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EarthDesk

xericdesign.com

From $1.25/mo Free trial WindowsmacOSiOS
Visit xericdesign.com
Spec score 8.9 #4 of 34 in Desktop Wallpaper Software

What it is

EarthDesk turns a computer desktop into an updating view of Earth from space, with near-real-time clouds, sun and moon depictions, and city lighting. It offers 12 map projections, including Mercator, Azimuthal, Equirectangular, and a globe with optional starfield. Maps can be centered using latitude and longitude, relative to the sun or moon, or on one of 10,000 locations; a data subscription adds other centering choices. On multiple displays, it can show a different map on each screen or span one map across them. Standard cloud imagery is global, 2-megapixel, and refreshed every six hours. The data subscription adds geo-located, parallax-corrected imagery from 23 satellites at 32-megapixel detail, refreshed every three hours, plus earthquake, tropical storm, and International Space Station information. The maker offers a free Mac or Windows trial before purchase. A single-user license starts at 24.99 USD once and covers two Mac or Windows computers. An upgrade costs 12.99 USD once and requires a previous license key; the data subscription costs $14.99 a year. Minimums are macOS 10.14, Windows 7, or tvOS 13.2.

Spec sheet

What it does
EarthDesk replaces a Mac or Windows desktop with a continuously updating rendered view of Earth from space.Read 15 Oct 2026 · xericdesign.com
Purpose
EarthDesk turns the desktop into a continuously updating image of Earth from space.Read 9 Oct 2026 · xericdesign.com
Trial
The maker says users can try the Mac or Windows software for free before purchasing a license to fully unlock it.Read 9 Oct 2026 · xericdesign.com
Privacy
Apple lists the developer's stated privacy practice as collecting no data from the Mac app.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Support
The maker directs users to review the product support page and offers a contact form for help.Read 9 Oct 2026 · xericdesign.com
Headquarters
Xeric Design is based in Incline Village, Nevada, on Lake Tahoe's north shore.Read 15 Oct 2026 · xericdesign.com
Founded
2004Read 28 Sep 2026 · xericdesign.com
Company size
The maker describes a two-person operation: founder-developer Trygve Inda and Karen Inda handling sales and support.Read 15 Oct 2026 · xericdesign.com
Compatibility
The stated minimums are macOS 10.14, Windows 7, or tvOS 13.2.Read 9 Oct 2026 · xericdesign.com
Data providers
Storm information is powered by Aeris and cloud imagery comes from SSEC RealEarth at UW-Madison.Read 15 Oct 2026 · xericdesign.com
Documentation and support
Xeric provides a support page, downloadable user guide, troubleshooting answers, uninstall procedures and a contact form.Read 15 Oct 2026 · xericdesign.com
Earthquake tracking
Users can set a minimum earthquake magnitude, retention period and fade-out behavior for older events.Read 15 Oct 2026 · xericdesign.com
Extensibility
Xeric documents authenticated HTTP cloud-map downloads with wget and curl for its related Xplanet service, but the opened pages provide no EarthDesk SDK or public API.Read 15 Oct 2026 · xericdesign.com
Intended use
The maker describes EarthDesk as a desktop Earth visualization that also provides information through live data such as clouds, earthquakes, named storms, and the ISS.Read 9 Oct 2026 · xericdesign.com
Known limitation
The support page says EarthDesk does not currently work with Path Finder on macOS.Read 9 Oct 2026 · xericdesign.com
Licence
The licence agreement says the software is copyrighted and use requires accepting Xeric Design's terms.Read 15 Oct 2026 · xericdesign.com
Limit: Apple reviewers
One Apple reviewer reported that the App Store version could not operate as a screen saver and had unreliable menu-bar controls.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Limit: ATPM review
ATPM's reviewer said EarthDesk lacked calendar and time-zone markings found on a Geochron display.Read 15 Oct 2026 · atpm.com
Limit: MacUpdate licensing
MacUpdate comments include reports of license keys not registering and broken links to older installers.Read 15 Oct 2026 · earthdesk.macupdate.com
Limit: MacUpdate resource use
A MacUpdate user complained that EarthDesk consumed a lot of system resources despite praising its appearance.Read 15 Oct 2026 · earthdesk.macupdate.com
Limit: Softpedia unregistered mode
Softpedia states that the unregistered version places a watermark on the map.Read 15 Oct 2026 · softpedia.com
Live view
The product features near real-time clouds, accurate sun and moon depictions, and city lighting.Read 9 Oct 2026 · xericdesign.com
Maker history
Xeric says EarthDesk began in 2002 and the company incorporated in 2004.Read 15 Oct 2026 · xericdesign.com
Map centering
Maps can be centered by latitude and longitude, relative to the sun or moon, or on any of 10,000 locations.Read 15 Oct 2026 · xericdesign.com
Map labels
Users can create multicolor city labels grouped by category, with labels configured independently for each screen.Read 15 Oct 2026 · xericdesign.com
Map projections
It offers 12 projections, including Mercator, Azimuthal, Equirectangular and a globe mode with optional stars.Read 15 Oct 2026 · xericdesign.com
Multiple displays
EarthDesk can show a different map on each of multiple screens or span one map across them.Read 9 Oct 2026 · xericdesign.com
Multiple monitors
EarthDesk supports separate maps on multiple displays or one map spanning all connected screens.Read 15 Oct 2026 · xericdesign.com
Notable update
Apple's version history records native M1 Mac support in version 7.5 released February 17, 2021.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Performance
The maker says EarthDesk runs in the background while using minimal system resources.Read 15 Oct 2026 · xericdesign.com
Platform support
EarthDesk is available for Mac, Windows, and Apple TV; the desktop download page notes Windows 11 may not be fully supported in some cases.Read 9 Oct 2026 · xericdesign.com
Praise: Apple reviewers
Apple reviewers repeatedly praised the visual quality, configurability, multiple-monitor controls and fast technical support.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Praise: ATPM review
ATPM rated EarthDesk 3.5.4 Outstanding and described it as stable with superb map image quality.Read 15 Oct 2026 · atpm.com
Praise: Softpedia usability
Softpedia's reviewer found installation and customization approachable for inexperienced users because of the tiled interface.Read 15 Oct 2026 · softpedia.com
Precision clouds
The paid data feed uses imagery from 23 satellites, corrects parallax and provides 32-megapixel detail updated every three hours.Read 15 Oct 2026 · xericdesign.com
Rating on Apple App Store
Not displayed because Apple says the app has not received enough ratings or reviews; count not stated.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Rating on MacUpdate
3.6 out of 5 from 214 user ratesRead 15 Oct 2026 · earthdesk.macupdate.com
Rating on Softpedia
3.1 out of 5 from 8 votesRead 15 Oct 2026 · softpedia.com
Real-time lighting
The application renders changing sunlight, moonlight and city illumination.Read 15 Oct 2026 · xericdesign.com
Standard clouds
The free cloud service supplies 2-megapixel global imagery refreshed every six hours.Read 15 Oct 2026 · xericdesign.com
Storm data integration
Named storm data is powered by Aeris, and cloud data is sourced from SSEC RealEarth at UW-Madison.Read 9 Oct 2026 · xericdesign.com
Storm tracking
The software tracks named tropical storms, cyclones, typhoons and hurricanes and can show Saffir-Simpson categories.Read 15 Oct 2026 · xericdesign.com
Systems
The stated minimums are macOS 10.14, Windows 7 and tvOS 13.2.Read 15 Oct 2026 · xericdesign.com
Windows limitation
The download page warns that Windows 11 is not fully supported in some cases.Read 15 Oct 2026 · xericdesign.com

