Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Waze VS Mapstr

Compare Waze VS Mapstr and see what are their differences

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.

Mapstr logo Mapstr

Your places, your world!
  • Waze
    Image date //
    2024-01-08
  • Mapstr Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-17

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.

Mapstr features and specs

  • User-friendly Interface
    Mapstr provides an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, making it accessible for users of all tech levels to add and organize their favorite places.
  • Customizable Maps
    Users can create personalized maps by saving locations, categorizing them, and adding notes or tags for better organization and retrieval.
  • Collaborative Features
    Mapstr allows you to share your maps with friends or the public, facilitating collaboration and discovery of new places based on recommendations.
  • Integration with Other Services
    The app offers integration with services like Google Maps, making it easier to access routes and detailed location information.

Possible disadvantages of Mapstr

  • Limited Offline Functionality
    Mapstr requires an internet connection for most features, which can be inconvenient for users looking to access their maps without connectivity.
  • Potential Privacy Concerns
    Sharing location data and maps with others can raise privacy issues if not managed carefully, especially if sensitive locations are involved.
  • Feature Set May Be Overwhelming
    The variety of features and customization options may feel overwhelming to users seeking a simpler map-saving experience.
  • Reliance on User-generated Content
    The accuracy and usefulness of the maps largely depend on user submissions, which can vary in quality and comprehensiveness.

Analysis of Mapstr

Overall verdict

  • Mapstr is generally well-regarded, especially by those who travel frequently or enjoy discovering new places. Its seamless integration with contacts and ease of sharing locations with friends enhance its usability, making it a strong choice for anyone looking to organize and personalize their mapping experience.

Why this product is good

  • Mapstr is a digital tool that allows users to store, categorize, and share favorite places on a dynamic map. It's noted for its ease of use, intuitive interface, and the ability to collaborate and share maps with friends, making it convenient for personal use or group planning. Users appreciate the ability to save locations with tags and notes, helping them organize trips and revisit favorite spots with ease.

Recommended for

  • Travel enthusiasts wanting to keep track of favorite places
  • Individuals who like to collaborate on trip planning
  • People who enjoy discovering and sharing unique locations
  • Those looking for a personalized mapping tool for local exploration

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)

Mapstr videos

SCOM0954 - Tip - Mapstr - Preview

More videos:

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Waze and Mapstr)
Maps
87 87%
13% 13
Travel
0 0%
100% 100
Web Mapping
100 100%
0% 0
Travel & Location
83 83%
17% 17

User comments

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Reviews

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

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

Mapstr Reviews

We have no reviews of Mapstr yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Waze should be more popular than Mapstr. 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.

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

Mapstr mentions (6)

  • Apps for saving your favorite locations
    A friend told me about Mapstr, which seems like exactly what you’re looking for! https://mapstr.com/. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • [Mapstr] Export Google Maps favourite places to import to Mapstr App
    Is there any way to export Google Maps favourite places so that I can import them in Mapstr? Source: about 2 years ago
  • Best neighborhood to stay for foodies in Berlin?
    I built an app for this previously but never pursued it as gaining market traction was too expensive. Basically a map based instagram. There is a French app called Mapstr that is along these lines too https://mapstr.com/. Source: over 2 years ago
  • [Idea Validation] City notes (Travel)
    For example, take a look at https://mapstr.com. I tried to use it, but it is bloated. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Anyone know somewhere to get Italian American style sandwiches in London?
    If you are the sort of person who likes custom maps of places you like to visit. You definitely need mapstr in your life. Check it out, I love it. https://mapstr.com. Source: almost 4 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Waze and Mapstr, you can also consider the following products

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

Foursquare - Foursquare is all about helping you find new ways to explore your city.

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

Conquer.Earth - Share a map marked with every place you've ever visited

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

Mapiful - Create & order custom printed maps of your favorite places