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

Google vs Google Maps

Google 4.6★ · Free to download 40
Winner Google Maps
Google Maps 4.7★ · Free to download 65

Google Maps is the stronger choice for navigation and local discovery, despite recent update issues, while the Google app struggles with core search functionality and new AI integrations.

Full reviews: Google · Google Maps

Google Maps generally receives praise for its navigation and local business information, though recent updates have introduced bugs and unwanted features. The Google app, on the other hand, faces significant criticism for broken features, privacy concerns, and a problematic AI integration that hinders its core search experience.

Head to head

Core Functionality & Search edge: Google MapsR1R18R19R35
Google Users report significant issues with the Google app's core search functionality, including slow loading, difficulty finding desired results, and broken tab management R18R19. The 'Read Aloud' feature, a key reason for some users to use the app, has disappeared for many R1. There are also complaints about the search engine being 'degraded' and hiding results, pushing irrelevant content R35.
Google Maps Google Maps users generally find the app useful for navigation, but recent updates have introduced glitches like losing location, crashing, and not following the car's movement . Some users also report that it suggests illegal turns or non-existent roads R69.
New Features & AI Integration tieR19R31R45R56
Google The Google app's integration of AI (Gemini) is a major point of contention, with users finding it breaks basic tab management, overwrites active threads, and is generally unhelpful or buggy R19R45R56. Essential features like reverse image search and translation have been replaced or made harder to access by the 'AI Mode' button R31.
Google Maps Google Maps has also seen new features, including updated satellite views that some users like . However, the inclusion of AI features is blamed for glitches like pausing Apple Music and disrupting Bluetooth connections . Some users also dislike the new 'bubbly shiny appearance' and changes to camera angles .
Privacy & Ads edge: GoogleR3R9R12R15
Google Many Google app users express strong concerns about privacy, data tracking, and being bombarded with ads and spam R3R12R34R37. Users feel forced to sign in and provide personal information, leading to unwanted suggestions and emails R9R15.
Google Maps Google Maps users also report issues with ads, with the app 'pushing locations based on ads' and becoming an 'advertising bot' . Some find the photo bubbles on the map intrusive and obscuring the view .
Ease of Use & Reliability edge: Google MapsR4R9R13R22
Google While some users find the Google app easy to use , many others report it as difficult, slow, and unreliable. Issues include accounts disappearing, inability to create new accounts, and persistent sign-in requests R4R9R13R22. The app is also described as pushing 'unwanted and not needed rubbish' .
Google Maps Google Maps is generally considered helpful , but recent updates have made it less reliable for some. Issues include inaccurate dropped pins, incorrect routing, and the inability to edit addresses R88R100. The app also has problems with speed limit detection and pausing music .
Pick Google if

You primarily use Google for basic search queries and appreciate its ability to answer questions directly .

Pick Google Maps if

You need reliable navigation, local business information, and enjoy features like satellite view, despite recent bugs and unwanted changes .

Evidence note: Both apps are free, so there is no free-vs-paid asymmetry. Reviews for both apps show a recent negative skew, with many users expressing frustration over updates that have broken features or introduced unwanted changes. The Google app's reviews are particularly critical of its AI integration and privacy practices.

Frequently asked

Are there issues with Google's AI features?
Yes, users report significant problems with Google's AI features, including it breaking tab management, overwriting active research, being unhelpful in conversations, and replacing useful features like translation R19R31R45.
Has Google Maps become less accurate?
Some users report that Google Maps has become less accurate, with issues like dropped pins being inaccurate, incorrect routing, suggesting illegal turns, and not updating for new roads in developing areas R69R84R88R100.
Do these apps have privacy concerns?
Yes, both apps raise privacy concerns among users, with the Google app being criticized for tracking information, selling personal data, and bombarding users with ads R3R12R34R37. Google Maps is also accused of pushing locations based on ads and becoming an 'advertising bot' .