Plans and prices

EarthDesk 7 upgrade $12.99, paid once one-time Requires previous license key Read 15 Oct 2026 · xericdesign.com
EarthDesk data subscription $14.99 a year 1 year Precision Clouds · Earthquakes · Tropical Storms · International Space Station display Read 9 Oct 2026 · xericdesign.com
Single-user data subscription $14.99 a year 1 year Mac or Windows · 2 computers · precision clouds · earthquakes · tropical storms · ISS display Read 15 Oct 2026 · xericdesign.com
EarthDesk 7 with 1-year subscription upgrade $20.99, paid once one-time Mac or Windows · 2 computers · includes 1-year data subscription Read 15 Oct 2026 · xericdesign.com
EarthDesk 7 single-user license $24.99, paid once one-time Mac or Windows · licensed for 2 computers Read 15 Oct 2026 · xericdesign.com
Five-user data subscription $24.99 a year 1 year Mac or Windows · 5 computers · precision clouds · earthquakes · tropical storms · ISS display Read 15 Oct 2026 · xericdesign.com
Small-business data subscription $39.99 a year 1 year Mac or Windows · 12 computers · precision clouds · earthquakes · tropical storms · ISS display Read 15 Oct 2026 · xericdesign.com

Every EarthDesk plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Offers 12 map projections.
  • Supports separate maps or one spanning multiple screens.
  • Standard global cloud images refresh every six hours.
  • Free trial available for Mac or Windows.

Limits

  • No free plan.
  • Data subscription costs $14.99 a year.
  • Upgrade costs 12.99 USD once and requires a previous license key.
  • Does not currently work with Path Finder on macOS.

Who it suits

EarthDesk suits people who want a changing Earth visualization as a desktop background, including multiple-screen setups. The data subscription is for users who also want its additional imagery and live information displays.

Verdict

EarthDesk combines a customizable planetary view with optional detailed imagery and information displays. Check the listed OS minimums and Path Finder limitation, and distinguish the base license from the paid data subscription.

Where Specifiction places it

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