GIS Cloud vs Google Earth Engine

GIS Cloud provides web and mobile tools for mapping, data management and field collection, with maps that teams can share privately, with collaborators or publicly. Map Editor supports vector and raster formats, multiple layers and basemaps, and drawing points, lines and polygons. Listed data sources include WMS, WFS, WMTS, PostgreSQL, Oracle, Excel, CSV, Bing, OpenStreetMap and Mapbox. Mobile Data Collection uses custom forms to gather points, lines and polygons online or offline on Android and iOS; offline records stay on the device and sync when connectivity returns. QGIS and ArcMap publisher plugins, REST and JavaScript APIs provide additional connections. AI Form Fill can suggest form values from photos or voice, which users can review, edit or revert before saving. GIS Cloud says data is hosted on AWS in the US by default, with EU and Australia regions and on-premises deployment available. Plans include Track at $5 a month per asset, Map Viewer at $12 a month billed annually, Mobile Data Collection at $25 a month billed annually, Map Editor at $75 a month billed annually and Map Portal at $79 a month billed annually. The Geocoder is in beta for beta customers only.

Google Earth Engine combines satellite imagery and geospatial datasets for large-scale analysis of changes, trends, and surface differences. Its public archive holds more than eighty petabytes of geospatial data and over thirty years of historical imagery, with additions made daily. The web-based Code Editor includes JavaScript editing, map visualization, interactive queries, geometry drawing, task management, API reference, and Git-based script management. Python and JavaScript APIs also support local client-library use. Earth Engine integrates with Google Cloud and can load BigQuery tables, run BigQuery queries, and export results there; the maker also describes interoperability with tools including TensorFlow, PyTorch, Spark, and Pandas. Shareable Apps let stakeholders explore analyses through interactive interfaces. Uses include remote sensing, climate analysis, natural resource management, and sustainability. Eligible groups may qualify for restricted noncommercial use at no cost; commercial and government operational customers are charged. Individual & SMB Basic and Enterprise Basic cost $500 per month; Enterprise Professional costs $2000 per month. Usage-based storage and compute charges are also listed.