Google Maps and Waze are two of the most popular navigation apps, and they’re quite similar – perhaps because Google owns both. Despite their similarities, they have some significant distinctions that can help you decide which navigation software is best for you.
We’ll go through the primary distinctions between Waze and Google Maps in this article, as well as where each software shines. You’ll know which navigation app best suits your needs and driving style after reading this article.
What Devices Do Waze and Google Maps Support?
On both Android and iOS, Google Maps and Waze are available. They’re also both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible. You’ll be able to utilize either app regardless of your device or vehicle.
Both Google Maps and Waze allow you to design routes and transmit them to your phone directly from your browser.
What is the difference between Waze and Google Maps in terms of route planning?
Both Google Maps and Waze are dependable navigation tools that will bring you to your location quickly. They do so, though, in slightly different ways, and these differences can affect which routes you get. It is largely dependent on your driving style whether you favor one over the other.
There are various settings in Google Maps that can change the route it recommends. It will provide you the fastest route by default, changing only if traffic is very bad or if hazards block the road. However, it is extremely adaptable, with options to add restrictions such as avoiding tolls and motorways.
Google Maps may also be configured to guide you on the most fuel-efficient route. Google Maps can assess your fuel efficiency based on local averages and help you be a more carbon-friendly driver using data from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
Waze, on the other hand, appears to be more concerned about the time it takes to get somewhere. Waze users claim that it is considerably more aggressive in avoiding traffic than other navigation apps. To avoid time-consuming traffic, Waze frequently sends you down side roads or “strange” routes, putting the ETA ahead of everything else.
Perhaps as a result, Waze offers some adjustable options, such as requesting that it avoid muddy roads or tough crossings. Depending on your area, this can be really useful, as Waze is known for directing people to very fascinating routes.
However, if there is no traffic or you have limited data, both applications are likely to send you on the same path.
Waze vs. Google Maps: Which Is Better?
Google Maps is your sole option whether you’re taking public transportation, walking, or riding a bicycle.
For dozens of nations, Google Maps includes a comprehensive collection of public transportation timetables and maps. It can also effortlessly mix different modes of transportation. If you need to get the bus to work but will have to walk between services, that is not an issue.
Even more astounding, depending on the location, Google Maps can include information regarding bike and e-scooter rentals, as well as some ride-sharing services.
Waze, on the other hand, only supports three categories of vehicles: private cars, taxis, and motorcycles. As a result, when it comes to adaptability, Google Maps comes out on top.
Designing an App
The interfaces and designs of Google Maps and Waze are vastly different. Waze is designed to get you to your destination as quickly as possible in a car, whereas Google Maps is designed to do much more than that.
Google Maps resembles a standard GPS device. It has a 2D simplified view, a satellite view, and a terrain view, all of which may be adjusted to show different map elements. Waze, on the other hand, is considerably more simple and cartoonish.
Both apps show map data in a similar way. More info is provided as you zoom in (like street names, location names, and smaller roads). Both apps may show a compass as well as a speedometer.
Furthermore, when it comes to navigation, both Google Maps and Waze are fairly comparable. They both reveal your position, traffic data, speed limits, and road hazards while minimizing the information on-screen. Waze, interestingly, also displays other nearby Waze users as small emoticons by default. This is a nice touch, but it appears to be unneeded.
Which Has Worse Advertising: Waze or Google Maps?
In-app advertising and sponsored content are displayed in Google Maps and Waze. The distinction is in how they present them.
When you search for or click on a location on Google Maps, you will see a few bland banner advertising. It also includes paid “Promoted Pins” (which display the company logo) and other services that help businesses stand out on the app, such as customizable business pages.
Advertisements on Waze are typically significantly more aggressive. They show as enormous banners when you stop driving and then vanish once you resume driving. Because these advertising are location-based, you’ll probably see material for local businesses.
Waze adverts display while driving, and users must swipe them aside to see their next turn, according to some users, which is intrusive and distracting to the driver. It’s worth noting that this is an issue that shouldn’t affect the majority of people.
Is Waze or Google Maps better at finding locations?
Using their search bars, both Google Maps and Waze are equally good at finding what you’re looking for. Both will show you the closest places of a given sort, but Waze offers fewer possibilities and only displays you the locations after you ask for them. Google Maps keeps track of all local sites and offers a lot more categories to choose from, making it easier to find what you’re looking for.
Because of its basic design, Waze frequently provides less information about nearby areas and businesses than Google Maps. When you select a location – say, your neighborhood McDonalds – Google Maps will offer you with information such as the location’s opening hours, website, phone number, reviews, and how busy it is, among other things. Waze, on the other hand, frequently displays merely a brief description of the business, a website address, or nothing at all.
Offline GPS versions are available in both Google Maps and Waze, while Google Maps offers more functionality, allowing you to download entire areas to your phone.
Hazards on the Road and Traffic
Both Google Maps and Waze show traffic in a similar way. Depending on the intensity of traffic, both show a red or yellow line, and both provide alternate routes if traffic is high (though Waze will do this much faster than Google). Both can show the same data, such as roadworks, accidents, weather, and speed cameras. Much of this data originates from user reports, particularly in the case of Waze.
Waze appears to be the winner when it comes to displaying hazards and other road conditions. Waze highlights these dangers using large, easy-to-understand indicators. When planning a route, this is quite useful (and avoiding speed cameras).
In conclusion:
Both apps consider traffic, risks (including accidents), police traps, blocked roads, and weather conditions, but Waze presents them in a more user-friendly manner.
Waze is more concerned about ETA, but Google Maps delivers the most efficient route overall.
Waze is solely for cars and motorbikes, whereas Google Maps contains walking, cycling, and public transportation modes that may be combined into one route.
Waze and Google Maps are both outstanding at finding locations, but Google Maps provides more details.
On Google Maps, advertising is less invasive than on Waze.
Google Maps has a lot more information about businesses and areas.
So, Waze or Google Maps: Which Is Better?
You’ll get from point A to point B regardless of which of these two navigation programs you choose. The distinctions are mostly based on personal preference.
If you only have a car or a motorcycle and want to get to your location as quickly as possible? Make use of Waze. If you want additional information about an area, take public transportation if you don’t mind spending a few extra minutes stuck in traffic. Make use of Google Maps. If neither of these appeals to you, consider some of the others!
