Google Earth Pro supports Windows 7 or later and a Pentium 4 2.4GHz processor (or AMD 2400xp) as a minimum, along with just 1GB of RAM for the software to run smoothly. Image Source: YouTube

Google Earth Pro is a more feature-packed version of the commonly known 3D Earth mapping software. Leading downloaders include institutions that intend to use it for non-recreational purposes, such as businesses, governments, or science-related professionals.

Earth Pro is a very powerful tool for tasks that include data visualization, site planning, and information sharing. The software initially had an annual subscription fee of $399, but beginning in mid-2015, it is now completely free for all kinds of users.

The current free version of Google Earth Pro still includes all of the perks that made it a professional choice in the first place and runs on both Windows and OSX. The user interface is the same as the regular version, keeping its ease-of-use and efficiency.

Earth Pro contains many interesting mapping gadgets, including a Movie Maker

Extras found on the business-oriented version include advanced measurement tools such as polygon area measure, which allows users to get the area size of oddly-shaped spots on the map. The same goes for the circular test tool, used to size up round spaces.

High-resolution download and printing are another one of its most-used features. Earth Pro allows users to get images of up to 4,800 x 3,200 pixels in size, perfect for wallpapers or presentations.

The software also includes data sharing tools for functions like traffic count and demographics along with spreadsheet integration, which allows users to input data in bulk and upload up to 2,500 addresses at a time into the software.

Earth Pro is also capable of recording videos and exporting them to Windows Media and Mac-related players, with a top resolution of 1920p x 1080p.

A little history behind Google Earth Pro

A company called Keyhole, Inc was the first to develop a beta version of what would eventually come to be Google Earth in 2001, and Google acquired them in 2004, updating its software and releasing to the public with its current name in 2005.

This first version contained three licenses, and one of them was Google Earth Pro.

What do I need and how do I download Google Earth Pro?

The official website states that Google Earth Pro is compatible with Windows (XP, Vista, 7) and Mac (OSX 10.6.0 or later) computers, the software might look bulky for some users but asks for recommended requirements met by most current personal computers.

Google supports Windows 7 or later and a Pentium 4 2.4GHz processor (or AMD 2400xp) as a minimum, along with just 1GB of RAM for the software to run smoothly. Mac users should have roughly the same specs, all of them slightly improved to enjoy all of Pro’s extra features.

Source: Google Earth Pro