Which App Fits You the Best? For about 5 years, Google Maps the undisputed king of mapping apps out there on smartphones. Then Apple Maps got here alongside and changed Google Maps on the iPhone, placing Apple squarely in competitors with Google. So which service is the most effective?
At first, Apple Maps was largely criticized and teased for being effectively behind Google Maps. It was so dangerous that Tim Cook Dinner issued a public apology shortly after the launch in September 2012. Within the decade since Apple has been exhausted at work bringing Maps into control. Let’s see the way it compares.
Word: Since Apple Maps is primarily used on iPhones, this comparability might be centered on the cell apps for each providers. Not the entire options talked about right here can be found on the desktop/pill variations.
Availability
Let’s begin with one thing easily—which platforms are Google Maps and Apple Maps out there on? First, it’s in all probability apparent that Apple Maps is simply out there on Apple gadgets. That features the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Carplay. You can kinda use Apple Maps in the browser, but only if you use DuckDuckGo.
Google Maps, alternatively, is obtainable just about all over the place, together with the aforementioned Apple gadgets. It’s additionally out there on Android, Android Auto, any internet browser you want, and even some characteristic telephones. It’s the clear winner in this class.
Winner: Google Maps
Navigation
When Apple Maps was first launched, turn-by-turn navigation was one of many options that were closely criticized. These days, Apple Maps is way more dependable. Each provider presents comparable routes for attending to most locations, although there are nonetheless some variations.
Apple Maps and Google Maps will generally recommend the same primary route, but the alternative routes can vary quite a bit. Google Maps shows you the most fuel-efficient route, which is not something Apple Maps can do. Both services offer the same transportation methods for navigation—driving, walking, cycling, public transit, and ride-sharing.
One factor that Apple Maps does that Google Maps doesn’t do is give further descriptions of the place shown. For instance, Apple Maps will say issues like “not at this gentle, however on the subsequent gentle flip left.” It’s useful for figuring out precisely what you want to do without being glued to the display.
Visually, the 2 providers look very comparable in navigation mode. They present the velocity restriction, have gentle and darkish modes, embrace a textual content checklist of instructions, can change routes and add stops mid-trip, have choices to report incidents, and present the ETA and distance. One visible distinction is Apple Maps can’t show a satellite tv for pc view in navigation mode.
This class may be very shut. I actually admire Apple’s further little hints for the place to show when navigating around. However, I additionally actually like how Google prioritizes gas effectivity and site visitors situations when making a route. In the end, Google’s unequaled wealth of maps knowledge has a much bigger effect on navigation, which provides Google a slight edge.
Winner: Google Maps (by a hair)
Location Evaluations
For higher or worse, many individuals now use Google Maps and Apple Maps to browse evaluations for eating places and different places. You’ve in all probability seen the indicators at companies asking for evaluations on Google Maps—for this reason. It’s an enormous deal.
Google Maps evaluations are sourced immediately from Google Maps customers. As the fourth most-used smartphone app in the U.S., there’s an enormous pool of individuals contributing to Google Maps evaluations. Google additionally incentivizes evaluations with the “Native Guides” program.
Apple Maps, alternatively, doesn’t settle for evaluations—it sources evaluations from Yelp. (We’ve additionally seen it hyperlinks to evaluations from TripAdvisor.) To its credit score, Yelp has around 178 million monthly visitors—which is so much—however, Google Maps has over one billion monthly users. That’s exhausting to compete with.
How does that translate to the actual world? I checked a very talked-about location in my space on each Yelp and Google Maps. Yelp had 233 evaluations for the placement, whereas Google Maps had a whopping 9,660. I haven’t even talked about but Google Maps exhibits a share for the way seemingly it thinks you’re to get pleasure from a spot. There’s a transparent winner right here.
Winner: Google Maps
Business Data
Evaluations are only one piece of the puzzle in terms of researching a location. The data offered by a couple of enterprises by Google Maps and Apple Maps is essential too, and it’s very completely different.
We’ll begin with Apple Maps. On the high of the display, there are shortcuts for navigation, calling the place, visiting their website, and an “Extra” menu for adding the location to a guide, submitting photos, and favoriting.
Under we will see whether or not the enterprise is open or closed, your ranking (a thumbs up or down), price on a scale of $-$$$$, and distance away. Scrolling down additional, we’ve pictures and the Yelp evaluations, adopted by a “Good to Know” part with details about parking, supply, Wi-Fi, accessibility, and different random issues. Lastly, you’ll see extra particulars about hours.
Google Maps exhibits the ranking, your match share, wheelchair accessibility, worth vary, and the way long it should take to get there properly on the high. Subsequent are navigation shortcuts, ordering (if relevant), calling, saving to your places, and a “Share” button.
Shifting down, we’ve pictures after which several tabs of extra data. The “Overview” tab consists of most of what you want. It comprises hours—together with when the enterprise is most busy, worth varying in precise foreign money (“$1-10 per individual”), evaluations, after which extra pictures, menu data (if relevant), and a lot extra. It’s truthfully a lot.
Winner: Google Maps
Interface & Design
Google Maps and Apple Maps put a whole lot of identical data at your fingertips, however how they show it’s completely different. Apple has gone with an extra minimal look, whereas Google is making an attempt to suit a whole lot of options in a single app.
Whenever you first open Google Maps. you’re greeted with tabs throughout the underside of the display, a search bar and row of shortcuts on the high of the display, and a “Newest within the Space” card ready to be pulled up into view. It’s so much on display without delay, however, the map takes up most of it.
Apple Maps simply exhibits a search bar and your favorites. You may pull up on the cardboard to see current places, your Guides, and extra. It’s so much much less data being blasted into your eyeballs immediately, however, you’ll be able to nonetheless simply get to extra.
The identical minimalist strategy might be seen on the precise maps too. Google Maps has extra icons for companies, landmarks, and roads. A few of it’s helpful—like busy areas—however, a few of it’s simply litter. Apple doesn’t present you with a lot of data till you zoom in nearer.
Whereas I don’t assume Google Maps is ugly, there’s no getting around the truth that it’s grown to be a really bloated app. Apple’s less complicated strategy is refreshing.
Winner: Apple Maps
Offline Maps
You received’t all the time have a strong web connection whenever you’re making an attempt to navigate around the globe. That’s the place offline maps come in useful. For some folks, it is the main make or break in terms of selecting a map app.
Google Maps supports offline maps—and it has for a long time. All you have to do is select “Offline Maps,” and you can download a map of your city or select a custom area to download. It’s pretty dang easy.
Apple Maps doesn’t help offline maps. You’ll strive for a distinct app if that’s one thing you want in your iPhone, sadly.
Winner: Google Maps
Apple Maps has come to a good distance, and I feel it’s gotten to a degree the place it may be reliably utilized in your day-to-day life. Nonetheless, Google Maps remains to be high canine. There’s simply a lot of data out there in Google Maps. That’s a hindrance in terms of UI, however a superb factor in most different conditions. Google wins…for now.
