Hey,
I've gotten this question a lot recently so I think here would be a good place to explain the differences between the two game modes for everyone to be able to see. I'll list a few key points below.
Earth:
- No admin shop - Eco is based around jobs and selling items to other players.
- Towns to invite other players and build.
-
Wars/Seiges - Toggles pvp on in the town - There is keep inventory for Nation Leader/Assistants & Town Mayor/Assistants/Guards (only in a 150 block radius though) - If you win you can plunder/take money and occupy.
- No keep inventory in wild.
- Map to see where other players and towns are located.
- Less custom enchants
- Very little unbreakable armor
Survival:
- Admin shop to sell items
- Parties for claiming
- Keep inventory in wild
- isles/custom mobs in isles world
- Tons of custom enchants
- 1.8 style pvp
Pretty much the best way to explain the differences are that Earth is more based around pvp and a vanilla experience, when Survival is more about grinding/afking spawners to make money. Earth is kind of like a hybrid between Survival and Factions, except that you cannot raid towns/steal items. There's a much greater pvp emphasis on Earth than on Survival.
Earth Wiki
Survival Wiki