Apple Maps, Google Maps, or Waze – Which is the Best?

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The Best Navigation Apps

Need to discover the best navigation apps?

Depending on how old you are, you probably remember the days of watching the odometer to count down the miles until the next exit, an emergency road atlas, and printed directions to help guide you on road trips. These days, electronic NAV is optional on almost every mobile phone and vehicle. While all navigation services provide the same kind of information, how and what information they present can be quite different. With so many different options to select from, how can anyone figure out which is the best? We’ve concluded that our top 3 choices are Apple Maps vs. Google Maps vs. Waze. Apple CarPlay® is available in so many brand-new cars that it may seem like the leader, but Google Maps and Waze have their own unique advantages as well.

Google Maps

Google Maps is the most robust navigation app in this comparison since all of the info comes from the Google search engine.

Advantages

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

• Updates in real-time – See how much time that traffic jam is going to add to your trip.

• Street View, a Google Exclusive – View real pictures of your map location.

• Available offline – Download your map. No cell reception, no problem.


Apple Maps

Apple Maps could be the easiest NAV app to use, thanks to CarPlay® integration with many new cars. ​Apple Maps has one disadvantage, you need an iOS device to use it.

Apple Maps Advantages

• Apple Pit Stops – Find attractions and nearby fuel stations.
• Several different options for NAV – Get map options for public transportation, driving, and even walking routes.
• Look Around – See both images and a map of your location. Very helpful if you are lost.

Waze

Despite other NAV applications now feature some sort of crowd-sourced traffic information, Waze was the first to really use the tech too.

Waze Advantages

• Facebook integration – Post your location and share your road trip with friends.
• Not only directions – Get real-time information about detours, accidents, and speed traps.
• Updates as they happen – User update info while they drive, that information is used to figure out the fastest route based on current conditions.

The Winner

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