Waze, Apple Maps or Google Maps - Which is the Best Navigation App?

Top GPS Applications

Discover the top GPS applications.

If you're a driver of a certain age you may recall the days of watching the odometer like a hawk to track the miles until the next exit, an emergency road atlas, and directions that were printed out to help guide you. These days, digital NAV is optional on nearly every cell phone and car. While most navigation applications produce the same kind of info, how and what information they present can be very different. With so many choices, how can you figure out which is the best NAV service for you? We've concluded that our top 3 suggestions are Google Maps vs. Waze vs. Apple Maps. CarPlay® may seem like the leader because it is available in so many brand-new cars, but Google Maps and Waze have their own unique benefits.

Google Maps

The most robust navigation app in this comparison is Google Maps as all of the data comes from the massive Google search engine.

Google Maps Benefits

Available offline - No cellphone service, no worries. Download your map. 
Street View, a Google Exclusive - View actual images of your location. 
Real-time traffic updates - See how much time that traffic jam is going to add to your trip. 
Not only for vehicles - If you want to bike, take a train, or just take a walk then Google Maps can handle it.

Apple Maps

Thanks to the CarPlay® integration with many brand-new cars, Apple Maps might be the easiest NAV app to use available today. Apple Maps has one minor issue, it is only found on iOS devices.

Advantages of Apple Maps

Pit Stops from Apple - Find different attractions and nearby fuel stations.
Several unique options for Navigation - Get map options for walking and public transportation, along with standard driving routes.
Look Around presented by Apple - See both images and a map of your area. This feature can be very helpful if you are lost.

Waze

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

Waze Biggest Benefits

More than just directions - Get data about road closures, accidents, and even speed traps.
Facebook integration - Share your road trip by posting your location on your timeline.
Updates in real-time - Waze users update info as they drive, that info is then used to update the route to give the quickest way 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 Navigation App depends on how you use it. If you get lost a lot, the Look Around option on Apple Maps is beneficial. If you use NAV to follow your next big cycling road trip, then Google Maps is your best choice. However, if you just want to get to your destination in the fastest time possible, Waze is your only choice. Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Waze all have unique features and you really can not go wrong with any of them.

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