Google Maps and Waze are two similar applications, for iPhone and Android, which function as a GPS navigator and both belong to Google. While initially it was thought that Google, by acquiring Waze, would strip it of its best functions and then leave it to its destiny, instead it kept the two apps independent and separate, keeping some important differences and making Waze be more than an alternative than to Google Maps, which is worth using on several occasions.
To make a comparison between Waze and Google Maps and to understand when it is better to use one rather than the other, let's see how these two applications behave in the three main functions of each GPS navigator: navigation, search for content and different features.
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1) Which app to use to know the directions from one point to another.
Navigation is the most important part of any GPS navigator app, because it must be reliable and always find the fastest way.
In this, both Google Maps and Waze do their job perfectly and this is not something surprising, given that Google uses the same maps and traffic data for both.
The main difference is that Waze allows people to create and send personalized maps, with the possibility of reporting road interruptions, roadworks, roadblocks and any other route problems.
People's reports integrate well into Waze maps and are visible with different icons that appear on the map.
User created maps with Waze are better than Google Maps in isolated and rural areas.
Another important difference is that Waze only works for finding roads when driving by car, while Google Maps also has navigation when walking, cycling or using public transportation.
For driving directions only, both Waze and Maps work very well although the suggested routes may be different.
On the one hand, Waze is strong in recommending the fastest route based on traffic when there is congestion and heavy traffic, to find alternatives, on the other, in more isolated areas, Maps on Maps are more reliable.
Waze is also a more fun, more social and prettier app, recommended to use for known routes, not so much to know which way to go, but to avoid sudden traffic situations.
In another article I explained how with the Waze app in the car you always get there first even with traffic, making the right configurations.
Google Maps is instead recommended to be used for travel, because it is more reliable and for better data management even without an internet connection.
As we know, Google Maps can be used offline, while with Waze it is not possible to download maps, the internet connection must be active in order to use it
2) Search for streets, restaurants, petrol stations and everything else
If we can use Waze or Google Maps as a navigator according to the situation, it is always better to use Google Maps to explore and search for places and streets.
The two apps are actually both good at finding places around us, finding streets and every point of interest, but Google Maps is clearer and more precise.
Both apps show information on restaurants and commercial places such as opening hours, telephone numbers, with the easiest reviews to read in Maps.
Waze is however particularly good at finding the petrol stations that have the lowest prices and is excellent when you need to refuel, to know where it is worth going.
3) Bonus features: police detection, other navigation options
The real reason why you can prefer Waze to Maps is its nicer graphical interface and social features.
Anyone driving with Waze can quickly and easily send others information in real time.
This includes things like roadblocks, roadworks, road accidents, road debris, speed cameras and more.
The other Waze drivers will be notified of the detected problems and can confirm or eliminate them if they are no longer present.
Other fun options of Waze are those to personalize the voice by choosing between different voices and with the possibility also to set your own recorded voice for the navigator.
In Google Maps this option does not exist.
Both apps allow you to follow your location, even if the real-time location sharing of Google Maps is more immediate and easier to use.
As mentioned above, therefore, Google Maps is excellent as a GPS navigator to go to new places and find precise directions, it also works better during travel abroad and on vacation.
Waze can be more useful when you know which way to go, for example in the morning you have to go to work, to know where there is traffic and to avoid road breaks such as checkpoints.
In addition, it is also a more fun app to use in traffic, when you stay still and go very slowly, for its social interactivity.
