Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Google Arts & Culture vs Google Earth

Google Arts & Culture 4.7★ · Free + IAP 65
Winner Google Arts & Culture
Google Earth 4.0★ · Free + IAP 40

Google Arts & Culture is the better choice for those interested in exploring art and culture, despite its recent technical and AI-related issues, while Google Earth struggles with outdated imagery and persistent blurring problems.

Full reviews: Google Arts & Culture · Google Earth

Google Arts & Culture offers a vast resource for art and culture enthusiasts, though recent updates have introduced frustrating AI features and technical glitches, particularly with landscape mode. Google Earth, while offering global exploration, is plagued by outdated satellite imagery, consistent blurring issues, and a lack of updates, making it less reliable for current information.

Head to head

Features & Content edge: Google Arts & CultureR2R3R6R7
Google Arts & Culture Google Arts & Culture is praised for its extensive collection of artworks, interactive exhibits, and educational content, allowing users to engage deeply with art history R23R44. However, recent updates have introduced unwanted AI-generated content, such as podcasts and drawing experiences, which many users find intrusive and a 'devaluing of human expression' R2R3R7. Some users also report issues with games not working R6R10 and a poor search function .
Google Earth Google Earth is valued for its ability to explore the world, view homes, and plan trips R86. Users appreciate the street view and 3D capabilities for immersive experiences R86. However, a significant complaint is the outdated satellite imagery, with many users reporting that maps show construction sites or old versions of their homes from years ago R67R70R73R76. There are also requests for features like showing coordinates and bringing back 'projects by Google' .
Ease of Use & Interface edge: Google Arts & CultureR9R12R13R16
Google Arts & Culture Users generally find Google Arts & Culture's visual appeal intuitive and easy to use for learning and exploration R23. However, a major and frequent complaint is the lack of landscape mode support, especially on iPads, which frustrates users who prefer to use their devices with keyboards or for a wider view R9R12R13R18. Other interface issues include tiny unadjustable font sizes R16, a convoluted redesign , and banners obstructing views when zooming .
Google Earth Google Earth's interface allows for global exploration, but users report it becoming blurry and pixelated after a few minutes of use, requiring the app to be closed and reopened . Some find the placement of new buttons inconvenient and note that the new version removes the ability to zoom in on photos of places on iPads .
Reliability & Performance tieR1R4R6R10
Google Arts & Culture Google Arts & Culture suffers from significant reliability issues, with many users reporting the app failing to open, showing 'app error,' or crashing frequently R1R13R21R24. Games often fail to load content R6R10. There are also reports of glitches where favorite images cannot be removed R4 and content not scrolling properly .
Google Earth Google Earth has persistent performance problems, most notably the imagery becoming blurry or pixelated after a short period of use, forcing users to restart the app . The app also experiences crashes when saving pin changes and freezes regularly . Some users report the app no longer working on older iOS versions .
Price & Value tieR23R26R44R86
Google Arts & Culture Google Arts & Culture is a free app, and users appreciate the concept of a free platform for discovering and learning about arts and culture R26. The value is seen in the 'endless joy and wonder' and educational experiences it provides without cost R23R44.
Google Earth Google Earth is also a free app, and users see it as a 'free ticket to anywhere on earth' R86. However, some users express frustration with perceived attempts to monetize basic features into a subscription service , although the app itself is free.
Pick Google Arts & Culture if

you are an art and culture enthusiast looking for a vast, free resource to explore historical and contemporary art, and you are willing to overlook some technical glitches and the presence of AI features R23R44.

Pick Google Earth if

you want a free app to explore global geography and street-level views, and you are not concerned with having the most up-to-date satellite imagery or dealing with occasional blurring issues R86.

Evidence note: Both apps are free, so negative reviews for both are largely focused on functionality and feature implementation rather than pricing. Google Arts & Culture has a higher lifetime rating but faces significant recent criticism regarding AI integration and landscape mode support. Google Earth's lower lifetime rating is consistent with widespread complaints about outdated imagery and blurring.

Frequently asked

Does Google Arts & Culture support landscape mode?
No, Google Arts & Culture currently lacks landscape mode support, particularly on iPads, which is a frequent complaint from users who prefer to use their devices horizontally R9R12R13R18.
Are Google Arts & Culture and Google Earth free to use?
Yes, both Google Arts & Culture and Google Earth are free to download and use, offering extensive content without a required subscription R26R86.
How current is the imagery on Google Earth?
The imagery on Google Earth is often outdated, with many users reporting that maps show construction sites or old versions of their homes from several years ago, rather than present-day views R67R70R73R76.
Do the apps have performance issues?
Yes, both apps have reported performance issues; Google Arts & Culture users experience frequent crashes and content loading failures R1R13R21R24, while Google Earth users commonly report imagery becoming blurry or pixelated after a few minutes, requiring an app restart .

