Earth Online: non-stop satellite monitoring platform

We have indeed chosen to let everyone explore our whole dataset of satellite images for free, so that more people, even not specialized in the field, can give a go at navigating geospatial imagery.

That is why all our features are entirely available for all geography enthusiasts to enjoy : split view, swipe and our amazing timelapse animation tool. Also free are our four satellite layers, namely natural colors, infrared, NDVI (vegetation health) and radar. A fifth layer, displaying our LAI index, can be accessed under a paid plan.

Free satellite views, but not unlimited

So subscription to, and use of Nimbo Earth Online is entirely free. Free, but not unlimited. This means that any user will get an amount of browsing credits per month – we call them geocredits – to navigate our maps as they please. Once these credits run out, all services will stop until they automatically refill at the start of the following month. So, kind of like a mobile phone plan, but at no charge.

But don’t worry, Nimbo’s free geocredit allocation is amply sufficient to enjoy Earth exploration as you please. And should you need more, just get in touch with us to learn more about our paid plans !

Re: Earth Online: non-stop satellite monitoring platform

#5

Post by matt3210 » Sat, Apr 20, 2024, 8:46 PM UTC

This is a good business model. I can see the product for free and if I have a use for more than personal level of access I can buy.

Re: Earth Online: non-stop satellite monitoring platform

#6

Post by exploringBytes » Sat, Apr 20, 2024, 9:24 PM UTC

Many applications educating us about human's influence on earth and climate change can be realized with this tool. I'm wondering if and how this service could also be used to quicker stop conflicts and bring peace to the world. Any ideas?

Re: Earth Online: non-stop satellite monitoring platform

#7

Post by jcrawfordor » Sat, Apr 20, 2024, 9:49 PM UTC

dvdplm wrote: post #2

Why is this provided for free?

At the lower end of the market, the main competition (Google, Bing, Apple) are totally free. The emphasis on QGIS support suggests that they're hoping to capture "prosumer" and smaller business applications that would get value out of a more professional toolset but aren't in a position to get into the ESRI pricing tier. If you can get people to do their basic looking around in your product for free, you have a way better chance of making some money off of them when they want a more specialized product from time to time.

I'm in that sort of position, I have research projects that I've even paid for custom satellite tasking for (not as expensive as you would think these days!), but I don't have the budget for a costly subscription. It's only in recent years that there are services that appeal to these lower-dollar user types though. The free for the basics, fee for analytics and tasking model is pretty common for newer remote sensing companies and I think the trend will continue.

Re: Earth Online: non-stop satellite monitoring platform

#8

Post by wolverine876 » Sat, Apr 20, 2024, 10:10 PM UTC

dvdplm wrote: post #2

Why is this provided for free?

It's interesting that this common decision, both for business and 'mission' purposes (often people also love what they do, the community around it, etc.), is mysterious.

Re: Earth Online: non-stop satellite monitoring platform

#9

Post by throwaway888abc » Sat, Apr 20, 2024, 10:36 PM UTC

Onawa wrote: post #4

dvdplm wrote: post #2

Why is this provided for free?

Advertising and free samples, in short. From their explanations: Nimbo features and satellite layers open for everyone We have indeed chosen to let everyone explore our whole dataset of satellite images for free, so that more people, even not specialized in the field, can give a go at navigating geospatial imagery. That is why all our features are entirely available for all geography enthusiasts to enjoy : split view…

Paywall ? (As one word)

Re: Earth Online: non-stop satellite monitoring platform

#10

Post by jofer » Sun, Apr 21, 2024, 12:42 AM UTC

dvdplm wrote: post #2

Why is this provided for free?

It's also based on open and freely accessible data: Sentinel2.

That's not to take anything away from what they're doing. They've done a very very nice job. But there's a precedent for folks expecting open data and paying for additional services/etc.