Waze has a sleek, minimal interface with many customization options and 3D graphics. Google Maps has a basic but traditional navigation interface that includes a wealth of information but can look cluttered. Waze tracks road conditions without community business information. Google Maps includes local businesses and landmarks, including information like menus, hours, and phone numbers. Google Maps can be used both online and offline with turn-by-turn directions offered in offline mode. The app uses live, community-driven, crowd-sourced information about real-time road conditions from drivers. The app takes a mostly data-based approach to local community information and directions, but now does include data gathered from users that provides real-time road congestion and conditions. While both apps offer basic turn-by-turn directions to get you to your destination, there are key distinctions between Google Maps and Waze.ĭirections and voice navigation are available for driving, walking, biking, and public transportation.ĭirections are exclusively focused on driving. It makes sense Google would port some of these features over to its (probably) preferred map app, so it could be we eventually see the differences between the two apps disappear. Many of Google’s other popular services like Google Assistant, Google Street View, and Google Search are integrated into Maps, and Google Maps also now has Waze-like features, like real-time traffic updates and augmented reality features that help with directions for walking around new neighborhoods. The directions are fairly flexible even while you’re navigating, and you’re able to search along your route for services and add additional stops.

Google Maps isn’t just a navigational aid though, as it also shows the location of various businesses, local landmarks, and points of interest, making the app useful for getting a broad overview of a region or part of town, seeing what else is near your destination, and other traditional static map functions.

If you’re using an Android phone, then it’s the navigation app that comes preinstalled with your phone. Google Maps is a standard navigation app that provides navigation for anyone, whether they are walking, biking, or using public transit, in addition to driving with detailed turn-by-turn directions and helpful lane designations.

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