Google Maps vs Waze
Which is better in 2026? Five scores, side by side.
Google Maps is the better app overall, scoring 9.1 to 8.4. Google Maps wins on 5 of the 5 scores, Waze on 0.
Travelers who need directions, transit and place reviews in one app
Drivers who want the fastest route right now on commutes and road trips
Score by score
The details
| Feature | Google Maps | Waze |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Travel & Maps | Travel & Maps |
| Category rank | #1 of 8 | #4 of 8 |
| Developer | Waze (Google) | |
| 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
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. It works well with CarPlay and Android Auto. The trade-offs are ads on the map, heavy location data collection and the odd detour through side streets. Get it for daily commutes and road trips.
Full Waze review
