Comparison

Portyl vs Viamo

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Portyl

Experience historical sites with advanced XR and 3D graphics, recreating ancient locations with stunning detail. Walk through reconstructed pasts, see citizens and spectacles, and learn from expert-consulted venues. Explore from anywhere or on-site for an immersive journey through time.

Highlights
  • High-resolution 3D XR recreations
  • Animated creatures and characters
  • 29+ supported languages
  • Full audio with narration
  • Integrated map with navigation
  • On-site and remote exploration
Features
Read full description

The Portyl app uses state of the art Extended Reality (XR) combined with incredible 3D graphics to recreate historical sites the way they looked thousands of years ago. • Important: Please visit the Compatibility page at Histoury.com for information on Portyl requirements. The magic of Portyl is how precise it places the reconstructed sites over the top of the current ruins enabling tourists to walk around and experience history through their phone/tablet screen. In Rome, for instance, you not only see the reconstructions, but also the citizens, soldiers, war elephants, chariots – the daily life and spectacle that was ancient Rome. For historical accuracy, all portal venues are created under the consultation of prominent Roman Historians and Archeologists. PORTYL FEATURES: • Advanced XR high-resolution 3D recreations • Fully animated creatures and characters • 29 languages currently supported (more languages every month!) • Full Audio support including sound effects and spoken narration • Integrated Map with navigation HOW TO USE PORTYL: • Getting started with Portyl is easy! • After installing the app, tap any location thumbnail and choose a TOUR PASS. Some experiences, such as Largo Argentina, can even be explored for free when you’re off-site. • Before heading out, download the venues you want to explore from the TOURS page. We recommend using Wi-Fi whenever possible. • Use the map to find your way to a Portyl location. Not on-site? No problem - you can still explore the XR recreation from your home, office or hotel. • When you arrive at a supported venue, Portyl will let you know that a Live Experience is available. The location will appear as a large thumbnail on the Live Tours page. • Tap the thumbnail and follow the on-screen instructions. Simply point your device toward the site from wherever you are standing. Portyl’s KAIROS ENGINE will identify your location and the direction you’re facing, usually within just a few seconds. • If KAIROS needs another view, Portyl will simply ask you to point your device in a different direction. • Then you’re ready to STEP INTO THE PAST! MINIMUM HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS: Portyl is a geo-located real-time rendered 3d environment. It requires a lot of horsepower! In general the higher-end device you have, the better experience, certainly something less than 5 years old, and a higher-end model. RECOMMENDED: iPhone 13 or newer with at least 4-6 GB RAM PERMISSIONS REQUIRED: • Location: Portyl requires access to your device's location to place you in the virtual world as well as for map navigation. • Microphone: Portyl needs to "hear" your questions for some AI features. • Camera: Portyl needs to "see" where you are in the real world to launch XR scenes and place you in the virtual world.- Data Services: Not a permission, but a requirement for use. WiFi or 5G PERMISSIONS REQUESTED: • Notifications: For instance, notifications when a user comes within 50 km of an available site or when a venue has finished downloading. Occasional app updates, etc. No spamming and incessant notifications. Photos and Videos: As we add features like the Portyl Selfie feature (coming soon), screenshot sharing, etc.

About

Viamo

This app provides audio guides for supported tours, allowing you to listen through your phone and headphones while exploring. It connects travelers to Viamo Wi-Fi audio systems for an enhanced experience. Users can also view tour history, browse guide profiles, and manage their personal information.

Highlights
  • Listen to guided tours on your phone
  • Connects to Viamo Wi-Fi audio systems
  • View tour history
  • Browse guide profiles
  • Manage guest profile
  • Access dedicated guide workspace
Features
Read full description

Listen to your guide on your phone while you explore. Viamo connects travelers to supported guided tours using the tour’s Viamo Wi-Fi audio system. Join a compatible Viamo tour and listen through your phone and headphones. View your tour history, browse available guide profiles and local recommendations, and manage your guest profile. Registered guides can sign in to a dedicated workspace to access their assigned tours, supported tour controls and profile tools. Live listening requires an active compatible Viamo tour and connection to its local Viamo audio system. Available content and tools depend on the tour and your account access.

Screenshots

Portyl4 screens
Viamo3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Viamo at 5.0 against Portyl's 4.4. Viamo also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 6). Portyl's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (11 vs 1). On price, update cadence, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Portyl sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. Viamo asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Viamo holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Portyl has 11 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Portyl ships an update weekly, Viamo every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 30, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Portyl versus Viamo: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPortylViamo
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (11 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings11 — better1
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size411 MB57 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHistouryBrent Burton

Customer experience

Portyl

All ratings11 ratings
Positive81.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative18.2%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

Viamo

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

6 purchases

Portyl

One-time6
  • Espresso Tour$4.00
  • Herculaneum Pass$4.00
  • Pompeii Pass$14.00
Show 3 more
  • Rome Pass$18.00
  • Paestum Pass$18.00
  • Tivoli Pass$18.00
None

Viamo

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Portyl free?
Portyl is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Viamo free?
Viamo is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Portyl or Viamo?
Viamo is rated higher. Portyl averages 4.4 out of 5 from 11 ratings, while Viamo averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Portyl or Viamo have ads?
Viamo shows ads; Portyl does not.
Which is updated more often, Portyl or Viamo?
Portyl ships an update weekly, and Viamo every 2 weeks. Most recently, Portyl was updated on October 30, 2026 and Viamo on October 30, 2026.

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