About
MyTracks, built on Google Earth technology, is a comprehensive geospatial exploration and mapping platform available across web, mobile, and desktop. On the web via Chrome, users can fly anywhere in seconds, explore hundreds of 3D cities, and discover new places using the randomized discovery feature or Voyager guided tours. The platform also supports creating and sharing custom maps and stories directly in the browser. On mobile (iOS and Android), Google Earth enables globe browsing with intuitive swipe gestures, putting the entire planet at your fingertips. For power users and professionals, Google Earth Pro on desktop — free for all users — offers advanced capabilities including GIS data import and export, historical satellite imagery, and enhanced printing and measurement tools. Desktop support covers Windows (PC), macOS (Mac), and Linux. The platform is ideal for educators, researchers, travel enthusiasts, urban planners, and GIS professionals who need reliable, high-resolution geospatial data and visualization. Whether you're exploring a remote rainforest, studying land-use changes over decades with historical imagery, or building rich interactive maps for presentations, MyTracks/Google Earth provides a robust and accessible solution entirely for free.
Key Features
- 3D City & Globe Exploration: Fly to any location on Earth in seconds and explore hundreds of photorealistic 3D cities directly in your browser or mobile device.
- Voyager Guided Tours: Follow curated, story-driven tours narrated by experts across geography, culture, nature, and history.
- Custom Map & Story Creation: Create personalized maps and multimedia stories to share with others, available on the web and desktop versions.
- GIS Data Import & Export (Pro): Google Earth Pro on desktop allows professionals to import and export GIS data formats for advanced geospatial analysis.
- Historical Imagery: Go back in time with historical satellite imagery to observe how landscapes, cities, and environments have changed over decades.
Use Cases
- Educators using 3D globe exploration and Voyager tours to teach geography, history, and environmental science in the classroom.
- GIS professionals and urban planners importing and exporting spatial data via Google Earth Pro for land-use analysis and city planning.
- Researchers and journalists analyzing historical satellite imagery to document environmental change, deforestation, or urban expansion over time.
- Travel enthusiasts and content creators virtually exploring destinations, building custom itinerary maps, and sharing stories before or after trips.
- Developers and data analysts integrating Google Earth's geospatial data into applications or presentations requiring high-quality satellite imagery.
Pros
- Completely Free: Both the standard and Pro versions are available at no cost, making powerful geospatial tools accessible to everyone.
- Cross-Platform Availability: Works seamlessly across web browsers, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux — ensuring broad accessibility.
- Professional GIS Capabilities: The desktop Pro version supports GIS data import/export and historical imagery, meeting the needs of researchers and professionals.
Cons
- Limited Browser Support: The full web experience is optimized for Chrome and may not be fully available on other browsers.
- No Real-Time Data Tracking: The platform focuses on exploration and mapping rather than live GPS track recording or real-time location sharing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is MyTracks / Google Earth free to use?
Yes, both the standard Google Earth (web and mobile) and Google Earth Pro (desktop) are completely free for all users.
What platforms does MyTracks support?
MyTracks supports web browsers (Chrome), iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux desktop environments.
What is Google Earth Pro and how is it different?
Google Earth Pro is the desktop version designed for advanced users. It includes GIS data import/export, historical imagery browsing, higher-resolution printing, and measurement tools not available in the standard version.
Can I create and share my own maps?
Yes. The web version allows you to create custom maps and stories that can be shared with others.
What is Voyager in Google Earth?
Voyager is a curated collection of guided tours and stories created by Google and its partners, covering topics like nature, geography, culture, and history.
