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pgRouting VS Google Maps

Compare pgRouting VS Google Maps and see what are their differences

pgRouting logo pgRouting

Repository contains pgRouting library. Development branch is "develop", stable branch is "master" - pgRouting/pgrouting

Google Maps logo Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.
  • pgRouting Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-02
  • Google Maps
    Image date //
    2024-01-08

pgRouting features and specs

  • Open Source
    pgRouting is open-source, meaning it is free to use and can be modified to fit specific needs without licensing costs.
  • Integration with PostGIS
    It integrates seamlessly with PostGIS, allowing the use of spatial extensions in PostgreSQL to manage geographic objects and perform spatial queries.
  • Wide Range of Algorithms
    Provides a wide range of routing algorithms, such as shortest path, traveling salesman, and vehicle routing, offering flexibility in planning and computing routes.
  • Community Support
    Has a strong community supporting it, contributing to development, documentation, and troubleshooting, which enhances its reliability and feature set.
  • Customizable and Scalable
    Highly customizable and scalable for enterprises, allowing integration and expansion according to specific business needs and large-scale datasets.

Possible disadvantages of pgRouting

  • Complex Setup
    The initial setup and configuration can be complex for beginners, requiring knowledge of PostgreSQL, PostGIS, and SQL to optimize effectively.
  • Performance on Very Large Data
    May not perform as well as some specialized proprietary systems when dealing with exceptionally large datasets, potentially impacting speed and efficiency.
  • Limited GUI
    Lacks a dedicated graphical user interface, which can make it less user-friendly for those who prefer visual tools over command-line operations.
  • Learning Curve
    Has a steep learning curve for those unfamiliar with database management and spatial data processing, potentially requiring significant time to master.

Google Maps features and specs

  • Detailed Information
    Google Maps provides extensive details about locations, including photos, reviews, operating hours, and contact information.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The platform boasts an intuitive design that is easy to navigate for both casual users and professionals.
  • Real-Time Updates
    Offers real-time traffic updates, accident reports, and road closures to help users avoid delays.
  • Multi-modal Directions
    Supports directions for driving, walking, cycling, and public transportation, offering flexibility for different commuting needs.
  • Street View
    Provides 360-degree panoramic views of streets, enabling users to virtually explore neighborhoods before visiting.
  • Offline Maps
    Allows users to download maps for offline use, which is useful in areas with poor or no internet connectivity.
  • Integration with Other Services
    Easily integrates with other Google services like Google Calendar, making it convenient to plan trips and appointments.

Possible disadvantages of Google Maps

  • Privacy Concerns
    The service collects extensive user data, raising privacy issues regarding how this information is used and shared.
  • Battery Consumption
    Real-time features and GPS usage can significantly drain the battery life of mobile devices.
  • Inaccuracies
    Despite frequent updates, some information may be outdated or inaccurate, such as business hours or road conditions.
  • Data Usage
    Uses a considerable amount of data, which can be problematic for users with limited data plans.
  • Overreliance
    Users may become overly dependent on the service for navigation, potentially reducing their ability to navigate without digital assistance.
  • Ad Integration
    Contains sponsored content and ads, which can sometimes disrupt the user experience.
  • Complexity
    Additional features and layers of information can make it overwhelming for users who just need basic navigation.

Analysis of Google Maps

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Google Maps is widely regarded as a good and effective tool for navigation and location-based services.

Why this product is good

  • Google Maps is considered to be a highly reliable and comprehensive mapping service due to its extensive database, regular updates, user-friendly interface, and integration with other Google services. It offers real-time traffic updates, various map views, and detailed directions for driving, walking, biking, and public transportation.

Recommended for

  • Individuals seeking reliable directions and navigation.
  • Users needing real-time traffic and transit updates.
  • Travelers looking for local business information and reviews.
  • Anyone requiring integration with other Google services like Calendar or Contacts.

pgRouting videos

pgRouting - Video of Manual "aStarCost many-to-one"

More videos:

  • Review - Open Source Street Routing With PgRouting For Local Government - Dynamic Data and Performance
  • Review - QGIS UK - Indoor routing with QGIS and pgRouting - Tim Manners, OS

Google Maps videos

New Apple Maps Features That Beat Google Maps!

More videos:

  • Review - Unhelpful Google Maps Reviews - Sub Safari
  • Review - Epic Google Maps Reviews by Local Guides | The Review Review Episode 3

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to pgRouting and Google Maps)
Operating Systems
100 100%
0% 0
Maps
1 1%
99% 99
Linux
100 100%
0% 0
Web Mapping
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

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

pgRouting Reviews

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Google Maps Reviews

Best Tools for Planning a Vacation to Ireland in 2025
Google Maps has been a popular navigation assistant for many years and offers not just driving directions but help finding local restaurants, accommodation and more.
8 Best Alternatives to Google Travel Trip Summaries
If you appreciated the ability to sync Google Trip Summaries with Google Maps, the closing of Trip Summaries doesn’t mean you can no longer sync itineraries to Google Maps. Wanderlog allows you to export any itinerary you create within the app to Google Maps, allowing you to see the location of every attraction you want to visit and gain information on how to travel between...
Source: wanderlog.com
The 8 Best Bike Navigation Apps Ridden & Rated
UX-wise, we’ve given Google Maps a near-perfect nine. The clutter-free layout and recognisable graphics. How would they score a ten? We’d love Google Maps to expand its immersive view (a flyby 3D model of a given route) beyond major cities like London.
Source: loop.cc
The Best Travel Apps for 2025
My number one go-to travel app is Google Maps. On the ground, it shows you where you are and how to get to where you need to go, whether by foot, public transit, car, or bicycle. Google Maps is equally helpful when you want to explore what's around, including hotels, restaurants, and gas stations. Often, the listing for sites and businesses include hours of operation,...
Source: www.pcmag.com
7 Alternatives to Google Maps for Navigation
Google Maps is often the go-to navigation app for many of us. But what if you’re looking for something a little different? There are many alternatives to Google Maps that provide similar features and functions.

What are some alternatives?

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

OSRM - Utilities, Application Utilities, and Mapping APIs

Mapbox - An open source mapping platform for custom designed maps. Our APIs and SDKs are the building blocks to integrate location into any mobile or web app.

OPNsense - OPNsense® you next open source firewall. Free Download. High-end Security Made Easy™. Offers Intrusion Prevention, Captive Portal, Traffic Shaping and more.

OpenStreetMap - OpenStreetMap is a map of the world, created by people like you and free to use under an open license.

VyOS - VyOS in an open source Linux-based operating system sold and distributed by Sentrium corporations. It is geared toward IT specialists and network administrators for the purpose of securing network and company data... read more.

OSGeo - QGIS is a desktop geographic information system, or GIS.