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

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The Top GPS Application for your Vehicle

Learn more about the top GPS application for your vehicle.

If you’re a driver of a certain age you may remember a backup road atlas, printed directions, and the days of patiently watching the odometer to track the miles until the next exit to help guide you. Now, electronic navigation is an option on almost every single vehicle and mobile phone. While nearly all NAV apps give the same kind of info, how and what information they present can be very different. With so many different apps available to select from, how can you figure out which one is the best NAV service for you? We’ve narrowed it down to our top 3 suggestions, Apple Maps vs. Google Maps vs. Waze. CarPlay® may feel like the leader because it is an option in so many new vehicles, but Google Maps and Waze have their own built-in benefits.

Google Maps

The most powerful map application in this comparison is Google Maps as all of the data comes from the massive Google search engine.

The Advantages

• Instant traffic updates – See how much time that traffic jam is going to add to your trip.
• More than cars – If you want to walk, bike, or take a train then Google Maps is ready.
• Street View, a Google Exclusive – View real pictures of your location.
• Available offline – No cellphone service, no problem. Download your map.

Apple

Thanks to the CarPlay® integration with many new vehicles, Apple Maps could be the most used navigation app available today. ​The one minor flaw of Apple Maps is that it is only available on iOS devices.

The Biggest Benefits of Apple Maps

• Look Around – See both a map view of your location and images of the area. This feature can be very helpful if you are lost.
• Apple Pit Stops – Find fuel stations that are close and other different attractions.
• Several options for Navigation – Get maps for public transportation, driving, and even walking.

Waze

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

The Biggest Benefits

• Integration with Facebook – Share your road trip by posting your location on your timeline.
• Not only directions – Receive real-time information about construction, roadside incidents, and even police alerts.
• Real-time traffic info – Other drivers update information as they drive, which is then used to calculate the fastest way to your destination.

The Winner is:

It shouldn’t be a surprise, but the best Navigation Application really depends on what drivers need. If you get lost a lot, the Look Around option on Apple Maps will be helpful. If you use Navigation for your next cycling trip, then Google Maps has you covered. However, if you just want to get to your destination in the fastest time, Waze is your choice. Waze, Google Maps, and Apple Maps all have unique standout features and you can not go wrong with any of them.