When it comes to Google Maps vs Waze, it's not easy deciding which app to use to help you get around. Both services are incredibly similar, even down to their parent company: Google. So how do you decide which one to use?
Despite their growing similarity, Waze and Google Maps offer different things. Google Maps may have the name recognition and range, but Waze has a loyal following of drivers who trust its method to get them quickly from A to B.
Saying which service is better is not an easy question to answer, due to how subtle the differences between them actually are. So if you throw both apps into the ring and have an all out Google Maps vs Waze fight, which service stands out?
Both apps are available on iOS and Android devices and are compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. So no matter what device you use or what car you drive, you have the option of using both.
There are even versions available in desktop browsers, though they're limited by the fact that you can't get any live navigation that way. Still, you can look up addresses, locations, and save things to your account, which you can pick up on your phone later.
Waze can be linked to the car's operating system.Google Maps vs. Waze: Navigation
In essence, both Google Maps and Waze will take you where you want to go. That being said, even though they are both operated by Google, they are quite different. To the point where the "winner" depends entirely on how you move.
Google Maps is your traditional navigation app. Mark a location and you'll find a way to get you there, however you plan to do it. You can walk, drive, bike, or take the bus, and Google Maps has something to offer. Google can even alert you to obstacles or traffic on the way and give you the option to take a different route.
Waze is designed exclusively for car and motorcycle users. Instead of finding the fastest way to your destination and leaving you there, Waze always analyzes the conditions to try to get you there as quickly as possible.
Both services can determine traffic conditions based on the number of users on the road, but Waze actually does something about it. Google Maps will mark traffic or obstacles it knows about on the screen, just like Waze, but the difference is that Google will happily send you down the same preset route regardless of how things change. He may ask if you'd like to take an alternate route depending on how bad the traffic is, but he's not particularly pushy about it.
But earlier this year, Google Maps changed the way it calculated your routes. The service now uses a number of factors, including real-time traffic conditions and the number of traffic lights, to make the proposed route safer and greener. That way, you save fuel and are less likely to have an accident. Google Maps started showing you exactly how much a particular route will cost, should you go through tolls. A feature it pulled from Waze.
Google Maps vs. Waze Navigation Comparisons
Waze is about one thing, and one thing only: minimizing your time on the road and getting you to your destination as quickly as possible. Therefore, it doesn't ask for permission to alter your route mid-journey and automatically offers directions that allow you to avoid obstacles that have appeared.
All in the name of getting you somewhere in the shortest possible time. For that reason, Waze users often find that they are sent to very random places, as the app works to get them where they need to go.
The downside of Waze's system is that it depends on other active users on the road. So if you're the only Waze user for hundreds of miles, the app has no idea what's going on ahead.
Thankfully, both services let you save maps offline for later use, though Google Maps is more direct about it. The offline mapping feature of Google Maps allows you to select an area on the map and download all the data available on it. Previously, you could save individual routes, although this doesn't seem to be the case anymore.
Waze doesn't have either option, but saving a route to your favorites caches the relevant information so you can use it offline. But because Waze relies on live data, if you lose mobile phone service, you won't get up-to-date information about what's happening on the roads. Basically, you lose the part of Waze that makes it special.
When it comes to driving, the two services are virtually identical, but Waze's unique way of navigating delays makes it an invaluable tool for motorists. As long as you're happy to take strange routes, Waze is the way to go.
Google Maps surpasses Waze in public passenger transport.Google Maps vs Waze: public and alternative transport
This is an easy decision to make. If you are traveling by public transport or other alternative means of transport, Waze has absolutely nothing to offer. literally nothing. Waze's goal is to redirect you as a driver whenever it sees a faster route around obstacles, but you obviously don't have that luxury on public transportation because you're not the one driving. Then you will have to use Google Maps.
Google Maps has support for public transportation, walking, and biking. Trying to use Waze would just send you down whatever route above, as a car can get there, which isn't always a particularly safe idea.
