Google Earth
Google's 3D virtual globe with satellite imagery, on web, mobile and desktop.
Updated · AppBreakup editorial · Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux
Is Google Earth free?
Free plan, plus paid plans
Switch from Google Earth to
All 6
Apple MapsFree
Google MapsFree
OsmAndStarting price: $5.99 a month or $39.99 a year (OsmAnd Pro)
- Verified facts
- 4 of 4
- Alternatives ranked
- 6
- Approved reviews
- 0
- Visits sent from here
- 0
About Google Earth
Google Earth is a virtual globe that lets you fly over satellite and aerial imagery, explore 3D terrain and buildings in hundreds of cities, and drop into Street View. It runs in the browser and on Android and iOS, where it is free for browsing, placemarks and simple map projects. Google now also sells per-user Standard and Professional plans aimed at planners, architects and other professionals, adding data layers, AI tools and more storage. Google Earth Pro, the long-running desktop app for Windows, macOS and Linux, adds GIS import and export and historical imagery, but Google says it will stop being available for download from 25 June 2027. Google Earth is unmatched for imagery coverage and ease of use, but it is a closed Google service and the free tier is light on analysis. It suits students, travellers, teachers and professionals who want quick visual context for any place on Earth.
Best for: Anyone wanting to explore places in 3D, plus pros who need imagery and data layers.
Google Earth pricing (checked Nov 8, 2026)
Each line is quoted from Google Earth's own site, with the page it came from.
| Plan or term | What it says | Checked | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paid plans | Standard and Professional, per user | Nov 8, 2026 | google.com |
Pros and cons
What works
- Global satellite imagery with 3D buildings in hundreds of cities
- Street View built in
- Free to use in the browser and on mobile
- Historical imagery in the desktop Pro app
Why people leave
- Google Earth Pro desktop downloads end on 25 June 2027
- Data layers and larger projects need a paid per-user plan
- Closed service; imagery can't be used offline in the web app
Google Earth vs Apple Maps, Google Maps and OsmAnd
From each app's listing and the prices verified on its own site. A dash means we haven't verified it yet.
| Attribute | Google Earth | Apple Maps | Google Maps | OsmAnd |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free plan + paid | Free | Free | Free plan + paid |
| Verified price | — | — | — | $5.99 a month or $39.99 a year (OsmAnd Pro) |
| Free plan | Yes | Free app | Free app | Yes |
| Open source | No | No | No | Yes |
| Self-hostable | No | No | No | No |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux | iOS, macOS, Web | Web, Android, iOS | Android, iOS, Web |
Top Google Earth alternatives
See all 6- 1Apple Maps79.8
Offers 3D Flyover city views and satellite imagery on Apple devices and the web.
- 2Google Maps68.8
Has the same satellite imagery, 3D view and Street View, plus directions, for everyday use.
- 3OsmAnd58.1
Open map data with offline maps and 3D terrain, for people who want maps without a Google account.
- 4
QGIS50.0Free, open-source GIS that opens your Google Earth KML files and adds real editing, measurement and spatial analysis.
- 5
Felt49.0Draw, annotate and share maps by link in the browser, a simpler way to build the map stories people make in Google Earth projects.
Why people left Google Earth
In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.
No switching stories yet. If you moved away from Google Earth, review the app you switched to and tell us why.
Reviews
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Google Earth: common questions
What is Google Earth?
Google Earth: Google's 3D virtual globe with satellite imagery, on web, mobile and desktop. Best for anyone wanting to explore places in 3D, plus pros who need imagery and data layers. Available for Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS and Linux.
Is Google Earth free?
Google Earth has a free plan and paid plans.
How much does Google Earth cost?
Google Earth is free with paid plans. Paid plans: Standard and Professional, per user. Checked on Google Earth's own site, November 2026.
Is Google Earth open source?
No, Google Earth is not open source. Open-source alternatives include OsmAnd and QGIS.
What platforms does Google Earth run on?
Google Earth is available for Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS and Linux.
What are the best alternatives to Google Earth?
The highest-ranked Google Earth alternatives right now are Apple Maps, Google Maps and OsmAnd. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.
Google Earth vs Apple Maps: what's the difference?
Google Earth is free with paid plans; Apple Maps is free to use. Only Google Earth runs on Android, Windows and Linux.