Comparison

Google Earth vs Prospector

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Google Earth

Explore the world with high-resolution satellite imagery and 3D terrain. Dive into streets with Street View and create collaborative, data-driven maps from anywhere.

Highlights
  • High-resolution satellite imagery
  • 3D terrain and building exploration
  • Street View 360° perspectives
  • Create and collaborate on maps
  • Data-driven mapping
Currently charting
Read full description

Create and collaborate on immersive, data-driven maps from anywhere, with the new Google Earth. See the world from above with high-resolution satellite imagery, explore 3D terrain and buildings in hundreds of cities, and dive in to streets and neighborhoods with Street View's 360° perspectives.

About

Prospector

Features
Read full description

Prospector Trip Journal App Version 4.5 Perfect for Prospecting and Metal Detecting Enthusiasts Key Features: 1. Visual Journal: Effortlessly capture and document your prospecting and metal detecting adventures in a beautifully designed journal. Relive each trip and treasure the memories of your discoveries. 2. Photo Integration: Easily add photos from your day to journal entries, showcasing your finds, scenic locations, and key moments of the journey. 3. Location Mapping: Attach location maps to each entry, pinpointing where you found hidden treasures or struck gold, so you can revisit or learn from your adventures. 4. Text & Summaries: Write detailed descriptions of your experiences and findings. Summarize your trips with key insights, making it easy to remember your favorite moments. 5. Equipment Log: Keep track of the gear and tools used on each trip. Monitor which equipment helped you succeed and enhance future expeditions. 6. Privacy Assured: Your trip data and locations are stored privately on your device, adhering to Apple’s robust privacy standards, ensuring your adventures remain secure and personal. Why Choose Prospector Trip Journal App: • Seamless Documentation: Forget the hassle of physical journals—your iPhone becomes your perfect travel companion, making it easy to record your adventures on the go. • Visual Storytelling: Turn your expeditions into a visual narrative, capturing both the thrill of the hunt and the beauty of the journey. • Memory Enhancement: Detailed journal entries, combined with visual memories, help you reflect on past trips and improve future outings. • Location Recall: Easily reference past locations, guiding future prospecting trips and helping you maximize success. • Privacy-First Approach: Your data remains secure and private on your device, aligned with Apple’s rigorous privacy policies. Prospector Trip Journal App is your essential tool for documenting prospecting and metal detecting adventures. Experience the thrill of exploration, capture every moment, and turn your expeditions into lasting memories. Download now and make every trip unforgettable!

Screenshots

Google Earth4 screens
Prospector4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Google Earth at Free against Prospector's $1.99. Google Earth also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 months) and chart position (#15 vs unranked). Prospector's advantage is iOS requirement (14.0 vs 17.0). On ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Google Earth is free to download; Prospector costs $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Google Earth ships an update fortnightly, Prospector every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Google Earth versus Prospector: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGoogle EarthProspector
PriceFree — better$1.99
Rating4.0 (47K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews46.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings47K — better—
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 5 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
Best chart rank#15 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS17.014.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size158 MB17 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGoogleN Howe

Bugs and requests

Google Earth

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Crashes and freezes on mobile devices
  • Inconsistent performance and quality across platforms
  • Issues with loading and displaying street view

Requested features

5 requests
  • Update satellite and street view imagery more frequently
  • Improve search and navigation functionality
  • Add more 3D coverage for cities and landmarks
  • Introduce a night mode or time-of-day feature
  • Allow users to report outdated or missing information

Prospector

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Google Earth

No in-app purchases

None

Prospector

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Google Earth free?
Google Earth is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Prospector free?
Prospector costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Google Earth or Prospector have ads?
Neither Google Earth nor Prospector shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Google Earth or Prospector?
Google Earth ships an update fortnightly, and Prospector every 5 months. Most recently, Google Earth was updated on October 17, 2026 and Prospector on October 9, 2026.

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