While there are many navigation apps out there, Waze and Google Maps are two of the most popular. Oddly enough, both are owned by Google. In this article, we’ll dive into some key similarities and differences to help you decide between Waze vs. Google Maps.
Google Maps vs Waze! (Which One Should You Use?)
It’s clear that Waze and Google Maps are similar: they both offer turn-by-turn directions. But when you dig a little deeper, the differences become clear.
Waze is designed for car, truck, and motorcycle drivers only. It uses crowdsourced data from other nearby drivers to provide real-time updates on traffic conditions and suggest alternate routes. This often means lots of turns and side streets, but also often getting to your destination a few minutes faster. Getting data from nearby drivers has its limitations, as does the app when it comes to more specialized features.
Google Maps, on the other hand, is an all-encompassing navigation tool that provides directions for cars and trucks, bicycles, walking, and public transit. The directions are less responsive to changing conditions and are not crowdsourced, but they are reliable and immediate. For power users, Google Maps offers a wealth of features.
