Waze, Google Maps, or Apple Maps – Which is Better?

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The Top Navigation App for your Vehicle

Find the top navigation app for your vehicle.

Drivers of a certain age may recall an emergency road atlas, printed directions, and the days of patiently checking your odometer to track the miles until your next exit to help guide you on long drives. These days, computerized NAV is available on almost every single new cell phone and vehicle. While most navigation applications give the same kind of info, how and what information they present can be quite different. With so many unique options, how can one decide which one is the best? We have narrowed it down to our top 3 choices, Google Maps vs. Waze vs. Apple Maps. CarPlay® is available in a bunch of new vehicles that it may feel like the frontrunner, but Waze and Google Maps have their own unique benefits.

Google

Google Maps is the most robust map app in this review as all of the info comes from Google itself.

Google Maps Benefits

• Offline availability – Download your map. No cell service, no problem.

• Google Exclusive: Street View – See real images of your map location.

• Traffic in an instant – See how much time that traffic jam is going to add to your trip.

• Cars are just the beginning – Google Maps can help you on your next walk, bike ride, or train ride.


Apple

Apple Maps could be the most prevalent navigation app, thanks to CarPlay® integration with many new vehicles. ​Apple Maps has one disadvantage, drivers must have an iOS device to use it.

Advantages of Apple Maps

• Look Around presented by Apple – See both images and a map of your location. Very useful if you are lost.
• Pit Stops from Apple – Find different attractions and fuel stations that are nearby.
• Several unique options for NAV – Apple has map options for driving, walking, and public transportation.

Waze

Despite other navigation apps now have some kind of crowd-sourced traffic info, Waze was the first NAV application to really use the technology as well.

Waze Benefits

• Get more than directions – Receive info about construction, accidents, and speed traps.
• Integration with Facebook – Share your road trip with friends by posting your location on your timeline.
• Updates as they happen – User update information as they drive, which is then used to figure out the quickest path to your destination.

Our Results Are In, The Winner of Waze vs Google Maps vs Apple Maps is:

It should be no surprise, but the best NAV App depends on how you use it. If you get lost easily, the Look Around feature on Apple Maps will be helpful. If you use Navigation to plan your next cycling trip, then Google Maps has you covered. However, if you just want to get somewhere in the quickest time possible, Waze is your best choice. Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Waze all have unique features and you really can’t go wrong, no matter which one you pick.