Download Google Earth FREE!
Click the above banner to download Google Earth.
Google Earth comes with the Google Pack and is a free download.
The download is safe as it comes directly from Google.
Google Earth is a program developed by Google. It uses satellite images allow you to see the entire world, from the country level down to the city level...right from your computer desk!
Google Earth Features
Google Earth full of features. Here are the basics:
Fly To - "Fly To" is basically a search box. You enter an address and Google flies you to that location while you watch the world turn and you zoom in closer and closer until you hit your destination.
Directional Controls
These are how you control what direction you fly. You have full control of this. You can zoom in, tilt your view from over head to horizonally driving across terrain. You can fly backward, or choose a compass direction.
Searches
Google Earth comes with a Local Search and a Business Search feature. Both have boxes where you can enter either an address or a more general search like "Indian restaurant in Wayne, NJ" to find anything you are looking for anywhere on earth. When you double-click on a business, you will get further information about that business like address and telephone number, or get driving directions.
Saving Your Locations
You have many options for what to do with your locations and searches once you've made them. You can create a placemark at a location for the future, you can print the entire page, you can email a map, driving directions or a placemarked location to a family member or friend.
Social Networking
When you join the ranks of Google Earth users you are not alone. In fact you are part of an enormous community of hundreds of thousands of people who use Google Earth. And you can communicate with them, find out news about the latest advances, new releases, all kinds of things. There is an official Google Community which you can become a member of by clicking this link. There is also the official Google Earth blog you can read and participate in, post comments, etc.
Which Google Earth Should I Get?
That's a good question. Here are your choices, along with the differences between them, so you can decide. The first thing you'll want to do in any case is to download the free version, to see how it works. Then you can decide from there if you want or need the enhanced features of the not-free versions.
Google Earth - This is the free version. It has all the features of fly to, searches, printing, saving, emailing, placemarks mentioned above. Support only via website. Limit of 1000 px per printed or saved image.
Google Earth Plus - $20 subscription-based annual fee. Enhanced performance, limit of 1400 px per printed image and 1000 px per saved image. Can be used with GPS device, optional business ad feature, support via website and email.
Google Earth Pro - $400 subscription-based annual fee. For professional use. Fastest performance of all three versions. Limit of 4800 px per printed image and 4800 px per saved image. Can be used with GPS device, optional business ad feature, support via email, website or chat. Modules for data importing, movie making and premium printing. Optional GDT traffic counts data.