on any provider, no annual platform fees (just hosting costs).
Cons: you own everything — backups, security, updates when the tour viewer releases new versions. Panorama images are heavy files, so the hosting must be capable. Only sensible with someone technical on your side long-term.
What to ask before committing
Whichever option, get clear answers to these 4 questions before signing:
1. Whose account hosts the tour? Your name or the provider's — this decides whether you truly own your tour.
2. What's the annual hosting fee? Is year one bundled into the build price? What from year two?
3. What happens when the contract ends? Does the tour get deleted? Can you take the files?
4. Who fixes it when the tour breaks? Server outage, broken link — who repairs, and how fast?
These four are also part of StayPano's handover process — everything documented in writing before production starts, no surprise costs later.
Unsure where your tour should live? Message us on Zalo describing your property's scale — I'll recommend the most sensible hosting option, free.
Read next: How much does a 360 tour cost? · How to order a 360 tour at StayPano