Sometimes getting from point A to point B during the heart of rush hour or on a long trip can be a real challenge. Between construction, traffic delays, accidents—even potholes or broken-down cars—picking the best route in a sea of variables can be difficult. That’s why drivers are increasingly turning to GPS apps to get them across town or across the country on time.
Even if you know the streets in your neighborhood, it’s pretty clear that apps like Waze, Google Maps and Apple Maps can help you get to your destination on time, or even a little faster than you expected. But which GPS app does the best job of getting you from point A to point B as fast as possible, while providing you with information you need to be an informed driver? We put the three apps to the test to find out which is the best bet for your next trip.
HOW WE DID IT
We sent three test vehicles to the bustling Cincinnati suburb of Liberty Township, Ohio, to see how well each GPS app would get our drivers back to downtown Cincinnati during the heart of a busy weekday afternoon rush hour.
WHAT WE FOUND
While the three apps finished the drive within six minutes of each other, Waze was the clear winner, finishing two minutes ahead of second place Apple Maps, and six minutes ahead of third place Google Maps. Waze also had the most accurate initial estimated time of arrival, predicting their 3:54 p.m. arrival to the minute.
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WAZE – 1ST PLACE |
APPLE MAPS – 2ND PLACE |
GOOGLE MAPS – 3RD PLACE |
|
Start Time |
3:17 p.m. |
3:17 p.m. |
3:17 p.m. |
|
Finish Time |
3:54 p.m. |
3:56 p.m. |
4:00 p.m. |
|
Total Drive Time |
37:55 |
39:02 |
42:52 |
|
Initial ETA |
3:54 p.m. |
3:52 p.m. |
3:51 p.m. |
|
Actual Arrival vs. Initial ETA |
No difference |
4 minutes off |
9 minutes off |
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
While it’s important to know which app gets you to your destination fastest, each of the apps comes with its own set of bells and whistles that may be enough to sway you to give it a try. We compare all three apps so you can decide which is best for you.
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WAZE |
APPLE MAPS |
GOOGLE MAPS |
|
Ease of Use |
Extremely easy to use |
Very intuitive and great for less tech-savvy users |
Generally easy to use, but the in-vehicle experience is different from the online experience many users may be accustomed to |
|
Search Features |
Drivers can search by address or location name |
Drivers can search by address or location name |
Drivers can search by address or location name |
|
Voice Navigation |
Drivers can select from a variety of voices and languages, or record their own navigation. Be advised that some voice options won’t read street names. |
Limited voice options. Audio instructions occasionally lagged the vehicle’s actual position on the route. |
Limited voice options. Audio instructions frequently lagged the vehicle’s actual position on the route. |
|
Hazard Notifications On-Screen |
Since data is crowd-sourced, the app provides on-screen and voice notifications of traffic, accidents, road hazards, construction, police activity, and more. |
Limited on-screen notifications (primarily accidents and traffic) are provided, but the notices are small and can be difficult to understand. |
Limited on-screen notifications (primarily accidents and traffic) are provided, but the notices are small and can be difficult to understand. |
|
Speed Limit Display |
Feature included and generally accurate |
Feature included and generally accurate |
Feature included and generally accurate |
|
Lane Guidance |
Feature available at top of screen, but not always accurate |
Feature available, but not always accurate |
Feature available and provides visual and voice guidance, but not always accurate |
|
Map Accuracy |
No accuracy issues, since maps can be corrected by users |
Map was generally up-to-date, but the maps can occasionally be out of date. |
Map was generally up-to-date, but navigation may not be aware of closed roads. |
|
Battery Life |
Can have significant impact on phone battery if used for an extended period of time. |
Minimal battery impacts |
Minimal battery impacts |
|
Roadside Assistance |
Users can request Roadside Assistance through AAA or other providers directly through the app. |
Feature not available |
Feature not available |
|
In-App Advertising |
Limited in-app advertising, normally only when the vehicle is stopped |
No in-app advertising |
No in-app advertising |
