It’s safe to say that Google Maps and Waze are currently the most popular navigation apps in the world. Google Maps comes preloaded on Android, the world’s leading operating system. But it is also the main alternative to Apple Maps, the iPhones’ native map service. Waze can be downloaded from the app stores on both platforms. Google Maps and Waze have the same owner but have adopted different directions that allow them to target different audiences. So in Waze or Google Maps, there is one that is loved and the other hated!
Waze or Google Maps: one is being loved and the other hated!
Although they continue to feature navigation capabilities, Google Maps is more focused on its world exploration component. Also in the features that allow users to obtain information about companies, send reviews and contribute to the creation of a complete mapping service. Waze is all about navigating traffic, as its sole purpose is to get you from point A to point B as quickly as possible.
Google Maps or Waze continue to receive major updates, with new features added regularly. Google Maps recently received new capabilities in Android Automotive, including support for showing nearby compatible charging stations when it runs out of battery and a new color palette that has made the app more confusing, especially at night.
Waze’s latest update adds new warnings for speed bumps and sharp turns, improved roundabout navigation, and more information to help you drive to a destination more safely and conveniently.
The two applications continue to work independently.
But based on reviews posted on the Google Play Store, users are increasingly satisfied with Waze and disappointed with the Google Maps experience.
Google Maps has 17.8 million reviews and a 4-star rating, while Waze has 8.7 million reviews and a 4.5-star rating. Waze is better rated than Google Maps, despite the latter coming with all Android phones (hence the higher number of reviews).
However, opinions published on the Play Store show that not everyone likes the direction Google has taken for Google Maps. Some people still complain about the color theme introduced in fall 2023, but most messages point out errors that Google somehow can’t fix.
A user reveals that Google Maps has become less reliable after the latest updates, increasing the time it takes to travel, leading to unnecessary tolls and crashing in the middle of the trip. Others say that the keyboard doesn’t load when they try to search for an address, that the app doesn’t respond to touch and that sometimes it suggests detours that don’t make sense.
Not everyone hates Google Maps.
Some users remain satisfied with the application, but the number of negative reviews has increased significantly, hence the 4-star rating on the Play Store.
Waze appears to be a more stable and reliable navigation solution, based on reviews posted on the Play Store.
Users still complain about occasional bugs, especially in Android Auto, although the unpolished experience when connecting an Android phone to the head unit may not be Waze’s fault. Android Auto is often responsible for most of the errors that occur in the car.
Compared to Google Maps, Waze’s main selling point is a crowdsourcing engine. This allows users to pin hazards on the map. Waze supports a wide range of traffic hazards. These include accidents, potholes, broken traffic lights, vehicles stopped on the side of the road, blocked lanes and pedestrian collisions. When a user marks a hazard on the map, Waze uses the information to generate warnings shown to other users.
Most users who complain about errors on Waze criticize the experience with Android Auto.
Also the detours generated by the application when searching for routes. In my experience, Waze is better than Google Maps for finding faster routes. This is despite the fact that the advantage is normally reduced to two or three minutes, at best. Waze also offers more complex routes than Google Maps. All because it sends you on small, narrow roads to avoid traffic jams and slowdowns along the way.
Waze users complain about errors, such as the fact that dark mode no longer works on their phones. Also the loss of Internet connection (Waze only works online to download and upload data). The same with the fact that the app seems slow and provides delayed directions and the loss of favorite places. Some of these issues may be caused by GPS connection or device issues, so they may not be directly related to Waze.
At the end of the day, Waze isn’t better than Google Maps and Google Maps isn’t better than Waze. It depends on your expectations and what you need from a navigation application. As I mentioned earlier, the two applications have a different focus, so if you want an all-in-one solution, Google Maps is the right choice. Waze is the best option if you want an app exclusively focused on traffic and want to contribute to its crowdsourcing engine.
In both cases, some of the problems you encounter may not be caused by the applications, but by your phone, the GPS connection or Android Auto.
