New immersive user experiences and technologies are here! 360 camera apps and newest cameras for panoramic images are revolutionizing photography, social media and even marketing. With our mobile devices we can take all-round panoramic pictures to view them in stunning details. Mobile apps and phones’ cameras can take us to virtual tours of any place on Earth.
With all the hype around virtual reality (VR) each one of us can now lift a curtain into this world just having a smartphone. More sophisticated, though, may require special three-sixty cameras and equipment.
Yet, there is Cardboard viewer, cheap and comprehensible for everyone – check out 25 best Cardboard apps. There’s also Google Camera, the app for 360-degree images and videos, photo spheres. But that is far from all. As VR content becomes increasingly popular, we’ve decided to gather best 360 camera apps in one place. Here we go.
Best 360 camera apps for Android
#1 Panorama 360
A first panorama app that comes to mind instantly is Panorama 360. By the way, we should warn you to be prepared for numerous app titles with words Panorama and 360 in it. A bit confusing, apparently, but that’s why we are here to help.
So why is this one the best 360 camera apps? It allows capturing three-sixty panoramas and video, in 3 modes – normal, manual and real-time. A single tap to initiate the shot, move around with the phone and done. The editor app automatically builds a panorama.
Over 5 million installs already, which proves the solidity of this Android 360 app. In touch with modern trends, this camera app allows uploading images to Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr. You can view images made though the app either flat or with 3D viewers. Another cool feature is geo-tagging – to mark location of panoramas or see the similar ones nearby.
Business model: In-app advertising + In-app purchases. In-app purchases one of most popular choice to earn money from a camera 360 app. Without purchasing user may still fully use app functionality for free, but extra features make it way more comfortable.
- Purchasing stitch later allows a user to take 10 times more panoramas while saving 95% of battery.
- HD Capture gives user access to HD resolution for their own panoramas.
- Dropbox sync provides user with availability to directly access their Dropbox cloud storage and operates with it.
- Watermarks remove allow to save panoramas without it.
- Facebook sharing simplifies sharing actions to a user.
#2 Photaf Panorama Pro
With a simple user interface and incredible photographic possibilities, Photaf is an accessible VR camera app. High definition mode of capturing 360 images lets you set them as your phone’s wallpaper.
The company’s one way to market and present the app is that it is a great tool for real-estate agents. They can create fascinating VR tours and/or 3D imagery of apartments and houses to interest clients in new ways.
Related topic: The cost to make virtual reality tours for real-estate.
Photaf camera app features automatic image stitching, 360-degree panorama, photosphere, social media sharing. Users can export 3D images, or move galleries to phone’s SD card. There’s also a premium version, where you may upload images to Photaf site and view it on PC. Extra possibilities include HD mode, portrait mode, etc.
Business model: Paid app / In-app advertising + In-app purchases. Selling app for the ridiculously cheap price $2 will make most people satisfied with buying it even for using once. On the other hand, there is a free version with ads and in-app purchasing. It provides user a choice to unlock only certain features, while Pro version has it all unlocked.
- HD Mode.
- Super HD mode.
- Portrait.
- Adjust Exposure.
- De-Vignetting.
- Ad-free experience.
In-app advertising appears when the app launches and stays active on screen in the center or in the bottom part.
#3 Roundme
This is probably one of the most feature-packed 360 camera apps. Although, the Android app is primarily aimed at viewing three-dimensional VR images on your phone or through a headset with phone inserted.
In order to view properly, a phone should also have the accelerometer and the gyroscope. Its motion-sensitive panorama viewer brings you only best scenery from all over the world. To create and upload your own 360 content you need to use Roundme web service.
So with this 360 video app you can explore places, nature and cities from best photographers, architects and artists. All images are of great quality, JPEG and TIFF formats up to 65.000 pixels in multi-resolution. You can also search any place on the planet through the app and enjoy panoramic views. Social media and feed included, surely.
Business model: free app + subscription. Here app provides access to app’s advanced features and content for a fixed amount of time, rather than selling it all in once.
- One month Pro Account subscription.
- Annular Pro Account subscription (30% cheaper than 12-month subscription in summary).
Moreover, this photo sphere app promises discounts to non-profit organizations. Pro account provides more comfortable use terms:
- Unlocked upload limits (free version limited to 15 images per week)
- Highest Quality allows creating large images up to 65.000 px wide (best for VR experience). Also 8 bit TIFF’s and JPEG’s formats available.
- Multiresolution helps create best VR panoramas.
- Custom Branded Embeds allows get rid of the standard Roundme logo and add one of your own.
- Safe & Secure Storage get access to your own cloud storage.
- Unlisted Tours optionally hide your tours from RoundMe lists, but allow to share it.
#4 Pano
Not that popular 360 panorama app, nor has it an eye-catching bombastic advertisement, though it does it’s job. Pano app comes with reliable functionality to create 3D images, nice UI, and panorama building.
It uses up to 16 images from a smartphone and a semi-transparent guide on a screen to navigate your actions. Such extra options as photo alignment and color correction make it one of the best 360 camera apps.
Created 360 panoramas saved onto your phone. The beauty of this app is its single purpose – to take nice 360-degree pictures and store them on a phone. Nothing else, nothing excessive. Version for iPhone and Windows phones are also available as of lately. To check out what images people take with Pano, go to official Pano 360 camera app group.
Business model: Paid app ($0.7). Pano has no more additional paid features. So you get access to all it contains and functionality kit once and for all.
#5 Sphere
Ever wondered how Paris looks from the sky? Want to get closer to glaciers in Antarctica? Sphere 360 camera app you are free to take virtual tours around the globe and enjoy panoramic views.
