What’s the difference between Google Earth and Google Maps?

Google Earth and Google Maps provide a very similar service to users but they’re both different nonetheless. Maps is best used for navigation, obviously, thanks to its impressively up-to-date information, the speed an accuracy at which it delivers this information, and the numerous features it has to make navigation easier. Earth, on the other hand, is better suited for exploring thanks to its incredibly detailed satellite images and 3D rendering feature. 

Whereas on the desktop you can quickly switch between the informative Maps interface and detailed full-blown satellite Earth view, the experience is a bit choppier when you’re juggling Maps and Earth apps on Android. Google Maps contains all of the navigation, lightweight mapping power and points of interest with just a small hint of satellite imagery, while Google Earth has complete 3D satellite data and just a small subset of information on places, without any point-to-point navigation. In the end there are pretty clear roles for when to use each one — let us explain. When it comes to finding places to go and how to get there, most people should just reach for Google Maps. The amazingly up-to-date information both in terms of maps themselves and points of interest are really top-notch among mapping software, and whether you’re driving, walking, biking or taking public transit Maps really has you covered for turn-by-turn navigation.