Global Human Settlement Layer: Global built-up area, population and settlement data. Google Open Buildings: Open building footprints detected from satellite imagery.
| Global Human Settlement Layer | Google Open Buildings | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Open Geodata Sources | Open Geodata Sources |
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Starts at | Free | Free |
| Free tier | — | — |
| Open source | No | No |
| Software licence | — | — |
| API | — | — |
| Platforms | Data download | Data download |
| Made by | European Commission JRC | Google Research |
| Commercial use | Check terms | Allowed |
| Export / print images | Check terms | Allowed |
| Offline / caching | Check terms | Check terms |
| Visits from MapTools | 2 | 3 |
| Visit | Visit |
Global Human Settlement Layer features
- Built-up surface grids
- Population grids
- Degree of Urbanisation
- Multi-epoch
Google Open Buildings features
- Building footprints with confidence
- Large regional coverage
- Earth Engine and download
CC BY-4.0 and ODbL dual licence.
Google Open Buildings alternativesSummary based on public information. Check each provider's current pricing and terms.