Citymapper vs Waze
Which is better in 2026? Five scores, side by side.
It's close: Citymapper edges it 8.6 to 8.5, so the right pick depends on what you need. Citymapper wins on 2 of the 5 scores, Waze on 3.
Commuters and city visitors who rely on public transit and want the fastest route
Drivers who want the fastest route right now on commutes and road trips
Score by score
The details
| Feature | Citymapper | Waze |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Travel & Maps | Travel & Maps |
| Category rank | #4 of 10 | #5 of 10 |
| Developer | Citymapper (Via) | Waze (Google) |
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Usable for free | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone & iPad | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android | ✓ | ✓ |
| Web | ✓ | ✓ |
Common questions
Is Citymapper better than Waze?
It's close: Citymapper edges it 8.6 to 8.5, so the right pick depends on what you need. Citymapper wins on 2 of the 5 scores, Waze on 3.
Which is cheaper, Citymapper or Waze?
Citymapper: Free with ads; an optional Citymapper CLUB subscription is sold in the app. Waze: Free, supported by ads on the map. On value for money, Waze scores higher.
Do Citymapper and Waze work on the same devices?
Yes, both run on iPhone & iPad, Android, Web.
Which is more private, Citymapper or Waze?
Citymapper scores higher on privacy (7.2/10). App Store label says usage data may be used to track you; location, searches, contact and financial info are linked to you. Both app stores now say the app contains ads.
Strengths and weaknesses
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
- The free app now carries ads
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: it can't help outside supported cities, and the free app now shows ads.
Full Citymapper review
Waze
- Reacts quickly to crashes and traffic jams
- Community reports catch hazards other apps miss
- Free, with music and podcast controls built in
- Ads appear on the map and when you stop
- Collects a lot of location data
Waze is the best app for drivers who want to dodge traffic. Other drivers report crashes, hazards, police and speed cameras in real time, and Waze reroutes you around slowdowns quickly. Newer touches include personalized routes, a quieter voice mode and Gemini-powered voice reports. It works well with CarPlay and Android Auto. The trade-offs are map ads, heavy location data collection and the odd side-street detour.
Full Waze review