Google Maps is packed with information about public transportation. For starters, it includes complete schedules and maps for transit services around the world, and you can integrate them into your directions without hesitation. It also has real-time updates on delays and other issues you may face on your trip, so you are at least aware of issues ahead of time.
Google Maps can also estimate how busy a particular service will be, using a combination of historical data, and how many people you can see there at any given time. It even integrates with local ride-sharing services and, when available, electric bike and scooter rentals. Waze can't compete with all of that, but more could be done when it comes to alternative transportation. Especially in areas where those rental services are available.
Google Maps vs Waze: Interface and Design
Despite being from the same company and doing similar things, Google Maps and Waze look completely different. While Google Maps has the look of a more traditional app with all the on-screen information it provides, Waze takes a much simpler approach with less detail and a cartoonish design.
That difference comes from the fact that these two apps are designed for totally different things. Waze is a tool to help motorists get from A to B while avoiding traffic and road hazards, but nothing more. Google Maps is useful for just about everything, whether it's for navigation, discovering new things, or even chatting with businesses.
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However, when it comes to browsing, the two apps look functionally identical. The apps cut out all the unnecessary clutter and only show you what you need to know. That includes your icon, where you need to go, plus additional information like speed limits and road hazards on your way.
Waze only shows you what you need to see. It doesn't matter if you're actively getting directions or just looking at the map, everything is nice and clean. While the additional information on Google Maps has its uses, it tends to clutter up your view. And frankly, it tends to feel like a mess at times, especially if you're in a big city.
Waze in a Chevrolet Onyx.Google Maps vs. Waze: Advertising
Both Google Maps and Waze have advertising, although each differs in how they handle the type of paid content you actually see. As a general rule, Google Maps is pretty subtle about its advertising, though more recently it has made changes to make ads more distinguishable on the map. A good example is using a square icon, instead of a circular one, for a business or location that gets paid to be there.
Waze, meanwhile, is very in-your-face and can display distracting banner ads every time you stop moving. The ads disappear when you start moving again, so you don't have to worry about dismissing them all the time.
But they're still big and very noticeable, especially if your phone's screen is smaller in size. Waze could use toning it down a bit, because if it needs to display ads, the least it could do is try to make them less intrusive.
Google Maps vs. Waze: Data
Google Maps and Waze rely heavily on data, but Waze mostly. That's because the entire operation of Waze is based on information submitted by the user. A lot of it is collected automatically, simply by the fact that you're driving with the app open. Users can also submit reports about any obstacles or hazards that may impede other drivers.
Analysis of all that information paints a picture of what is happening on the roads and can be used to direct or redirect users when necessary. It also helps Waze's algorithms to improve the service and its maps.
Google Maps can also see a picture of road conditions, but its system relies on more information. It uses historical data to guess what conditions will be like at a given time of day, but you can also get real-time information from traffic sensors and Google Maps users. The systems have similarities, although Google Maps can use much more information than Waze. For that reason, it doesn't matter if you stray into an area with few Google Maps users. The app will be able to see what is happening based on other factors and keep you informed.
Of course, Google Maps and Waze use your data very differently. While Waze will actively redirect your journey based on the data it receives, it's a feature that hasn't ported over to Google Maps yet, even though both services are owned and operated by Google.
You can keep an eye on upcoming road conditions by paying attention to what Google Maps has on the screen, but it's up to you to select those alternate routes if they're ever available. Google Maps won't automatically send you down a different path the way Waze does.
But years of data collection and analysis have many advantages. Google Maps knows how many people are using particular routes at any given time of day, and even in areas where people typically exceed the speed limit.
Unless there are external factors getting in the way after you've already gone live, Google Maps always has a pretty good idea of which route you should take and how long it will take you to get to your destination. While Waze has a lot going for it, that lack of historical data and traffic sensors doesn't work in its favor.
Google Maps vs Waze: Discovery
Although Waze is primarily a navigation app, it has surprisingly strong discovery features that match those found in Google Maps. Both apps have a number of similar features that help you find important businesses and locations in the area around you.
They include a search bar and specialized buttons that eliminate most of the intermediate steps and show you what's what. Whether you're looking for a gas station or a grocery store, it has the tools to quickly find and get you there.
