Google Maps vs Citymapper
Which is better in 2026? Five scores, side by side.
Google Maps is the better app overall, scoring 9.1 to 8.7. Google Maps wins on 3 of the 5 scores, Citymapper on 1, with 1 tied.
Travelers who need directions, transit and place reviews in one app
Commuters and city visitors who rely on public transit and want the fastest route
Score by score
The details
| Feature | Google Maps | Citymapper |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Travel & Maps | Travel & Maps |
| Category rank | #1 of 8 | #3 of 8 |
| Developer | Citymapper (Via) | |
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Usable for free | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone & iPad | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android | ✓ | ✓ |
| Web | ✓ | ✓ |
Strengths and weaknesses
Google Maps
- Best coverage of places, businesses and reviews
- Reliable transit directions in most major cities
- Offline maps for when you have no signal
- Relies heavily on your location and search data
- Interface is crowded with sponsored pins and suggestions
Google Maps is the one travel app nearly everyone should have. It handles driving, walking, cycling and public transit in most cities, its business listings and reviews are unmatched, and offline maps keep you covered without data. Live View helps you get your bearings on foot in unfamiliar places. The trade-off is privacy: it runs on your location and search data, so review your settings.
Full Google Maps review
Citymapper
- Clear side-by-side comparison of every way to travel
- Go mode alerts you before your stop
- Excellent live data in supported cities
- Only covers a set list of major cities
- No turn-by-turn driving navigation
Citymapper is the best transit app if you're in one of the cities it covers. It compares buses, trains, bikes, scooters and walking side by side, shows live departures and disruptions, and Go mode tells you when to get off. Small touches, like which part of the train to board for a quick exit, save real time. The catch: outside its supported cities, it can't help you.
Full Citymapper review
