Waze is the better app overall, scoring 8.5 to 8.0. Waze wins on 4 of the 5 scores, Vrbo on 1.
Drivers who want the fastest route right now on commutes and road trips
Families and groups booking a whole house, cabin or condo for a getaway
Score by score
The details
| Feature | Waze | Vrbo |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Travel & Maps | Travel & Maps |
| Category rank | #6 of 13 | #12 of 13 |
| Developer | Waze (Google) | Expedia Group |
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Usable for free | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone & iPad | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android | ✓ | ✓ |
| Web | ✓ | ✓ |
Common questions
Is Waze better than Vrbo?
Waze is the better app overall, scoring 8.5 to 8.0. Waze wins on 4 of the 5 scores, Vrbo on 1.
Which is cheaper, Waze or Vrbo?
Waze: Free, supported by ads on the map. Vrbo: Free app; a service fee that varies by booking is added at checkout. On value for money, Waze scores higher.
Do Waze and Vrbo work on the same devices?
Yes, both run on iPhone & iPad, Android, Web.
Which is more private, Waze or Vrbo?
Vrbo scores higher on privacy (6.4/10). App Store label: user content may be used to track you. Purchases, payment info, location, contact info, searches, identifiers and usage data may be linked to you.
Strengths and weaknesses
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
Vrbo
- Entire homes, so groups get the place to themselves
- Group planning with votes and comments
- Rewards you can also spend on Expedia and Hotels.com
- A service fee that varies by booking is added at checkout
- Sponsored listings can now sit at the top of search
Vrbo only lists whole homes, so your family or group gets the entire beach house, cabin or condo with no shared spaces. Trip Planner lets everyone save favorites, vote and chat in one place, and many stays offer free cancellation. You earn and spend One Key rewards shared with Expedia. Watch the checkout total, though: a service fee that changes with each booking gets added, so compare the same home elsewhere.
Full Vrbo review
