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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Google Arts & Culture vs Google

Google Arts & Culture 4.7★ · Free + IAP 70
Winner Google Arts & Culture
Google 4.6★ · Free to download 60

Google Arts & Culture is the better choice for dedicated art and culture exploration, despite its technical issues and controversial AI features, while the Google app serves as a general-purpose search engine with its own set of AI-related frustrations.

Full reviews: Google Arts & Culture · Google

Google Arts & Culture offers a rich, educational experience for art enthusiasts but is plagued by bugs and a divisive AI push. The Google app, a general search tool, faces criticism for its AI integration, privacy concerns, and search functionality issues.

Head to head

Features & Content edge: Google Arts & CultureR6R11R15R23
Google Arts & Culture Google Arts & Culture is praised for its vast collection of artworks, interactive exhibits, and educational content, offering engaging ways to learn about art and history R11R23. Users appreciate features like finding similar artworks and interactive stories . However, some users are frustrated by the limited oeuvre of artists, missing artists, and the difficulty in finding specific content due to poor search organization R15. The inclusion of games is also a point of contention for some R6.
Google The Google app is valued for its core search functionality, ability to answer questions, and accessibility features like 'read aloud' . Users also enjoy some of its integrated mini-games like Snake and Pac-Man . However, recent updates have removed or hidden previously used features like reverse image search and translation, replacing them with AI modes . Users also report issues with tab management being broken by AI threads .
Ease of Use & Interface tieR9R12R13R16
Google Arts & Culture Many users find Google Arts & Culture's visual appeal intuitive and easy to use for learning R23. However, a significant number of recent reviews highlight major interface problems, particularly the lack of landscape mode support on iPads and phones, which is described as a "massive oversight" and "laughable" R9R12R13R18. Other complaints include tiny, unadjustable font sizes R16, a convoluted redesign , and banners obstructing views when zooming .
Google The Google app is generally considered easy to use . However, some users find the interface frustrating, especially with the recent changes. Issues include difficulty signing in R88, problems with tab management , and the disappearance of favorite links . Users also dislike unwanted content being pushed and the difficulty in logging out .
Reliability & Performance edge: GoogleR1R4R6R10
Google Arts & Culture Google Arts & Culture suffers from frequent and severe reliability issues. Many users report the app failing to open, showing "app error," or crashing constantly R1R13. Games often don't work or fail to load content R6R10. There are also reports of glitches like inability to remove favorite images R4, incorrect descriptions for viewed birds , and scrolling issues .
Google The Google app generally performs well, with users describing it as "fast and reliable" . However, there are reports of it being slow , taking multiple attempts to load searches , and specific bugs like recent searches not linking to results . Some users experience issues creating new Google accounts, getting stuck on loading screens , or the app disappearing .
AI Integration & User Sentiment tieR2R3R7R40
Google Arts & Culture AI integration in Google Arts & Culture is a major point of contention and a source of negative reviews. Users describe AI features as "soulless," "insulting to humanity," "garbage," and a "devaluing of human expression" R2R3R7R40. Many find the AI elements intrusive, obstructing views, and unnecessary in an art app R7R40. Some even uninstall the app due to the AI push R2.
Google The Google app's AI integration, particularly Gemini, is also a significant source of user frustration. Users report the AI interface breaking tab management , being unresponsive , having "hallucinations" , and being generally "useless" or "not smart" . Some feel AI is being pushed too aggressively, replacing useful features . There are also concerns about AI's environmental impact .
Privacy & Ads edge: Google Arts & CultureR63R72R85R88
Google Arts & Culture Reviews for Google Arts & Culture do not explicitly mention privacy concerns or ads.
Google The Google app faces strong criticism regarding privacy and ads. Users complain about excessive ads R72, tracking of information and location R63R72R88, and the selling of personal data R72R85. Some users feel Google gives away their emails and information to corporations R85.
Pick Google Arts & Culture if

you are an art enthusiast looking for a vast collection of educational content and interactive exhibits, and you are willing to overlook some technical glitches and controversial AI features R11R23.

Pick Google if

you need a general-purpose search engine for quick answers and web browsing, and you are comfortable with Google's data practices and evolving AI integration .

Evidence note: Reviews for both apps are heavily skewed towards recent negative feedback, particularly concerning AI integration and technical issues. Google Arts & Culture has a smaller user base and fewer reviews overall, but its issues are more specific to its core functionality and interface. The Google app, with its massive user base, receives a broader range of complaints, including privacy and general search degradation.

