Yes, Google Earth is free. Google offers Google Earth on the web, on mobile and as Google Earth Pro on desktop, and its help pages say Google Earth Pro is now free. The thing to know is that Google says Earth Pro on desktop won't be available to download from 25 June 2027.
That deadline is the most useful fact on this page. If you rely on the desktop app's extra tools, such as importing GIS data or historical imagery, you've got until then to download it. Here's what each version does and what the change means for you.
The three versions of Google Earth
| Version | Where it runs | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Google Earth on web | In a browser | Browsing the globe, Street View and making maps |
| Google Earth on mobile | Phones and tablets | Making maps, placemarks and notes with a swipe |
| Google Earth Pro on desktop | PC, Mac or Linux | Importing and exporting GIS data and historical imagery |
Google's versions page describes the web version as a way to view high resolution satellite imagery, explore 3D terrain and buildings in hundreds of cities, and dive into Street View. Earth Pro is the version Google says is for users with advanced feature needs.
Is Google Earth Pro free?
Yes. Google's own help page is titled Google Earth Pro for Free and says Google Earth Pro is now free. There's no licence key to enter. You download it from Google's Earth versions page, which currently offers version 7.3.
Google's help pages list the minimum systems it runs on: Windows 7 or higher, Mac OS 10.8 or later, and recent versions of the Ubuntu and Fedora Linux distributions.
What the June 2027 change means
Google's versions page and its Earth Pro update page both say that as of 25 June 2027, Google Earth Pro for desktop will no longer be available for download. Here's how to read that:
- The notice is about downloads. It doesn't say the app on your computer stops working.
- Google's update page offers direct installers for the most recent 7.x versions if you need to update manually.
- Google also says Earth versions 7.1.7 and earlier are no longer supported, so an old install may need updating first.
- The web and mobile versions aren't part of the notice.
If you teach, research or work with map data and use Earth Pro's GIS import or historical imagery, it makes sense to install the current version before the deadline rather than after it.
How to get Google Earth Pro before the deadline
- Open Google's Earth versions page and choose Google Earth Pro on desktop.
- Download the installer for Windows, Mac or Linux.
- Run the installer and open Earth Pro. It's free, so there's nothing to activate.
- If you need a specific build, use the direct installers on Google's Update Google Earth Pro help page.
- Keep the installer file somewhere safe in case you need to reinstall later.
Google Earth Pro system requirements
Google's install help page lists the minimum and recommended setup for Earth Pro on desktop:
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| Disk space | 2 GB | 4 GB |
| Graphics on Windows | DirectX 9 or OpenGL 1.4 | DirectX 11 or OpenGL 2.0 |
| Internet | Needed | High-speed connection |
If you're installing on an older laptop before the 2027 deadline, check the graphics line first, because that's the one older machines most often miss.
Earth Pro on Mac and Linux
Google's help pages list Mac OS 10.8 or later for Earth Pro on a Mac, and recent Ubuntu and Fedora releases for Linux. Google's update page also offers direct installers for Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora and openSUSE, as well as 32-bit and 64-bit Windows, so you can pick the exact build for your machine.
If you look after computers in a classroom or office, download the installer you need now and keep it on a shared drive. That way you're not relying on Google's download page after June 2027.
Which Google Earth should you use?
For looking around, planning a trip or seeing your street in 3D, the web version is enough and there's nothing to install. For GIS data and going back in time with historical imagery, Earth Pro is the one. If you're comparing mapping tools more widely, my roundup of Google Maps alternatives covers other options, and if you run a local business, my guide on adding a business to Google Maps is the more useful next step.
Google's update page also says Earth versions 7.1.7 and earlier are no longer supported. If you've had Earth Pro on a computer for years and it's started misbehaving, installing the latest 7.3 build is the first fix to try.
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My verdict: every version of Google Earth is free, including Earth Pro. If you use Earth Pro's advanced tools, download it before 25 June 2027 and keep the installer, because Google has said it won't be offered for download after that date.
Frequently asked questions
Is Google Earth Pro free?
Yes. Google's help page says Google Earth Pro is now free, and you download it from Google's Earth versions page.
Is Google Earth Pro being discontinued?
Google says Google Earth Pro on desktop will no longer be available for download from 25 June 2027. The notice is about downloads.
What can Google Earth Pro do that the web version can't?
Google says Earth Pro lets you import and export GIS data and go back in time with historical imagery.
Does Google Earth Pro work on Mac and Linux?
Yes. Google lists Earth Pro for PC, Mac and Linux, including recent Ubuntu and Fedora versions.
Is the Google Earth app free on phones?
Yes. Google offers Google Earth on mobile for phones and tablets alongside the web and desktop versions.
How much disk space does Google Earth Pro need?
Google lists 2 GB of free disk space as the minimum and 4 GB as recommended.
Can I still use Google Earth Pro after June 2027?
Google's notice says Earth Pro won't be available for download from 25 June 2027. It doesn't say installed copies stop working.
Is Google Earth on the web free?
Yes. Google offers Google Earth on the web alongside the mobile app and Earth Pro, with satellite imagery, 3D buildings and Street View.
Which version of Google Earth Pro is current?
Google's versions page offers Earth Pro 7.3, and its update page lists direct installers up to version 7.3.7.
