Going from Point A to Point B in the shortest possible time is a goal motorists and commuters want to achieve, especially now that there’s a pandemic. We want to travel faster so we can reach our destination quicker. We want to get home before curfew starts.
This is why more and more travelers are turning to Waze and Google Maps to get around. They want the convenience their turn-by-turn directions provide.
Both navigation apps provide a wide range of features that can be customized. Their special features can improve your driving experience. They can display the local speed limit, so you always know how fast you should be driving.
You can opt to avoid freeways and tolls, connect with Spotify, and change your navigation voice.
But how do you choose which one to use? Which of these Google-owned global mapping apps for iPhones and Androids is better?
It depends on your needs.
Here’s a guide to help you choose.
• Community-based Waze is pretty much useful for cars, while Google Maps offers walking, driving, biking and public transportation directions.
• Google Maps uses a traditional navigation interface, while Waze offers a sleek, minimal interface using the latest in design language.
• Google Maps, which was founded in 2005, is one of the earliest mapping platforms. It has long been known as the gold standard in navigation because of its accurate driving directions. Waze, on the other hand, is purely driver-focused. Google Maps acquired the app, which was founded in 2008, five years later.
• Waze takes a more modern approach. It offers a minimalist (albeit somewhat cartoonish) interface, as opposed to Google Maps’ traditional look. Google Maps allow motorists to share real-time data about accidents, traffic incidents, speed limits, speed traps and other information that helps other drivers navigate the fastest possible route.
• Waze requires data connection while Google Maps is available offline.
• Google Maps includes business data such as menus, hours and phone numbers, while Waze does not.
• Waze offers real-time info such as road closures, road hazards, traffic alerts and real-time traffic conditions based on driver data. Google Maps included some of these features only recently.
• Google Maps is fairly basic while Waze offers a high level of customization (including celebrity voices!).
• Google Maps is a simple but powerful navigation tool that selects the quickest, most efficient route, while Waze collects data from different users and leverages that data to tailor-fit your trip experience, giving you the most efficient route that’s free from obstacles and other nuisances.
• Waze has a Spotify integration and can quickly identify the nearest gas station. Google Maps can do this too, but it takes a little bit more work.
• Waze lets users report where local speed traps are, so you can ensure you’re within the legal speed limit before you come across one. However, if you’re seeking local destinations, Google Maps can help.
• Because Google business pages are integrated into the platform, you can easily find nearby businesses, along with photos and user reviews about each one. You can even get suggestions that fit your needs if you create an account. Google Maps also supports its street view feature, so you always know you’re arriving at the right storefront or residence.
Waze, on the other hand, can take the lead if you’re looking for nearby gas stations. The app includes real-time gas price data provided by users so you can save money when you need a fill-up.
• You can request roadside assistance from fellow Wazers. In addition to its Spotify integration, Google Maps supports a large number of audio apps for listening to music, podcasts, audio books, and more.
• While Google Maps only allows you to change between accents and languages, Waze lets you have fun with your navigation by selecting celebrity and character voice prompts, too.
Happy traveling! (Joey Sarmiento, Global Travel Magazine)