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R2] Google Arts & Culture 4/5 · US Good potential, but ditch the AI: This app has a lot of potential and I was really looking forward to using it as an alternative to mindless scrolling. Unfortunately Google is leaning into AI way too much, including having soulless AI-generated podcasts that “discuss” art. What an insult to humanity! I had to immediately uninstall.
  2. [R3] Google Arts & Culture 3/5 · US AI features are a miss: I think this app is a great resource in general for art fans. But these AI features being pushed upon the user base are a huge turn off. Why would a fan of visual art, likely an artist themselves, want to listen to an AI character podcasting about Starry Night? I think the AI audio stuff is downright useful in Notebook LM, but here? Just feels like a devaluing of human expr
  3. [R6] Google Arts & Culture 3/5 · US What the heck?!: Bro literally the games don’t work! At school, we play on the website on our iPads and the games work perfectly. But all of a sudden I download it on my phone and the games don’t work! The learning stuff and the camera games work but not the real games like the viola game and the blob opera. Pls fix it!!!
  4. [R7] Google Arts & Culture 1/5 · US ai everywhere: the fact there is a large ai box on everything is so annoying it obstructs the view and is just so frustrating. why does ai have to be literally everywhere i turn even when im trying to learn about art. at least make an option to make it go away
  5. [R9] Google Arts & Culture 3/5 · US No landscape support: Works fine in portrait mode but desperately needs landscape mode.
  6. [R12] Google Arts & Culture 3/5 · US The iPad app needs more work: I was amused by this project when I saw it on web, however it was not so good when I downloaded the iPad app. The first main problem that I had was that the application does not work on landscape mode 🫠. It was a huge deception to me since I have a keyboard and I prefer to work on a landscape mode to see more images. 👎 The second enhancement that Google team should wo
  7. [R13] Google Arts & Culture 1/5 · US Terrible App: No landscape mode is honestly laughable coming from the biggest conglomerate. You’ll implement a bunch of useless tacky (ai) functions without even having a basic working system that allows for landscape mode. The search system makes it impossible to narrow down subject matter. Crashes all the time. When you’re looking through archives and go past a certain point it will crash and yo
  8. [R16] Google Arts & Culture 2/5 · US Interface needs much improvement: This app is an incredible, vast resource for you mind and soul. The main issue I have reading it on my ipad is the interface. There are no settings to change the font size, so you almost need a magnifying glass to read it.
  9. [R1] Google Arts & Culture 1/5 · US Broken App: This app has failed to work for the last two months. Opening it shows “app error” every time. It’s not a network connection as all my apps work properly except this one.
  10. [R4] Google Arts & Culture 1/5 · US This item no longer exists.: I don't use Arts & Culture that often; I only use this more for education. There is a glitch where you cannot remove favorite images (or images in the lists you have made) that show a greyed-out, squiggly/ripped icon. I can delete non-deleted artworks, but not the ones that show these symbols. First, I have tried to use uBlock Origin on my computer, but it won't let
  11. [R10] Google Arts & Culture 1/5 · US PLEASE READ: So I CANT GET IN GAMES BECAUSE “failing to load content”.I restarted and tried other stuff but it still WONT WORK please fix🥺🙏🏻🙏
  12. [R23] Google Arts & Culture 5/5 · US Greatest app in history of apps!!!!: This app brings me endless joy and wonder! Extremely engaging visual appeal that is so intuitive and easy to use. I love getting lost in their maze of learning! The various ways to learn/search for content, are so smart and fun. Thank you Google!!
  13. [R26] Google Arts & Culture 4/5 · US Love the concept: I haven’t gotten too deep into using this app but just from my initial impression, I love the idea of a free app where I can discover and learn about arts & culture. My only request from the app developers is to please add a feature to mark if you have seen the famous artworks in person. So to add them to my “collection” and learn more about them as well.
  14. [R44] Google Arts & Culture 5/5 · US You need this app!!!: This is the first time I’ve ever been moved to write an app review. Google Arts & Culture has fully changed the way I use my phone and consume content. This app is full of incredible educational information and learning experiences, everything from fascinating interactive virtual exhibits on the da Vinci codices to articles on history, art galleries, and so much more. I recen
  15. [R86] Google Earth 5/5 · US Amazing work, google!: Wanna travel the world and c anything u want? GET THIS APP. It is a free ticket to anywhere on earth in just a small, free download. Go into street view and with just 5 seconds, u don’t even remember ur on a screen! Therefore, google earth = GOAT!
  16. [R18] Google Arts & Culture 3/5 · US I love this app, but…: Since the moment I downloaded this app, I loved it. I love the easy access to a variety of artworks and their history, also that if you want to explore about any art content, it takes you to the correct websites. The only thing I have to complain is that the recent apps version does not support the screen rotation. I have it on my phone and on my iPad, and I can’t enjoy the
  17. [R67] Google Earth 1/5 · US Clearly wrong inconsistent images: Did you sell a house 5 years ago. This shows before you bought it lol.
  18. [R70] Google Earth 1/5 · US update ts and make it look better mane: outdated as hell, we’re in 2026 i’m wanting a realistic globe.
  19. [R73] Google Earth 1/5 · US Examine the planet: How can we examine the planet if it’s not updated properly with most recent everything
  20. [R76] Google Earth 2/5 · US Time to update your satellite images: I finished building my house and moved in over 2 years ago and your image of my home still shows a construction site with a port-a-potty at the end of my gravel driveway! Also...try taking the pictures closer to midday to avoid misleading lengthy shadows in your images.
  21. [R21] Google Arts & Culture 3/5 · US Not opening: Keeps crashing and is refusing to open on my phone.
  22. [R24] Google Arts & Culture 3/5 · US Needs a Better Update: The app crashes after several minutes of use, but overall very good hi-res images.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store