Google Earth

A globe you can inspect from the sofa

Google Earth turns the planet into an explorable 3D map. Search for a city, coastline, mountain range or street, then move from a satellite view into terrain, buildings and ground-level imagery where available. It suits travellers planning a visit, students trying to understand geography, and anyone who prefers browsing places visually rather than reading about them first.

Strong at scale, useful at street level

The app’s best quality is the way its views connect. A broad look at a region can lead into a detailed urban scene, while Street View adds a more familiar perspective for checking landmarks and neighbourhoods. Curated Voyager content gives the exploration a guided side, with tours and stories that work well for learning rather than simple map searching.

Navigation is built around touch: zooming, tilting and rotating make the globe easy to examine, and the uncluttered presentation keeps the imagery in focus. That simplicity also means the deeper mapping and storytelling tools can feel tight on a phone screen. Detailed 3D scenes may also push less capable devices, especially when the connection or hardware is under strain.

What the numbers say

• Developer: Google LLC
• Category: Travel & Local
• Installs: 500,000,000+
• Rating: 3.79/5 from 2,972,147 ratings

Verdict

Google Earth is more compelling as a visual atlas than as a replacement for a practical navigation app. Its combination of satellite imagery, 3D terrain, buildings, Street View and guided exploration gives it a wide range, though performance and small-screen space can limit the experience. For curiosity, preparation and teaching, it remains a substantial tool. Score: 8.2/10.