Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Google Maps Navigation VS Waze

Compare Google Maps Navigation VS Waze and see what are their differences

Google Maps Navigation logo Google Maps Navigation

Google Maps Navigation is an internet-connected GPS navigation system with voice guidance.

Waze logo Waze

Waze is the world's largest community-based traffic and navigation app. Join other drivers in your area who share real-time traffic and road info, saving everyone time and gas money on their daily commute.
  • Google Maps Navigation Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-04-22
  • Waze
    Image date //
    2024-01-08

Google Maps Navigation features and specs

No features have been listed yet.

Waze features and specs

  • Real-Time Traffic Updates
    Waze utilizes data from other users to provide real-time updates about traffic conditions, accidents, and hazards, allowing users to choose the quickest route.
  • Community-Based Reporting
    The app thrives on user-generated reports, making the information particularly accurate and timely. Users can report accidents, police traps, road closures, and other events.
  • Frequent Map Updates
    Because Waze relies on community input, maps are updated more frequently than some other navigation apps, keeping information accurate and current.
  • Customization and Gamification
    Waze offers a gamified experience and several customization options, including mood icons, which make navigation more engaging.
  • Voice Commands
    Users can use voice commands to interact with the app, making it easier and safer to use while driving.
  • Gas Price Updates
    The app shows current gas prices and can direct users to the nearest or cheapest gas stations, helping save money.

Possible disadvantages of Waze

  • Battery Consumption
    The app's constant updates and GPS usage can drain your smartphone battery quickly.
  • Data Usage
    Real-time updates require a constant data connection, which can be costly and problematic in areas with poor cellular coverage.
  • Distractions
    The frequent notifications and updates can be distracting for drivers, possibly leading to unsafe driving conditions.
  • Privacy Concerns
    Since Waze collects a lot of real-time data about user locations and movements, there are potential privacy implications.
  • Ad Insertion
    The app displays ads, which can be intrusive and annoying for some users.
  • Learning Curve
    New users may find the plethora of features and user interface somewhat overwhelming at first.

Google Maps Navigation videos

No Google Maps Navigation videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Waze videos

5 reasons you'll use Waze over Google Maps

More videos:

  • Review - Waze App Review | 3 Reason why to use Waze
  • Review - Waze App Review(In Depth)

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Google Maps Navigation and Waze)
Maps
9 9%
91% 91
Web Mapping
11 11%
89% 89
Travel & Location
14 14%
86% 86
Driving Navigation
16 16%
84% 84

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Google Maps Navigation and Waze

Google Maps Navigation Reviews

We have no reviews of Google Maps Navigation yet.
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Waze Reviews

The Best Travel Apps for 2025
While Google Maps tells you about officially reported problems on the road and whether there's traffic, Waze knows the nitty-gritty details, like the location of police traps and potholes. This free community-driven app for traffic and road conditions is popular among taxi and car service drivers, although it's equally useful for everyday drivers. Waze can also tell you the...
Source: www.pcmag.com
7 Alternatives to Google Maps for Navigation
Actually, Google now owns Waze. But it’s still an alternative! The key to Waze is that it’s a crowdsourcing app. Users can report accidents, traffic jams, speed traps, and other hazards. Then, their reports are shared with other drivers in the area.
Going Beyond: The Best Alternatives to Google Maps in 2024
This allows you to avoid traffic jams and get to your destination faster. In addition, Waze offers features such as speed camera alerts and gas stations with the lowest prices, making it a handy app for drivers. Due to its considerable popularity, Waze was purchased by Google in 2013. However, it is still a standalone app, not part of Google Maps.
Source: stratoflow.com
Top 15 Google Maps Alternatives (2024 Edition)
Waze is another popular free Google Maps alternative. You will get the best directions to work from Waze, as it relies on crowdsourcing to warn you about traffic, police, and hazards.
9 Google Maps Alternatives to Use in 2022
Waze is a crowd-funded map service for desktop, Android, and iOS devices. The intuitive and highly interactive system also allows you to alert your fellow drivers about the traffic changes, speed cams, congestion, and hazards on the road. Due to its immense popularity, Wave was purchased by Google in 2013 and still exists as a stand-alone application and not a part of Google...
Source: geekflare.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Waze seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 12 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Google Maps Navigation mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Google Maps Navigation yet. Tracking of Google Maps Navigation recommendations started around Mar 2021.

Waze mentions (12)

  • Best app, like, ever?
    Waze (Free) - Would have said Google Maps but Waze helps me get places AND tells me where speed cameras are. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Is someone using my API key or am I being stupid?
    Had the exact same thing happen to me, including waze.com as referring domain and same billables. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Alexandria to Chantilly
    I would suggest using waze.com from wherever you currently are over the next few days. At the time you expect you would actually leave Alexandria for Chantilly, use waze.com's "Live Map" feature to see the route. It will show you a remarkably accurate estimate of the best route and the time it will take. It will also show you a couple of alternatives. Source: over 2 years ago
  • How is the commute from Ashburn to Arlington?
    If you want to get pretty accurate actual times for your commute, after next Tuesday (when traffic is getting back to normal levels after the holidays), use waze.com AT THE TIME you would commute to view their "live map" of the trip. It will show you a pretty accurate estimate of the time it would take right then. Source: over 2 years ago
  • There is a water main break on Belair Rd
    We are updating Waze with live closures and detours. Source: over 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Google Maps Navigation and Waze, you can also consider the following products

iGO My Way - Unlock your inner explorer! Download the iGO Navigation app, hit the road, and start your adventure!

Google Maps - Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

HERE WeGo - HERE WeGo - Maps - Routes - Directions - All ways from A to B in one

MAPS.ME - Fast, detailed and completely offline maps for mobile devices

TomTom GO Mobile - The new TomTom GO Mobile app is a sleek combination of the latest TomTom car navigation technology and world-class traffic information. Discover now.

OsmAnd - Global mobile map viewing and navigation for online and offline OSM maps