Google Maps vs Apple Maps vs Waze: Which is best?

Smartphone users are absolutely spoiled with their selection of navigation apps, but there is still a choice to make. Mainly, that choice boils down to Google Maps, Apple Maps, or Waze. While there are many factors you may want to consider — such as Apple Maps’ poor launch or Waze being owned by Google — there are several reasons that this is a far more compelling comparison than you might initially think.

While all three services set out to do the same thing, they each yield very different results and experiences. Through the use of all three apps, there are some obvious pros and cons to each, as well as some unexpected and niche bonuses. But which one reigns supreme above the rest?

Navigation

All three will get you where you need to go

The choice between these three services is not one that you’re going to want to make exclusively based on their ability to get you from location to location. All three services will get you where you want to go with no issue. Outside of the exceedingly rare bug that can happen on any service, all three options accomplish the navigational aspect.

As for choosing your destination and starting point, Apple Maps and Google Maps are neck-and-neck. Waze, on the other hand, has a slightly clunkier UI than the other two services — especially for selecting an alternative starting destination, which seems almost impossible at first glance. With a destination picked, all three provide a few routes for getting where you need to go, and they all tend to be accurate as far as time estimates go.