Should I Choose Apple Maps, Waze, or Google Maps?

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Depending on your age, you probably remember a time when you used printed directions, watching the odometer to track the miles until your next turn off, and an emergency road atlas to help guide you on long drives. These days, electronic navigation is an option on nearly every new vehicle and mobile phone. While all NAV apps give the same basic information, what and how the information is displayed can vary greatly. With so many unique choices available to select from, how can you figure out which is the best? We’ve narrowed it down to our top 3 suggestions, Google Maps vs. Waze vs. Apple Maps. Apple CarPlay® may appear to be the frontrunner because it is available in so many new vehicles, but Google Maps and Waze have their own unique built-in benefits as well.

Google Maps

Google Maps is the most powerful map app in this comparison because all of the data is provided by the massive Google search engine.

Advantages

• Instant traffic updates – See how much time that traffic jam is going to add to your trip.
• Vehicles are just the beginning – Google Maps can help you on your next train ride, exercise walk, or bike ride.
• Street View, a Google Exclusive – See actual pictures of your desired location on the map.
• Available offline – No cell service, no worries. Download your map.

Apple Maps

Thanks to the CarPlay® integration with many new vehicles, Apple Maps might be the most used NAV app on the market. ​The one disadvantage of Apple Maps is that drivers need an iOS device to use it.

The Advantages of Apple Maps

• Pit Stops by Apple – Find attractions and gas stations that are nearby.
• NAV options – Get map options for driving, walking, and public transportation.
• Look Around – See both a map of your location and images. This feature can be very helpful if you get lost.

Waze

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

Waze Advantages

• Get more than directions – Get info about detours, accidents, and even police alerts.
• Facebook integration – Update your timeline with your location and share your road trip with friends.
• Real-time information – Waze users update info as they drive, that info is then used to update your route to give the fastest route based on road conditions.

The Winner is:

It shouldn’t be a shock, but the best NAV Application depends on what drivers need. If you happen to get lost easily, the Look Around option on Apple Maps can help. If you use Navigation to follow your next cycling trip, then Google Maps has you covered. However, if you just want to get from Point A to Point B in the shortest time, Waze is your only choice. Apple Maps, Waze, and Google Maps all have unique standout features and you truly can not go wrong, no matter which one you pick.