Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Google Earth Pro VS Azure Maps

Compare Google Earth Pro VS Azure Maps and see what are their differences

Google Earth Pro logo Google Earth Pro

Google Earth Pro allows you fly anywhere around the earth to view satellite imagery, maps, 3D building, and terrain, from galaxies in outer space to the canyons of the ocean.

Azure Maps logo Azure Maps

Add maps, search, routing, and traffic capabilities to your apps with Microsoft Azure Maps--geospatial services APIs that pair with IoT and Enterprise systems.
  • Google Earth Pro Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-14
  • Azure Maps Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-13

Google Earth Pro features and specs

  • High-Resolution Imagery
    Google Earth Pro offers high-resolution satellite imagery, allowing users to view detailed maps and landscapes from around the world.
  • Historical Imagery
    Users can access historical satellite images, which can be useful for analyzing changes over time in specific locations.
  • GIS Data Import
    Supports the import of Geographic Information System (GIS) data, enabling users to overlay their own data on the map.
  • Measurement Tools
    Provides advanced measurement tools such as polygon area measurement and distance measurement, useful for land surveying and planning.
  • Free of Charge
    Despite its advanced features, Google Earth Pro is available for free, making it accessible to a wide range of users.

Possible disadvantages of Google Earth Pro

  • Data Privacy Concerns
    The use of Google services often involves data collection, which can lead to privacy concerns for some users.
  • System Requirements
    Requires a relatively powerful computer to run smoothly, including significant RAM and a robust graphics processor.
  • Limited Real-Time Data
    Although highly detailed, the satellite imagery is not real-time and may be outdated by several months to a few years.
  • Steep Learning Curve
    The software can be complex for beginners, requiring time to learn how to use all its features effectively.
  • Internet Dependency
    A reliable internet connection is needed to access and stream the high-resolution images and data.

Azure Maps features and specs

  • Integration with Microsoft Ecosystem
    Azure Maps integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft services like Azure IoT, Power BI, and Dynamics 365, providing a cohesive environment for developers using the Microsoft ecosystem.
  • Global Coverage
    Azure Maps offers global geographic coverage, ensuring that users can access mapping data from virtually anywhere in the world.
  • High Scalability
    Built on the Microsoft Azure cloud platform, Azure Maps can easily scale to accommodate large volumes of requests, making it suitable for enterprises with high demands.
  • Rich API and SDK Support
    Azure Maps offers a comprehensive set of APIs and SDKs, providing developers with advanced capabilities for geolocation, routing, and data visualization.
  • Security Features
    Azure Maps benefits from Microsoft's robust security features, including data encryption, compliance certifications, and secure access controls.

Possible disadvantages of Azure Maps

  • Cost Considerations
    Azure Maps may have higher costs compared to other mapping services, especially for businesses with extensive usage requirements.
  • Complexity for Beginners
    For users new to Microsoft's cloud services, the wide array of features and integration options in Azure Maps can be overwhelming and complex to implement effectively.
  • Limited Offline Support
    Azure Maps primarily relies on an online connection, and its offline capabilities are limited, which may be a downside for applications requiring offline access.
  • Dependence on Microsoft's Ecosystem
    While integration with Microsoft services is a pro for some, it can also be a con for businesses that do not use or wish to commit to the Microsoft ecosystem, as this may limit interoperability with non-Microsoft products.
  • Availability in Some Regions
    Although Azure Maps has global coverage, certain advanced features or data sets may not be available in all regions, which could be a limitation for some users.

Analysis of Google Earth Pro

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Google Earth Pro is considered a good tool for both professional and personal use. It provides extensive features for free that were once only available in expensive specialized software, making it accessible to a wide range of users.

Why this product is good

  • Google Earth Pro is a powerful geographic information software tool that offers high-resolution satellite imagery, 3D terrain visualization, and various layers including roads, borders, and places of interest. It also supports advanced features like GIS data import, high-resolution printing, and area measurements. This makes it an invaluable tool for professionals in fields such as urban planning, environmental science, real estate, and education.

Recommended for

  • Urban planners and architects looking to visualize potential development sites.
  • Educators seeking a dynamic tool to teach geography and earth sciences.
  • Researchers conducting environmental and geographical analysis.
  • Travel enthusiasts who want to explore geographical locations from a virtual perspective.
  • Real estate professionals who need to analyze property locations and surroundings.

Google Earth Pro videos

Using Google Earth Pro

More videos:

  • Demo - Google Earth Pro Demo
  • Review - Google Earth Pro Review!

Azure Maps videos

Introducing Azure Maps Creator

More videos:

  • Review - Indoor Maps with Azure Maps

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Google Earth Pro and Azure Maps)
Maps
90 90%
10% 10
Web Mapping
93 93%
7% 7
Mapping And GIS
93 93%
7% 7
Travel & Location
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Google Earth Pro and Azure Maps

Google Earth Pro Reviews

We have no reviews of Google Earth Pro yet.
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Azure Maps Reviews

Farewell, Google Maps
On the first glance, it seems that almost all providers would provide satisfactory experience as far as centre of Warsaw is concerned. One exception might be Azure Maps, which was made available just in the previous months. To be fair, Microsoft claims that perceived emptiness of its maps is intentional and for the benefit of its large corporate partners, who like to overlay...

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Azure Maps should be more popular than Google Earth Pro. It has been mentiond 3 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Google Earth Pro mentions (1)

  • Several macOS Monterey Features Unavailable on Intel-Based Macs
    Meanwhile, I can load up google.com/earth/ just fine. Source: almost 4 years ago

Azure Maps mentions (3)

  • Understanding Mapbox API Integration: A Deep Dive
    Azure Maps: Microsoft's enterprise mapping solution featuring strong integration with Azure services, robust geospatial analytics, competitive compliance certifications, and specialized capabilities for IoT applications. - Source: dev.to / about 1 month ago
  • Do I get wet feeds? Draw a flood map using Azure Maps Elevation API
    To start, we need to know which areas of land are almost below sea level so that we can plan and take additional actions. To make this visible we can use Azure Maps and use the Azure Maps Elevation Service to make a basic flood map. The Azure Maps Elevation Service provides pole-to-pole coverage with <4M absolute and <2m relative accuracy. The elevation data represents a digital terrain model (DTM), man-made... - Source: dev.to / almost 4 years ago
  • Create your own indoor maps using Azure Maps Creator
    By using the same technology for mapping outdoors we can use Azure Maps also for indoor mapping solutions. Azure Maps is a collection of geospatial services APIs and SDKs that use fresh mapping data to provide geographic context to web and mobile applications. Azure Maps Creator is the service that facilitates the creation of indoor maps using your own building drawings. Azure Maps has SDKs for Web, Android, and... - Source: dev.to / almost 4 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Google Earth Pro and Azure Maps, you can also consider the following products

OSGeo - QGIS is a desktop geographic information system, or GIS.

Maptitude - Maptitude is a mapping software that is fitted with GIS features that avail maps and other forms of data regarding the surrounding geographical areas. Read more about Maptitude.

Google Maps - Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

Esri ArcGIS - ArcGIS provides contextual tools for mapping and spatial reasoning so you can explore data & share location-based insights. ArcGIS is the heart of the Esri Geospatial Cloud. Try ArcGIS for free with 21-day trial.

Mapbox - An open source mapping platform for custom designed maps. Our APIs and SDKs are the building blocks to integrate location into any mobile or web app.

ArcGIS Pro - Explore ArcGIS Pro resources such as tutorials, videos, documentation, instructor-led classes & more. Find answers, build expertise and connect with the ArcGIS Pro community.