Side by side
GeoServer vs Google Earth Engine
Both stand on gis software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+2
GeoServer covers geospatial publishing and editing with open-standard services, multiple data sources, and configurable security. Teams should plan for a spatial database in production, especially when using WFS transactions.
Visit GeoServer
Free plan APILinuxWeb
Earth Engine pairs a large geospatial archive with analysis tools, APIs, and integrations for varied workflows. Access terms and capabilities differ by plan, and commercial and government operational use is charged.
Visit Google Earth EngineThe facts
| GeoServer | Google Earth Engine | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | API, Linux, Self-hosted, Web, Windows | API, Linux, Web |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Enterprise Basic: $500 a month |
| Plans published | 1 | 7 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | geoserver.org | earthengine.google.com |
| On gis software | #4 of 64 | #8 of 64 |
GeoServer: what it does well
- Free and open-source software
- Supports WMS, WFS, WCS, and WMTS
- Imports common geospatial formats and database sources
- Offers REST resource and security configuration
- Available as Linux, Windows, web archive, or Docker
What to know first
- Stable releases get six months of updates, then maintenance releases
- Production WFS transactions require spatial databases such as PostGIS
Google Earth Engine: what it does well
- Public archive exceeds eighty petabytes.
- Includes over thirty years of historical imagery.
- Offers Python and JavaScript APIs.
- Supports BigQuery data exchange.
- Shareable Apps let stakeholders explore analyses.
What to know first
- Individual & SMB Basic costs $500 a month.
- Limited access has no usage credits or SLA.
- VPC Service Controls are unavailable on listed Individual & SMB tiers.
Alternatives to GeoServer Alternatives to Google Earth Engine The whole list