RouteFlick vs Google Earth Pro — modern 3D tour videos without the hassle
About this guide and its evidence
Published by RouteFlick, the maker of the product described here. This is first-party guidance, not an independent review.
Route previews are actual exports. An example route illustrates a workflow; it does not prove every feature or a competitor's output. Export speed depends on your device.
Presentation and route evidence updated September 15, 2026. This date does not mean every external price or feature was re-tested. Confirm current vendor terms before buying.
Google announced that Google Earth Pro for desktop will no longer be available for download after June 25, 2027. For years, creators and travel filmmakers relied on its 'Record a Tour' feature to fly over KML tracks—even though it required tedious manual joystick steering, complex XML keyframing, and real-time screen capture prone to stutter.
RouteFlick is the modern browser-based successor for travel and route tour videos: import your KML/KMZ or GPX file, let automated director cameras fly the route over a cinematic 3D globe, and export a pristine 4K 60fps MP4 file directly from your browser—no legacy desktop software required.
Watch the result before you use it
This is a finished RouteFlick video for RouteFlick Europe demonstration route, not an illustration or simulated interface.
Side by side
| Feature | Google Earth Pro | RouteFlick |
|---|---|---|
| Software Lifecycle | Legacy desktop app; downloads sunset June 25, 2027 | Modern web studio running on any browser, actively maintained with modern WebGPU |
| Tour Recording | Manual mouse/joystick steering or manual KML gx:Tour coding | Automated cinematic camera director (calculates banking, turns, and framing automatically) |
| Video Export Quality | Real-time screen capture (frequent dropped frames, stutter, capped at 30 fps) | Frame-by-frame deterministic WebCodecs export up to 4K 60 fps (zero dropped frames) |
| Travel Storytelling | Plain lines and pins on terrain | Transport vehicle models, country flags, distance tags, photo cards with Ken Burns, and music |
| File Formats | KML, KMZ | KML, KMZ, GPX, GeoJSON, and direct Google Maps URL link resolution |
| Platform | Desktop only (Windows, macOS, Linux x86) | Any device: PC, Mac, Chromebook, iPad, iPhone, Android |
| Sound & Music | None | Integrated soundtrack library + custom audio upload with auto-ducking |
| Aspect Ratios | Desktop window resolution only | One-tap 16:9 Widescreen, 9:16 Vertical, 1:1 Square |
| Pricing | Free legacy software | Unlimited Full HD exports free; flat $4.89/mo Pro for 4K & KML/GPX import |
💡 Feature and pricing details are accurate at the time of writing and may change — check both products for the latest.
When Google Earth Pro is the better pick
- You need specialized GIS measurement tools, historical imagery sliders, or polygon boundary analysis for professional surveying.
- You need offline desktop military/geological GIS tools (QGIS or ArcGIS Earth are the best fit for this).
When RouteFlick is the better pick
- You used Google Earth Pro's 'Record a Tour' to make travel flyover videos and want a faster, vastly superior workflow.
- You want automated cinematic camera moves without wrestling with a joystick or writing KML gx:Tour script tags.
- You need broadcast-ready 4K 60fps MP4 video files with zero stutter, zero dropped frames, and no desktop screen recording.
- You want to add vehicles, city labels with flags, per-stop photos, and music.
Try RouteFlick free — no install, no credit card
Open a working route immediately, edit it in the browser, and judge the real preview before you export.
FAQ
Is Google Earth Pro shutting down?
Google announced that Google Earth Pro desktop downloads will stop on June 25, 2027. While existing desktop installations may still open, no further updates, bug fixes, or security patches will be issued. RouteFlick provides a modern, maintained browser-based alternative for producing route flyovers and travel tour videos.
Can RouteFlick import my existing Google Earth KML and KMZ files?
Yes — RouteFlick imports standard KML and KMZ files directly. Placemarks, paths, and waypoints are converted into cinematic route stops automatically on a 3D globe.
How is RouteFlick better than Google Earth Pro's 'Record a Tour'?
Recording a tour in Google Earth Pro required manual joystick or mouse steering while recording the screen live, leading to jitter and dropped frames. RouteFlick's director engine calculates smooth flight trajectories, camera banking, and speed curves automatically, exporting frame-by-frame perfect 4K 60fps MP4 video.
Do I need to install software or have a powerful GPU?
No — RouteFlick runs inside standard modern browsers (Chrome, Edge, Safari, Firefox). It uses Three.js with WebGPU (and WebGL2 fallback) to render directly on your hardware without heavy software installs.
Can I make 9:16 vertical videos for social media from my KML routes?
Yes — Google Earth Pro is locked to desktop screen dimensions, while RouteFlick lets you switch between 9:16 vertical (Reels/Shorts/TikTok), 16:9 widescreen, and 1:1 square in one click.