Satellites.pro Review

Satellites.pro is a satellite map that lets you explore the globe. It’s free to use and web-based, which means you can access it from any browser, on any device.

Today, I will be reviewing Satellites.pro. I will explore its features, user experience, and more.

If you’re wondering whether Satellites.pro is any good, read on!

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Satellites.pro Overview

Satellites.pro is a free satellite map, available in your browser, which you can use to explore Earth. It is powered by highly accurate satellite imagery and allows you to zoom in with high-resolution imagery.

Not only that, but it provides maps from various sources. So, not only can you view satellite maps, but you can also view street maps from Google Maps and other sources.

Let’s dig a bit deeper into the features of Satellites.pro.

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Types of Maps

There are two types of map views available on Satellites.pro.

Satellite View

The Satellite view is the default view. It shows images captured from satellites.

You can use your mouse or cursor to navigate around the globe or zoom into a specific country or region. Alternatively, you can use the drop-down menu at the top of the page to select or search for a specific country.

One thing really going for Satellites.pro is that you zoom in as much as you want. It’s kind of similar to Google Earth in that sense.

As you zoom in, you will start seeing houses, streets, and more details, as shown in the screenshot below.

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You can use it to explore your childhood home or check out an area you intend to travel to. It’s really cool and a lot of fun to use.

Of course, there is a limit to how much you can zoom in; at a certain point, you just won’t be able to zoom in anymore.

By default, the satellite view uses a combination of satellite imagery and details pulled from Apple Maps.

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Flat Map View

The “plan” map shows you a flat map, without satellite imagery. It is similar to any map application you would find on your phone, such as Google Maps, Apple Maps, or OpenStreetMap.

Again, by default, it is based on Apple Maps, although you can change this in the settings.

Once again, you can zoom in, but it won’t show houses, trees, or other satellite images. Instead, it will show flat terrain details (such as rivers and areas of forestry) and road networks.

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Map Sources

So far, we have discussed the two map views. However, there are four map sources that power these two maps; let’s talk about them.

Apple Maps

Apple Maps is owned by Apple. It is the default map source used on Satellites.pro.

It supports both satellite view and flat view.

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OpenStreetMap

Instead of using Apple Maps for the flat map view, you can use OpenStreetMap.

OpenStreetMap is a global project, driven by volunteers around the world who contribute to the project by adding map details.

It is an open-source project and one of the best alternatives to Apple Maps, Google Maps, and other proprietary map projects funded and owned by large corporations.

OpenStreetMap does not support satellite view, only flat view. It not only shows rivers, areas of forestry, road networks, and road names, but it also shows you borders between regions, such as states and counties.

It also supports temperature labels, which display the current temperature on the map, as shown in the screenshot above.

Google Maps

Another supported source is Google Maps. Google Maps supports both satellite view and flat map view.

With satellite view and Google Maps, you can zoom in to see Google Maps data overlaid on satellite imagery.

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As you can see in the screenshot, you can see businesses registered on Google Maps alongside satellite imagery. It’s pretty cool!

In flat view mode, you will see a standard version of Google Maps, similar to the one you might see on your phone when getting directions to a new destination.

Yandex Maps

Finally, you can use Yandex Maps as a source. Yandex Maps is owned by Yandex, a Russian company that is Russia’s alternative to Google.

Yandex has its own search engine and even a taxi hailing service called Yandex Taxi! Yandex Taxi operates mostly in Russia and some post-Soviet countries, like Georgia, as well as various countries in the Middle East and Africa.

In any case, you can use Yandex Maps as a source for both satellite and flat map views.

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Which One Should You Choose?

I prefer Google Maps. That’s just my personal preference; I feel like it’s easier to find accurate business information than Apple Maps, as more people use Google Maps globally.

It’s definitely more accurate than OpenStreetMap. While I appreciate the open-source nature of the OpenStreetMap project, when I need directions or information about a business, accuracy is my top priority.

Google Maps is more accurate than OpenStreetMap because it has professional editing and oversight that is reliable, unlike OpenStreetMap, which is driven by volunteers.

Most of all, I like reading Google reviews of businesses I am interested in visiting, as I find them the most helpful compared to other sources.

The only time I would use Yandex Maps over Google Maps is if I happen to be visiting Russia or other post-Soviet countries, or countries that are part of the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States), like Belarus, Moldova, and Kazakhstan.

I’ve never been to any of those countries myself, but it’s safe to assume that Yandex is quite accurate over there and perhaps more accurate than Google Maps due to its large presence and ubiquitous use.

Tools

Let’s talk about some of the other tools that Satellites.pro offers.

Distance Measurements

There is a measurement tool that you can use to measure the distance between two points on the map. In the example shown in the screenshot above, I have used it to measure the distance between Albuquerque and Oklahoma City.

Note that actual driving distances can vary depending on road networks. Fortunately, Satellites.pro has something for that as well.

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Navigational Directions

One of the best things about Satellites.pro is that you can use it to get navigational directions, just like you would on Google Maps or Apple Maps.

All you have to do is select a starting point and a destination. Enter an exact address or the name of a building or business.

Then, select whether you want driving, walking, cycling, or public transit routes.

It’s really easy to use and very helpful.

Weather Data

Satellites.pro has a handy button on the left side of the page that allows you to quickly view weather data. If you want more detailed weather information, you can do so as well.

The detailed forecast shows you the upcoming forecast for the next few days, the temperature forecast, and the precipitation forecast. It also shows you the current humidity, wind speeds, and more.

If you want the weather forecast for your specific location, use the “Find My Location” button on the left side of the screen, which takes you to your current location. Then, click on the weather forecast option.

Note that the availability of the measuring tool, navigational directions, and weather data depends on which map source you are using. If you don’t see any of these three options, simply switch to a different source.

Does Satellites.pro Have Ads?

Yes. One of the disadvantages of Satellites.pro is that it has ads – and lots of them.

There is an ad at the bottom of the screen and another one in the upper-right corner. As if these ads weren’t annoying enough, there are also ads that appear when you reload the page (such as when you switch from one map source to another).

Those ads take up the entire screen and must be closed before you can reload the page.

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Conclusion

Satellites.pro is good, not only because it’s free but because it blends different map types and sources together.

You can use it as an alternative to Google Earth and Google Maps in one application. One can get basic weather information, measure distances, get directions, and more.

Try it sometime and experience it for yourself.