How Google Maps is different from Waze and Apple Maps and which alternative is easier to use

This old dilemma concerning which map application to use on iPhone I may never have an absolute answer. Ultimately, it depends on many factors and everyone’s personal preferences. It is therefore essential to see the similarities and, above all, the main differences.

Based on what our user experiences already offer, we feature the native application already present on any iPhone, Apple Maps (or simply ‘Maps’), on the other hand the ultimate maps application with Google Maps and so Waze valued like a GPS. We already told you no one is better than the other in everythingbut they stand out in different ways.

Map interface and application objectives

Let’s be real, we’re actually comparing two map apps (Google Maps and Apple Maps) with an app that, although the map is its epicenter, is not so focused on it (Waze). Because while Those of Google and Apple stand out for the fact that they offer something more than a GPS application, this is the strong and almost unique point of Wazean application which also belongs to Google since they bought it in 2013.

To be clear, it must be said that the origin of the data of each card is different. Apple Maps relies on data that Apple itself took, while Google Maps and Waze take Google’s data, although their interface is different.

Because this is where we find another fundamental difference between these three. Waze is the most minimalist focusing only on driving and not prioritizing providing different aerial views. And it is precisely Google Maps and Apple Maps have different map views. In the case of Google, the standard map view (the usual one), one with satellite and another in relief. Apple offers similar options, although one more geared towards public transportation, another for traveling by car, and another for exploring freely (in addition to the satellite view).

Google Maps recently changed its interface to better differentiate the different elements of a card: buildings, public pedestrian roads, roads, motorways, national roads, etc. Apple Maps, but with different colors too. In Waze, as we have already indicated, everything is more minimalist.

It must also be said that when we are on a route, whether on foot, by car or by other means, all three also change their interface. They “lower the camera” so to speak and what we get is a less top-down and more first-person view with our location icon still in the center.

Another key difference between these is the 360º view at street level. What is commonly called “Street View” precisely because of the name it receives in Google Maps and which Apple Maps also has, but not Waze. Apple’s app has made a lot of progress in this regard, although Google is still ahead in showing many more places around the world (especially in smaller cities).

Another element to take into account which can give a plus to Google’s “Street View” is that allows you to see a view from previous yearsallowing us to take a sort of time travel and discover what a certain place looked like in different eras, from 2008 to today.

Choice of routes and real-time information

The fact that in all three applications we can set a location and start a car trip is already taken for granted. However, In the case of Waze we can only get directions to travel by car. And it’s an elementary difference that can make us prefer one or the other of the other two for more circumstances.

In Google Maps and Apple Maps you can also configure walking, public transport and even cycling routes. In each case, it not only adapts to the traffic rules specific to each case, but is also able to adapt to the route in question to offer different options.

And that’s another one, be able to choose a route based on our preferences, being able to choose the fastest or shortest route, which is not always the same. Also give priority to or avoid highways, overtake or avoid tolls and ferries. It’s in the three applications present when traveling by car. Regarding Google Maps, we can find a new option in others, such as obtaining the most ecological routes, which serve not only to pollute less, but also to consume less fuel.

Another important element is the notice of works, traffic jams and other elements on the road. While it’s true that all three use real-time data from other users to determine traffic jams and report them, they also allow users to report them. Although yes, Waze and Google Maps (in that order) are above Google in terms of reliability in this sense. What all three also share is that in these circumstances they offer alternative routes.

Finally, radar warnings. All three rely on the DGT database with the position of fixed speed cameras, but Waze is ahead by also relying on information on other types of controls provided by the user community itself. In any case, Google Maps is not bad with its audio and visual warnings, the latter also available before arriving on site, which in Apple Maps only warns of speed cameras when we are nearby.

Other differences to consider

• Information on the sites (restaurants, parks, museums, etc.): Knowing the opening hours of a place or its telephone number is something found in all three. However, Google Maps trumps the other two because it generally offers more current and comprehensive information, even adding data such as hourly traffic. Apple Maps and Waze also provide interesting data like whether there are restrooms available, although in general they tend to have much less information than the others, especially if they are not places very busy.
• Comments: Even if this element would be part of the information present on the sites, it deserves a separate section. Once again, Google Maps wins by a wide margin, offering the most complete review system, since Apple Maps relies on reviews from sites like TripAdvisor and you can’t always see them all without leaving the application. Waze does not have this system directly.
• Use without Internet connection: Google Maps and Apple Maps allow you to download maps and then use them when we don’t have an Internet connection or we simply don’t want to consume data. Waze requires us to connect to the Internet to at least establish a route, and then it stops requiring a connection. Of course, in all three cases, we will lose information about the real-time traffic situation, as well as updated data about public places if we do not frequently update the downloaded maps.
• Use in car with CarPlay: There’s a technical connection here, as all three are available for use in Apple CarPlay with the car’s screen. There’s a different interface, of course, but ultimately they do the job of guiding us on a path. It must be said that if you use Android, Apple’s is not available for Android Auto (in fact, Apple Maps is not offered on non-Apple devices).

• Community Involvement: Apple Maps is very closed to obtaining information from sources other than users, in Google Maps you can report traffic jams and other elements, although it is Waze which ultimately has a more participatory interface and a very active community. You can report anything on the road or leave written notes. They even allow you to find other Waze users in real time.
• Battery consumption on iPhone: Depending on the area, using GPS may consume more or less battery. If we use it offline, much less, but if we are connected it will depend on the signal transmitters to which the iPhone is connected at any time, which can cause significant battery consumption. For better or worse, all three applications have similar consumption, so it is not decisive to opt for one or the other on this basis.

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