But, as is often the case, Google Maps tries to offer you more. It has a greater number of specialized buttons. So if you need sporting goods or an electronics store, the Google Maps list of discovery buttons has something. Waze, on the other hand, keeps it simple.
It could easily be argued that less is more when it comes to finding things, especially when you can always use the search bar to do roughly the same job. However, Waze's location cards don't have as much information as Google Maps.
Google Maps vs Waze: Traffic and Hazards
In the past, monitoring traffic and road hazards was in Waze, but Google Maps has caught up. Right now, the two are functionally the same in all but a few minor areas. Waze is very aggressive in avoiding obstacles that other users have reported.
To the point where you might find yourself driving down strange winding streets just to shave seconds off your commute. You have to admire his dedication. Google Maps still doesn't go to these extremes, which is fine. While Google Maps and Waze allow you to report those hazards as you find them, they don't always match up, especially if you're using Google Maps. Waze has the advantage due to the fact that its user base is not that passive.
Google Maps vs Waze: Hands-Free Control
Both Google Maps and Waze operate their hands-free controls in the same way. Your options are to tap the onscreen microphone every time you want to say a command, or trust the Google Assistant's "Hey Google" feature to do it for you.
If you're on Android, that's easy, because the Google Assistant is already installed. iPhone users need to follow some additional steps. Siri will send commands to both apps, but will also use Apple Maps by default if you don't specify it.
So I asked "how to get home with Waze" and not just "how to get home". Alternatively, you can tap the onscreen microphone to toggle voice command mode, or download the Google Assistant to do it all for you.
There doesn't seem to be any difference between the two apps in terms of commands, and you can use an assistant to navigate to new locations, alter your current route, see what's ahead, what the traffic is like, etc. You can even use voice commands to report road hazards, traffic, and other issues you encounter on your journeys. These features are also available on iOS if you have the app installed. So no matter which option you choose or which device you use, your experience should be virtually identical.
Google Maps vs Waze: Personalization
Waze has many customization options, particularly in the voice section. While Google typically only has one voice option per country or region, Waze has several. Celebrity voices are also available, but they are usually there for promotional purposes and are not permanent additions to the app. Also, if you refuse to take orders from a random robot, Waze will let you record your own voice to use instead.
Waze will also let you choose one of ten vehicle icons that display on screen when you're browsing, including a Formula One racing car, motorcycle, or the boring old arrow. Also, you can change your "mood", which essentially allows you to customize the avatar that other people will see on their own maps. Drive enough or contribute enough to the Waze dataset and you can unlock a special mood that features a golden crown.
Google Maps lets you change your on-screen icon to one of three cars if you want, and you can change the voice to a different language or region. But that's about all it has in terms of actual customization options. But if you feel like driving with a friendly robot that tells you where to go, then that's an option for you.
Personalization is a very small part of what both apps can do, but if you want to express yourself better through your navigation app, Waze is the way to go. Similarly, Waze is the best option if you want to mix things up and change the boring default voice.
Google Maps has adapted to the times of the pandemic.Conclusions
There is no denying the fact that Google Maps is the most complete navigation service. Not only does it offer a considerable amount more than Waze, it is more detailed and has many more resources at your disposal. More specifically, no matter how you choose to get around, Google Maps has the tools to help you do it.
Waze is very limited by comparison, only offering navigation for drivers. And yet, it's able to offer a service that Google Maps can't match, which is pretty strange considering how long it's been a part of the Google family. Because? It's not entirely clear what Google has to gain by keeping both services active and not offering Waze's breakout feature as part of Google Maps. But that's the way things are.
If you're a driver who wants to get to your destination as quickly as possible and you don't care how you get there, you'll want to use Waze. Google Maps may be able to see and anticipate road conditions, but it's not quite as proactive about sending you down a different route when the going gets rough.
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But if you are not driving a car or motorcycle, Waze is completely useless. It has a very narrow use case, which is a gap that Google Maps fills very easily. So in many cases, Google Maps isn't just the winner, it's your only option.
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