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EarthDesk
Xeric Design is based in Incline Village, Nevada, on Lake Tahoe's north shore.
What it is
EarthDesk turns a computer desktop into a continuously updating view of Earth from space. The display includes near-real-time clouds, depictions of the sun and moon, and city lighting. Users can choose from 12 map projections, including Mercator, Azimuthal, Equirectangular, and a globe with an optional starfield. Maps can be centered by latitude and longitude, relative to the sun or moon, or on one of 10,000 locations; a data subscription adds more centering options. On multiple displays, EarthDesk can show a different map on each screen or span one map across them. Standard cloud images are global, 2-megapixel images updated every six hours. The data subscription adds geo-located, parallax-corrected imagery from 23 satellites at 32-megapixel detail, updated every three hours, plus earthquakes, tropical storms, and International Space Station information. A single-user license starts at $24.99 once and covers two Mac or Windows computers. A Mac or Windows trial is available before purchase. An upgrade costs $12.99 once and requires a previous license key; the data subscription costs $14.99 a year.
For and against
For
- Offers 12 map projections.
- Supports different maps or one spanning multiple screens.
- Standard global cloud images update every six hours.
- Trial available for Mac and Windows.
Against
- Single-user license starts at $24.99 once.
- Data subscription costs $14.99 a year.
- Windows 11 may not be fully supported in some cases.
- Does not currently work with Path Finder on macOS.
The verdict
EarthDesk pairs a customizable Earth display with standard cloud imagery and optional expanded data. Check the stated compatibility limits and separate subscription cost before choosing a license.
Who it suits
EarthDesk suits people who want an Earth visualization on their desktop, with live cloud and celestial imagery. It may also interest users with multiple displays or a need for the optional data subscription's additional information.
Plans and prices
EarthDesk 7 upgrade
Requires previous license key
Read 15 Oct 2026 · xericdesign.com
Single-user data subscription
Mac or Windows · 2 computers · precision clouds · earthquakes
Read 15 Oct 2026 · xericdesign.com
EarthDesk 7 with 1-year subscription upgrade
Mac or Windows · 2 computers · includes 1-year data subscription
Read 15 Oct 2026 · xericdesign.com
EarthDesk 7 single-user license
Mac or Windows · licensed for 2 computers
Read 15 Oct 2026 · xericdesign.com
Five-user data subscription
Mac or Windows · 5 computers · precision clouds · earthquakes
Read 15 Oct 2026 · xericdesign.com
Small-business data subscription
Mac or Windows · 12 computers · precision clouds · earthquakes
Read 15 Oct 2026 · xericdesign.com
EarthDesk data subscription
Precision Clouds · Earthquakes · Tropical Storms · International Space Station display
Read 9 Oct 2026 · xericdesign.com
On the record
- Company size
- The maker describes a two-person operation: founder-developer Trygve Inda and Karen Inda handling sales and support.xericdesign.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Compatibility
- The stated minimums are macOS 10.14, Windows 7, or tvOS 13.2.xericdesign.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Data providers
- Storm information is powered by Aeris and cloud imagery comes from SSEC RealEarth at UW-Madison.xericdesign.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Documentation and support
- Xeric provides a support page, downloadable user guide, troubleshooting answers, uninstall procedures and a contact form.xericdesign.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Earthquake tracking
- Users can set a minimum earthquake magnitude, retention period and fade-out behavior for older events.xericdesign.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- 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.xericdesign.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- 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.xericdesign.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Known limitation
- The support page says EarthDesk does not currently work with Path Finder on macOS.xericdesign.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Licence
- The licence agreement says the software is copyrighted and use requires accepting Xeric Design's terms.xericdesign.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- 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.apps.apple.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: ATPM review
- ATPM's reviewer said EarthDesk lacked calendar and time-zone markings found on a Geochron display.atpm.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: MacUpdate licensing
- MacUpdate comments include reports of license keys not registering and broken links to older installers.earthdesk.macupdate.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: MacUpdate resource use
- A MacUpdate user complained that EarthDesk consumed a lot of system resources despite praising its appearance.earthdesk.macupdate.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: Softpedia unregistered mode
- Softpedia states that the unregistered version places a watermark on the map.softpedia.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Live view
- The product features near real-time clouds, accurate sun and moon depictions, and city lighting.xericdesign.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Maker history
- Xeric says EarthDesk began in 2002 and the company incorporated in 2004.xericdesign.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Map centering
- Maps can be centered by latitude and longitude, relative to the sun or moon, or on any of 10,000 locations.xericdesign.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Map labels
- Users can create multicolor city labels grouped by category, with labels configured independently for each screen.xericdesign.com · read 15 Oct 2026
