The Biggest Differences Between Google Maps And Google Earth

Google Maps and Google Earth are two completely separate pieces of web applications but they’re made with more or less similar purpose in mind, to explore the globe. While Google Earth can take you on a virtual tour of different beautiful places on the earth, Google Maps, on the other hand, is designed to cater more practical needs of the users. Read this article and know more on Google Maps vs Google Earth.

you'll be surprised to know that Google Earth came into existence four years before Google Maps. In fact, both Maps and Earth aren’t even made by Google from scratch, although, Google owns them.
In 2005, Google acquired a company named Where 2 Technologies and turned their desktop-based map product in the making into a web application we now know as Maps. While Google Earth was originally called Earth Viewer 3D, created by a CIA-funded company called Keyhole, Inc. which was acquired by Google in 2004.

Google Maps Vs Google Earth

1. Google Maps is more local

As you might already be knowing, Google Maps is quite famous for its features like turn-by-turn navigation, real-time traffic information, transit system schedules, etc. Based on your location, Google Maps can show you nearby restaurants, attractions, petrol stations, etc.

2. Share your location in Google Maps

A recent update to Google Maps allows users to continuously share their location using their smartphone. This means a friend of yours would be able to track your movements in the Google Maps application.

3. Google Maps tracks location history

Google tracks location history of the users which is used to power a feature called Timeline. It gives a detailed insight into the daily activities and places visited. For instance, walking, driving, visiting a market, etc.

google Maps even allows you to explore other bodies in our solar system. Currently, the list includes Moon and Mars. The imagery is not as detailed, but it does give a rough idea about the surface and the names of the location known to the humankind.

5. Google Earth is made for explorers

Basically, Google Earth can be assumed as a subset of Google Maps intended towards experience rather than being a utility. Google recently released Earth’s v9 which was in development for the last two years. A new addition to Earth is Knowledge Cards for places you land on the virtual globe. Clicking a card opens a dedicated page describing more details.

A great emphasis has been given to the 3D content. There is no noticeable difference between the 3D satellite imagery on Google Maps and Google Earth. However, if you zoom in, Earth doesn’t provide many details about places and streets. Obviously, it isn’t made for that purpose. But you can get a detailed view of the area by selecting the Map Style Everything.