Apple Maps review
Free maps and directions built into every Apple device
- Apple
- Free
- iPhone & iPad, Mac, Web
2.2 from 64.5K App Store ratings
Does it deserve #3?
Is Apple Maps worth it?
Yes. Apple Maps scores 9.0/10 and ranks #3 in Travel & Maps. It's best for iPhone owners who want a free, private map that works with CarPlay and Apple Watch. Skip it if you use Android or Windows and want one map app on every device. Price: Free on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch, with no in-app purchases.
The verdict
Apple Maps is the map already on your iPhone, and it's now a strong pick. You get driving, walking, cycling and transit directions, offline maps with turn-by-turn guidance, routes with up to 15 stops, Look Around street views and hiking maps for select parks. Your data isn't linked to you, which Google can't say. The catches: it only lives on Apple devices plus a web version, and US and Canadian searches can now show an ad.
- Driving, walking, cycling and transit directions
- Offline maps on iPhone and Apple Watch
- Routes with up to 15 stops
- Look Around street-level views
- Visited Places and curated Guides
Score breakdown
Overall = features 30% · design 20% · speed 20% · value 15% · privacy 15%. Why these weights?
What's new
- Sep 2026IOS 27 adds Local Lists (US), Trending Restaurants and sharper Flyover in select cities
- Sep 2026Ask for routes in plain words, like avoiding tolls, plus a Parked Car widget on Apple Watch
- Aug 2026Sponsored places started showing in search in the US and Canada, with no way to turn them off
Privacy 8.8/10
App Store label: no tracking and no data linked to you. Location, searches, usage and diagnostics may be collected without being tied to you. Apple says Maps ads aren't linked to your Apple Account.
What we like
- Free, and your data isn't linked to your identity
- Clean design that fits iPhone, CarPlay and Apple Watch
- Offline maps with full turn-by-turn directions
What could be better
- Only on Apple devices, plus a web version
- Sponsored places now appear in US and Canada searches
- Place details can be thinner than Google Maps in some areas
iPhone owners who want a free, private map that works with CarPlay and Apple Watch
you use Android or Windows and want one map app on every device
Questions about Apple Maps
Is Apple Maps worth it in 2026?
Yes. Apple Maps scores 9.0/10 and ranks #3 in Travel & Maps. It's best for iPhone owners who want a free, private map that works with CarPlay and Apple Watch. Skip it if you use Android or Windows and want one map app on every device. Price: Free on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch, with no in-app purchases.
Is Apple Maps free?
Yes. Apple Maps is free on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch, with no subscription or in-app purchases. Since August 2026, searches in the US and Canada can show a labeled ad.
Can I use Apple Maps on Android or Windows?
There's no Android app. You can use Apple Maps on the web at maps.apple.com in browsers like Chrome, Edge and Firefox on a PC.
Does Apple Maps work offline?
Yes. Download an area to your iPhone or Apple Watch and you get turn-by-turn directions for driving, walking, cycling and transit without a connection.
What are the best alternatives to Apple Maps?
The closest alternatives are Google Maps, Waze and Citymapper. See all of them ranked on our Apple Maps alternatives page.
Where does Apple Maps rank?
Apple Maps ranks #3 of 13 in our Travel & Maps ranking, with an overall score of 9.0 out of 10.