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Waze VS Google Maps Go

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

Contents:
  1. » Base Details
  2. » Videos
  3. » Reviews
  4. » Alternatives

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 Go logo Google Maps Go

Designed to run smoothly on devices with limited memory and on unreliable networks
  • Waze
    Image date //
    2024-01-08
Not present

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 Go features and specs

  • Lightweight
    Google Maps Go is a lighter version of the regular Google Maps app, designed to use less storage and resources on devices.
  • Fast Performance
    It offers quick loading times and smooth performance, even on devices with low RAM and processors.
  • Data Efficiency
    Optimized for use on mobile networks with limited data, it consumes less mobile data compared to the standard app.
  • Accessibility
    Essential features such as location search, directions, and nearby places are accessible even on older or less powerful devices.
  • Compatibility
    Works well on Android devices that might not support the full version of Google Maps or other high-resource apps.

Possible disadvantages of Google Maps Go

  • Limited Features
    It lacks some advanced features available in the full version, such as offline maps, real-time traffic data integrations, or detailed navigation.
  • Web Interface Dependency
    Some functions rely on browser integration, meaning a consistent internet connection is needed for full functionality.
  • Reduced Detail
    Map details and visualizations may be simplified or not as comprehensive as in the standard Google Maps app.
  • No Offline Usage
    Unlike the full app, Google Maps Go does not support offline map downloads, which may limit usability in areas with poor connectivity.
  • Device Compatibility Constraints
    Although it's designed for low-spec devices, some features and functionalities may still vary based on device model and specifications.

Waze videos

+ Add

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)

Google Maps Go videos

+ Add

Google Maps Go 😗 | How it's important and excellent.

More videos:

  • Review - Google Maps Go | How lite is it?

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Waze and Google Maps Go)

Waze

Google Maps Go

Maps
80 80%
Maps
20% 20
Web Mapping
91 91%
Web Mapping
9% 9
Travel & Location
70 70%
Travel & Location
30% 30
Travel
0 0%
Travel
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using Waze and Google Maps Go. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Reviews

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

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.
Source: gisgeography.com
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.
Source: blog.route4me.com
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

Google Maps Go Reviews

We have no reviews of Google Maps Go yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Google Maps Go should be more popular than Waze. It has been mentiond 27 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.

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
View more

Google Maps Go mentions (27)

  • Real-Time Air Quality Index Visual Map
    All these third-parties are just using limited APIs from other networks and sometimes only one source like the US government network which has very few sensors very far away from most people. Other network maps: https://google.com/maps/@/data=!5m1!1e9 https://www.airnow.gov/ https://map.purpleair.com/ https://map.airgradient.com/ https://www.iqair.com/air-quality-map https://data.usatoday.com/fires/. - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • Got my first 5k in Germany today in a duel! - probably my quickest 5k that isn't a landmark or that I haven't been to myself at less than 30s as I got distracted by the weird high res german signs outside the frame.
    Here's the link: google.com/maps - you don't need a longer link (The image is facing SE). Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Weird behavior on Google sites
    Hmm interesting.. maps.google.com redirects me to google.com/maps on my brave though, idk why it does not take you to google.com/maps website. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Weird behavior on Google sites
    a while ago they proxied maps.google.com to www.google.com/maps and default Google Maps link is google.com/maps now. Source: about 2 years ago
  • WTH is wrong with my home network! Please help me troubleshoot!
    Most Bizzare of all, even using Google's DNS, I can't resolve "maps.google.com" or "news.bbc.co.uk" on the network... Yet I CAN resolve "google.com/maps" and "bbc.co.uk/news". Source: about 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

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

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

Offroad - Offroad app helps you receive off-roading navigation maps to go on off-roading adventures with your friends and family members without worrying about getting lost in the desert.

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

Polarsteps - Automatically track your journeys on a stunning map

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

Jaguar Route Planner - Jaguar Route Planner app contains features to allow users to access a built-in map to view their vehicle’s current position with details such as street address and the distance from your GPS location.

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