Should you use Google Maps or Apple Maps?

Main points

• Apple Maps may have improved since its inception, but Google Maps still dominates when it comes to usability and reliability.
• Both apps offer reliable navigation, but Google Maps tends to estimate shorter travel times and suggest different routes.
• Apple Maps provides a more enjoyable business experience with options such as sending messages through iMessage.

On the surface, Google Maps and Apple Maps appear to be a very one-sided competition. After all, Google Maps has the advantage of being included in the most widely used search engine in existence. Google Maps also didn’t have as bad a launch as Apple Maps.

However, the comparison between the two navigation apps is a little more nuanced than you might first think. While the launch of Apple Maps is still frustrating, it has come a long way, especially in recent years. So is one really definitely better than the other?

Google Maps is not tied to any platform

Apple Maps not available outside of Apple devices

One of the most important considerations when comparing Google Maps and Apple Maps is whether you can actually use them on your own device. This may seem trivial in theory, but in practice you probably won’t be surprised to find that Apple Maps isn’t available outside of Apple devices.

With that knowledge alone, unless you own an iPhone or other Apple product to actually use Apple Maps, there’s no competition here. No matter how great any feature of Apple Maps is, the availability of Google Maps on iOS and Android makes it a better choice.

Both apps help you get from point A to point B

Basic navigation on Google Maps and Apple Maps is reliable

Map services are designed to fulfill several main functions. The most prominent of these features is actual navigation. You may have a negative impression of navigation due to the disastrous launch of Apple Maps in 2012, but that’s over a decade ago. Apple had improved its mapping service in many ways at the time, but could it match Google’s?

In both services, both tend to recommend the same set of routes from point A to point B. Each service estimates times differently, but in my experience Google Maps tends to guess lower. Another interesting detail is that Apple Maps and Google Maps tend to suggest different routes as the fastest route available. If both services tell you the same two routes to get somewhere, they may disagree on which one is better. As to which route is actually faster, your mileage will vary.

As for step-by-step instructions, both apps tend to be evenly balanced in terms of clarity and ease of understanding. For the basic functionality of navigating somewhere, both apps are comparable to each other.

Have a pleasant business experience with Apple

For example, you can send a message to a business via iMessage

In addition to actually using the Maps app as a map, you might also use it to determine the location and hours of operation of certain businesses in your area. You can also use it to quickly get the phone number of a business you want to call. The question is, is it really possible to do better at this? Surprisingly, yes.

While the functionality of both apps is basically the same, Apple Maps just has a few features that make it more intuitive on the user side. One of those features is getting a business. With Apple Maps, you can send messages to specific businesses via iMessage. Additionally, when you call a business through Apple Maps, its number will be marked as that business in your call history.

Both apps allow viewing photos, hours and reviews of any given business. Especially in terms of reviews, Google’s pool comes from Google users, while Apple’s pool comes from Yelp. While finding business information may be a simple task, Apple Maps makes the experience much more enjoyable.

Both apps look great and are easy to use

Comparable UI

In any application, one of the most important details is presentation. Does the app look nice and is easy to use? In map apps, it’s even more important to keep these considerations in mind, as minor errors introduced by an unstable design can add time to a road trip.

Thankfully, the two apps are basically evenly matched in this regard. Apple Maps’ UI is a little cleaner, but Google Maps’ UI is definitely information-rich. Both apps display information in essentially the same way, with slightly different color schemes. For example, Google Maps has slightly better contrast between some features. At the same time, Apple Maps provides a fully 3D rendered map view. When it comes to presentation, the choice between Google Maps and Apple Maps mostly comes down to personal taste.

Which is better, Google Maps or Apple Maps?

They are equal (but at least try Apple Maps if you have an iPhone)

For most uses and needs, Google Maps and Apple Maps are the same. So which one should you use? Stop me if you’ve heard this before: Apple’s products are really great, but they’re only good for you if you own an iPhone. If you have an iPhone, try Apple Maps first before heading to the App Store to download Google Maps.

Like many Apple products, Apple Maps is useful if you’re already part of Apple’s ecosystem. Meanwhile, if you’re on Android, you have no choice but to use Google Maps. While it may seem like a cliche, the choice really depends on the phone you’re carrying. Both have clear advantages, and neither is a bad choice.

FAQ

Q: Which devices support Google Maps and Apple Maps?

Google Maps is available on Android, iOS, Windows and Mac devices, as well as through Apple’s CarPlay. Apple Maps is designed for use with Apple devices, including iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers.

Q: Does Apple Maps have Street View similar to Google Maps?

Google Maps offers extensive Street View coverage in many locations around the world, allowing users to explore areas from the ground and providing an immersive navigation experience. Apple Maps offers a similar feature called “Look Around,” which provides street-level imagery of selected cities, but its coverage is currently more limited compared to Google Maps’ Street View.