When it comes to VR and 360º content, Google is one of the biggest names in the industry. With its Google Expeditions and Google Tour Creator tools, anyone can visit thousands of locations around the world virtually or even create their own virtual tour to share. 

For educators looking for ways to bring immersive technology into their classrooms, these Google tools are a great entry point, are affordable, and can provide access to a large volume of content.

If you are looking for the next level in immersive technology, then the VRTY application is a great option for your education needs. Our platform is focused on the creation, which allows for greater flexibility in aligning the content to curriculum or specific learning outcomes. 

Here is a list of the key differences between Google Tour Creator, Google Expeditions and the VRTY application.

 

VRTY

Google Tour Creator

Google Expedition

Application TypeWeb-basedWeb-basedApp-based
What is it?VRTY is a creating tool that helps students and teachers to create, view and share their own curriculum-aligned VR and interactive 360° projects.Google Tour Creator is a creating tool, allowing anyone to create their own VR tour using imagery from Google’s Street View or their own 360º photos.Google Expeditions is an immersive education app that allows teachers and students to explore the world through virtual-reality tours.
Uploadable Formats
  • 360° images or photos
  • 360° video
  • 360° photos
  • Choose from provided tours
Markers Icons (Hotspots)
  • Upload your own
  • Create your own
  • Choose from VRTY library icons
  • Accepted formats:
    • Images (JPG & PNG) 
    • Animated GIFs
  • Default marker icons provided
  • N/A

Marker Content Formats

  • Images (JPG & PNG)
  • Animated GIFs
  • Video 
  • Audio 
  • Text-to-speech audio
  • Rich text
  • Image overlays
  • Audio
  • Text
  • N/A
Marker Features
  • Text-to-speech audio
  • Markers can move
  • Parent/child markers
  • Timeline markers (can appear or disappear based on time)
  • Invisible markers
  • Information 
  • Images
  • N/A
Media Library
  • Individual library
  • School shared library
  • VRTY library (scenes, content, marker icons, GIFs, museum content, other schools shared content)
  • A template library to begin creating
  • Google Street View
  • Own library
  • VR library (900 expeditions)
  • AR library (100 expeditions)
Clone project
  • Can clone own project
  • Can copy projects of others into own
  • N/A
Analytics
  • Overview of project analytics
  • Single or group viewer analytics
  • Number of views of the project
  • Number of views of each scene
  • Number of triggers of each marker
  • Time spent within a scene
  • N/A
  • N/A
Quiz Capability
  • Yes
  • N/A
  • N/A
LMS Compatibility
  • Yes
  • N/A
  • N/A
Project Sharing
  • Public link
  • Password controlled link
  • QR Code
  • Embed into a website
  • VRTY Streamer Box (local server)
  • Link
  • Download to app
Device Compatibility
  • Mobile
  • Tablet
  • Desktop/ Laptop
  • Cardboard
  • Mobile VR Headsets
  • Mobile
  • Tablet
  • Desktop / Laptop
  • Google Cardboard
  • Mobile
  • Google cardboard
  • Daydream viewer
VR Mode (Viewing)
  • Gaze-to-trigger any markers
  • VRTY Digital Focusing Tool to help adjust FOV and IPD (Australian Innovation Patented)
  • VRTY CoLab where:
    • Teachers and students can be in the same VR project at the same time.
    • Teachers can guide the student to the point of interest.
    • Teachers can annotate (draw) on the screen while teaching. 
    • Available in beta.
  • Tap on the screen to trigger marker (does not suit a lot of other cardboard goggles).
  • Students can view the same project at the same time.
  • Tap on the screen to trigger marker (does not suit a lot of other cardboard goggles).
  • Teachers and students can view in the same “room” to view the same project at the same time.
  • Teachers can also annotate (draw) on the screen while teaching.