Frequently asked

Is Google Arts & Culture free?
Yes, Google Arts & Culture is free to download and use, though it does include in-app purchases (IAP) (App Store information).
Does Google Arts & Culture support landscape mode on iPad?
No, many users report that Google Arts & Culture currently lacks landscape mode support on iPads and even phones, which is a significant frustration for many R9R12R13R18.
Are there many bugs in Google Arts & Culture?
Yes, many users report frequent bugs in Google Arts & Culture, including the app failing to open, crashing, games not working, and issues with scrolling and removing favorited items R1R4R6R10.
How do users feel about AI in Google Arts & Culture?
User sentiment towards AI in Google Arts & Culture is largely negative, with many describing AI features as "soulless," "insulting," "garbage," and intrusive, leading some to uninstall the app R2R3R7R40.
Does the Google app have privacy issues?
Yes, the Google app receives significant criticism regarding privacy, with users complaining about excessive tracking, location data collection, and the selling of personal information to corporations R63R72R85R88.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R6] Google Arts & Culture 3/5 · US What the heck?!: Bro literally the games don’t work! At school, we play on the website on our iPads and the games work perfectly. But all of a sudden I download it on my phone and the games don’t work! The learning stuff and the camera games work but not the real games like the viola game and the blob opera. Pls fix it!!!
  2. [R11] Google Arts & Culture 5/5 · US Art lover: I love this app, the great detail and the ability to ask question and engage with the topic. This would be amazing if there was one for famous scientists.
  3. [R15] Google Arts & Culture 3/5 · US A few tweaks needed for mobile users: I use this app on my iphone and ipad. A couple things keep me from giving it five stars. One, the galleries of artists don't often include their full oeuvre but rather a few of their selected works. On the same note, some artists with relevant and incredible works don’t exist in this app. Two, why is the mobile UI so oddly conposed? I spent a few moments tryin
  4. [R23] Google Arts & Culture 5/5 · US Greatest app in history of apps!!!!: This app brings me endless joy and wonder! Extremely engaging visual appeal that is so intuitive and easy to use. I love getting lost in their maze of learning! The various ways to learn/search for content, are so smart and fun. Thank you Google!!
  5. [R9] Google Arts & Culture 3/5 · US No landscape support: Works fine in portrait mode but desperately needs landscape mode.
  6. [R12] Google Arts & Culture 3/5 · US The iPad app needs more work: I was amused by this project when I saw it on web, however it was not so good when I downloaded the iPad app. The first main problem that I had was that the application does not work on landscape mode 🫠. It was a huge deception to me since I have a keyboard and I prefer to work on a landscape mode to see more images. 👎 The second enhancement that Google team should wo
  7. [R13] Google Arts & Culture 1/5 · US Terrible App: No landscape mode is honestly laughable coming from the biggest conglomerate. You’ll implement a bunch of useless tacky (ai) functions without even having a basic working system that allows for landscape mode. The search system makes it impossible to narrow down subject matter. Crashes all the time. When you’re looking through archives and go past a certain point it will crash and yo
  8. [R16] Google Arts & Culture 2/5 · US Interface needs much improvement: This app is an incredible, vast resource for you mind and soul. The main issue I have reading it on my ipad is the interface. There are no settings to change the font size, so you almost need a magnifying glass to read it.
  9. [R1] Google Arts & Culture 1/5 · US Broken App: This app has failed to work for the last two months. Opening it shows “app error” every time. It’s not a network connection as all my apps work properly except this one.
  10. [R4] Google Arts & Culture 1/5 · US This item no longer exists.: I don't use Arts & Culture that often; I only use this more for education. There is a glitch where you cannot remove favorite images (or images in the lists you have made) that show a greyed-out, squiggly/ripped icon. I can delete non-deleted artworks, but not the ones that show these symbols. First, I have tried to use uBlock Origin on my computer, but it won't let
  11. [R10] Google Arts & Culture 1/5 · US PLEASE READ: So I CANT GET IN GAMES BECAUSE “failing to load content”.I restarted and tried other stuff but it still WONT WORK please fix🥺🙏🏻🙏
  12. [R2] Google Arts & Culture 4/5 · US Good potential, but ditch the AI: This app has a lot of potential and I was really looking forward to using it as an alternative to mindless scrolling. Unfortunately Google is leaning into AI way too much, including having soulless AI-generated podcasts that “discuss” art. What an insult to humanity! I had to immediately uninstall.
  13. [R3] Google Arts & Culture 3/5 · US AI features are a miss: I think this app is a great resource in general for art fans. But these AI features being pushed upon the user base are a huge turn off. Why would a fan of visual art, likely an artist themselves, want to listen to an AI character podcasting about Starry Night? I think the AI audio stuff is downright useful in Notebook LM, but here? Just feels like a devaluing of human expr
  14. [R7] Google Arts & Culture 1/5 · US ai everywhere: the fact there is a large ai box on everything is so annoying it obstructs the view and is just so frustrating. why does ai have to be literally everywhere i turn even when im trying to learn about art. at least make an option to make it go away
  15. [R40] Google Arts & Culture 1/5 · US AI garbage: I downloaded this hoping for a fun way to connect with the actual art world and escape the infiltration of ai slop in every single thing on the internet. Two seconds into using this app and I’m prompted to try an AI drawing experience. Lose the ai trash. It’s not art and it doesn’t belong in the art world.
  16. [R63] Google 3/5 · US It’s Just Okay!: I prefer a different search engine that doesn’t change the screen if you leave it and come back to it. I also prefer one that doesn’t track your information or location. I also don’t like having suggestions based on something that I looked up because I wasn’t sure what it was.
  17. [R72] Google 3/5 · US Too many ads, privacy cookies and sales of personal data.: Way too much! People forget there are other, safer ways to search. Anytime I google something, it ends up in ads and emails with an hour. Not everyone wants a Gmail account.
  18. [R85] Google 1/5 · US Wow…: If anyone thought Google was bad before, being biased and all, just wait until you learn about Reckless Ben. Evidently google doesn’t care one bit about anyone’s privacy. They will give ALL your emails and information over to any corporation that asks for it. SHAME ON YOU GOOGLE. You can put those legos somewhere dark and lonely, Google.
  19. [R88] Google 2/5 · US Google way: I can’t stand how difficult you make it to sign in and then steal all available information about me you can get your T1000 hands on. Its just absurd and completely violating
  20. [R18] Google Arts & Culture 3/5 · US I love this app, but…: Since the moment I downloaded this app, I loved it. I love the easy access to a variety of artworks and their history, also that if you want to explore about any art content, it takes you to the correct websites. The only thing I have to complain is that the recent apps version does not support the screen rotation. I have it on my phone and on my iPad, and I can’t enjoy the

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store