Google Maps vs Waze vs Apple Maps

View Inventory

Best Navigation App

Want to uncover the best navigation app?

If you’re a driver of a certain age you probably recall an emergency road atlas, printed directions, and the days of watching the odometer like a hawk to track the miles until the next turn off to help guide you. These days, computerized navigation is an option on almost every single brand-new cell phone and car. While nearly all NAV applications produce the same basic info, how and what information they present can be quite different. With so many options available to choose from, how can you decide which one is the best? We’ve narrowed it down to our top 3 choices, Google Maps vs. Waze vs. Apple Maps. Apple CarPlay® may seem like the frontrunner because it is installed in so many new cars, but Waze and Google Maps have their own unique built-in advantages as well.

Google

The most powerful map app in this review is Google Maps as all of the data comes from Google itself.

Advantages of Google Maps

• Vehicles are just the beginning – If you want to walk, bike, or take a train then Google Maps is ready.
• Traffic in real-time – See how much time that traffic jam is going to add to your trip.
• Street View, a Google Exclusive – See real images of your location on the map.
• Offline availability – No cell reception, no problem. Download your map.

Apple

Thanks to the CarPlay® integration with many new cars, Apple Maps could be the easiest navigation app to use on the market. ​Apple Maps has one minor flaw, it is only available on iOS devices.

Apple Maps Biggest Benefits

• Pit Stops from Apple – Find gas stations that are nearby and other attractions.
• Several different options for NAV – Get map options for walking and public transportation, along with driving routes.
• Look Around by Apple – See both a map view of your location and images of the area. This feature can be useful if you get lost.

Waze

Waze was the first to feature some form of crowd-sourced traffic data, though other navigation applications now use the information too.

Biggest Benefits

• Updates on traffic as they happen – Other drivers input info while they drive, that information is then used to update the route to give the fastest way to your destination.
• Not only directions – Get real-time information about construction, incidents, and speed traps.
• Integration with Facebook – Post your location on your timeline and share your road trip.

The Winner

It should be no surprise, but the best Navigation Application depends on what drivers need. If you get lost frequently, the Look Around option on Apple Maps will be helpful. If you use NAV to plan your next cycling road trip, Google Maps is for you. However, if you just need to get somewhere in the shortest time possible, then Waze is your only choice. Waze, Google Maps, and Apple Maps all have unique features and you truly can’t go wrong with any of them.