As title suggests, with this app you can create great-looking spherical images while you travel and share it with your friends. This project started back in 2012 and won various tech awards by Mashable, Wired, Travel Weekly.
Users can search 360 content by category, by location or check related events. You can also build a newsfeed in the app to follow favorite photographers. And of course, taking panoramic pictures yourself is possible (mainly with Samsung phones so far). One additional sweet thing, especially for VR developers, is Sphere’s 360 Camera APK free download.
Business model: Free app. While this photo sphere camera app is completely free to use, Sphere’s 360 Camera APK also in open access to download.
Best 360 camera apps for iPhone
So we are half down the road, and as you can see 360 camera apps are gaining traction. Which is no wonder if take into account huge popularity of virtual reality and 360 videos of any sort on YouTube. Yet most of 360 panorama apps only offer viewing experience. And the tendency naturally appears, that more of them will focus on user generated content. I.e. more apps will allow users create own panoramic photos and share them. Let’s name some of the best 360 camera apps for iOS devices.
#1 Cycloramic
The winner of ‘Best iOS app’ by TechCrunch few years back surely deserves a look. And there are truly certain features sending this 360 camera app to the top. High-definition resolution for images up to 42 Megapixels, that’s first. Secondly, a hands-free mode for 360-degree images. Phone automatic rotation all way round if put on a smooth surface resulting in full panoramas, that one can view in headsets as well.
With over 20 million downloads, Cycloramic is a great mobile app to create panoramic images fast and easy. It works on iPhone 5 / 5S / 6, iPad and Apple Watch. And it works really fast – it takes about 5 seconds to capture 180-degree panorama. So 10 seconds for full 360 image. What is also incredible is the ability to transfer images into videos, in medium or high resolution.
Business model: Paid app ($2). Cycloramic provide full access to all app features after it purchased. So, no need to spend more to unlock better features.
#2 Panorama
Yet another Panorama-titled app, but all is not so simple in this case. By that we mean, that this application both for iOS and Mac applies a really scientific approach to image stitching. It’s the mathematical technique for image matching, which especially suits for panoramas of architecture and buildings.
The app does not warp horizontal image edges to form a panorama. They, of course, do not reveal the algorithm in use, but resulting 360 images appear rather flat and less spherical. The app automatically adds geographical location data on pictures users take.
One cool feature standing out is horizontal or vertical panorama selection – to choose a shooting method, resulting in variety of possibilities. Users can also export separate original images out of a panoramic view. Plenty of editing back-and-forth options as well. Premium version for Mac with advanced features available for $12.
Users can also export separate original images out of a panoramic view. Plenty of editing back-and-forth options as well. Premium version for Mac with advanced features available for $12.
Business model: Free app / Paid app. While the app is free for use on iPhones and iPads it have limited content, features and options. However, Mac version (that worth $12) have all advanced functionality kit available. In other words, to make something really great you have to use Mac version.
#3 FOV
Formerly known as Photonomie, FOV is in the line of best 360 camera app for iPhone that works in real-time mode. You are not only able to make panoramic images by moving around your phone horizontally. The app works in such way that you can move in all directions while taking a pic. What is also great about FOV app, is that users can share 360 content instantly through messengers like
The app works in such way that you can move in all directions while taking a pic. What is also great about FOV app, is that users can share 360 content instantly through messengers like iMessenger, Facebook or Whatsapp.
Related topic: How much does it cost to make an app like Whatsapp
With this 360 panorama app users also have access to the extensive collection of scenery and places from New-York, Paris. By the way, a little “Designed with love in Paris” slogan on their site adds a touch of romance to the product. Field-of-View, as they call it, was inspired by technology in Mars Rover project by NASA. That is
Field-of-View, as they call it, was inspired by technology in Mars Rover project by NASA. In that way the method for image stitching is purely native to a smartphone, not depending on wi-fi connection.
Business model: Free app. It completely free from ads and in-app purchases. Users are allowed to use all app features and content from the start.
#4 Fyuse
They call their images taken ‘fyuses’, to mark 3D images in sort of a special way. This 360 app is full of fun features, and it also is inclined towards social networking. Users create personal profiles, take pictures, share them publicly or privately via messenger services.
For instance, incorporating Fyuse with iMessenger or Facebook Messenger, so it can run inside conversations. You can be a part of community, find and invite friends. Fun stuff like stickers, filters, 3D text overlay is being regularly added.
But let’s not forget about the main feature – 360-degree images. The process is similar to other 360 camera apps, though Fyuse attaches elements of augmented reality (AR) here. Before you start shooting the object or a person, the app will create a guiding arc for direction. See some of the most stunning results as Top fyuses.
Regarding the technical side of Fyuse, the app comes in multiple languages, and requires iOS 8.0 device or newer. It is also compatible with iPads and iPods Touch.
Business model: Free app. App is free and highly recommended for Facebook’s Messenger users, while it allows easy sharing your panoramas with it.
#5 Twister
360-degree selfies? Aren’t you curious about that? With this iPhone app your selfie will not only take a picture of you but capture all your surroundings right where you are. In similar fashion, users also can walk around the places and objects and make a kind of virtual tour. This feature is called 360 spot by the vendor. Lots of other handy little functions for your fun included in this camera 360 for iPhone app.
Firstly, 360-degree panorama creation with a smartphone in high quality. Many editing tools like image rotation, instant effects, zoom ability, sharp coloring, etc. Twister app is tightly packed with features, like video sessions, voice command, photo timer, social sharing.
Business model: Free app.
And one magical option that definitely stands out – auto-rotation of your phone. Just put it on a flat surface and activate, it will rotate itself and it can also take pictures at the same time. Great 360 app for iPhone and iPad owners. One more great free app to use on iPhone and iPad.
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