Choosing the Best Social Platform for 360° Videos

Deciding which social platform is best for 360° videos depends on whether you're a viewer or a content creator. This article aims to provide insights into viewing and posting 360° videos on various platforms, with a focus on the current and future trends in this technology.

Viewing 360° Videos

For viewers, the choice of platform depends on the specific content and their preferred method of access. Two of the most popular social media platforms for 360° videos are Facebook and YouTube, both known for extensive user bases and support for 360° technologies. Both platforms showcase 360° videos often, making them visible in news feeds and increasing viewer reach.

Facebook: Facebook integrates with virtual reality (VR) devices such as Oculus and Rift, indicating strong support for 360° videos. Currently, 360° videos can be easily viewed on Facebook by simply pointing the phone or tablet in different directions or swiping left or right. While a computer viewer would require using WASD keys or dragging the mouse, this can still be a cumbersome process compared to mobile devices.

YouTube: For those accessing 360° videos on a PC or playing them through a browser, YouTube also supports this format. However, the viewing process is slightly different. Users need to download the YouTube app on their mobile device to enjoy seamless 360° video viewing. Alternatively, users can watch 360° videos on the website by applying the same steps as in a Facebook experience, though the mobile app provides a more convenient solution.

Posting 360° Videos

For creators looking to share their 360° videos, the process is more challenging. Both Facebook and YouTube come with limitations, making the uploading and sharing of these videos a complex task. However, there are third-party platforms designed specifically for 360° content that provide a more accessible and user-friendly experience.

Spinnable, MettaVR, and Vrideo: Innovative platforms such as Spinnable, MettaVR, and Vrideo are emerging as viable alternatives for sharing 360° videos. These platforms cater to the increasing demand for VR content and align more closely with the future shift in this technological landscape. Spinnable is currently available on iOS, while MettaVR is still in the beta stage, and Vrideo supports both Android and iOS. These tools simplify the process of creating and sharing 360° content, making them appealing to both novice and advanced creators.

While these platforms do not yet have the same mass audience as social media giants, their effectiveness in sharing and viewing 360° content is becoming more evident. As 360° video technology continues to advance, it is likely that these platforms will gain more traction, attracting a wider audience and becoming more competitive in the market.

Hope this helps in your decision-making process regarding the best platform for viewing and posting 360° videos. Stay tuned for further updates as the landscape continues to evolve.