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. [R1] Google 2/5 · US Read Aloud disappeared: To be honest, I don’t really like the Google app, I am just super used to safari and can’t change it but I heavily, HEAVILY, used it for the “Read Aloud” function (and it’s the only reason why I use the Google App). It was working just fine but the option suddenly disappeared the day before yesterday. I have already removed the app, reinstalled, removed shut down the phon
  2. [R18] Google 3/5 · GB It’s good but one tiny problem: Google is great for trying to find the things you want to discover or search up. But there seems to be a recurring problem that it takes Google three or four attempts just to load searches. It always says that the website has even been permanently moved to a different website or you haven’t got Internet connection. I do have Internet connection and I think this is a
  3. [R19] Google 1/5 · US Broken tab management: The AI/Gemini interface inside the Google App completely breaks basic tab management. When I click the "New Tab" button while inside an active AI thread, it fails to open a separate, additional tab. Instead, it completely ignores the command and overwrites my current thread. This destroys my active research progress and pollutes the AI's context window with unrelated questio
  4. [R35] Google 4/5 · US w goons: thanks
  5. [R31] Google 1/5 · US Why are the features I used now just an AI Mode button?: I use the Google app for just two things, reverse image search and translation. I can sort of get to the reverse image search if I’m ok with Google having camera access, but the translate button is gone, presumably to make room for the very unwelcome AI Mode button. There may be a setting to change this, but it’s not clear in the settings, a
  6. [R45] Google 1/5 · US Your AI sucks: Do you ever find yourself with a question racking your brain that you just have to talk out and do you ever find yourself while talking desperately desiring for the AI you’re talking to to just mute you and stop listening delete the whole conversation you were having and start from the ground up if that’s the case, then Google AI is for you outside of a two sentence question you’ll
  7. [R56] Google 4/5 · US Good buttttt…..: I like google and the fact that I can play snake, pac man and catch Pokémon, it’s cool! But, the ai overview is kind of a liar, on my moms tablet, I was playing Infinite Craft and I asked the ai overview thing how to make a thing in infinite craft and it LIED! Please fix it!
  8. [R3] 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.
  9. [R9] Google 3/5 · US Nightstick291: Don’t like that I have to sign in all the time,and you have emails in 3 locations. Important , All mail,& regular email. I only want 1 place for my emails.
  10. [R12] 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.
  11. [R15] Google 3/5 · GB Google issues: Always ask to sign into stuff I only want to use google , why does it always ask for my email, phone no etc
  12. [R4] Google 1/5 · US Difficult: Meant to make life easier, nope…redirects slow, takes you to shady locations and the longest route possible
  13. [R13] Google 1/5 · US I can’t make a new Google account for some reason.: Been trying to make a new Google account for me and my friends to start a YouTube channel Together. For some reason, o can’t get through to the next page for creating the account. I’m always stuff at a loading screen that ends up not loading. So frustrating. Maybe I’ll just ask them if they want to do instagram instead.
  14. [R22] Google 1/5 · US Worst app ever: Is some of my account no reason I had a YouTube channel with that account and then it just disappeared and wouldn’t let me get back in and I’m disappointed in this app you shouldn’t get it. It’s the worst app ever.
  15. [R69] Google Maps 3/5 · US untrustworthy: After all these years, still suggests illegal turns and nonexistent roads…
  16. [R84] Google Maps 3/5 · US App is getting better but could improve: I like the accuracy and that they have their own reviews u like Apple Maps. The routes needs to be updated more especially for developing areas. In my area it’s already changed over the past 5 years but google is still using stale maps.
  17. [R88] Google Maps 1/5 · US Updates have made app worse: The recent updates have made the app worse and almost unusable at times. The "Dropped Pin" location is no longer accurate. And often can't trust the routes provided anymore. Used to be the best maps app available till developers began improving it.
  18. [R100] Google Maps 1/5 · US I wish there were better alternatives: Awful! I feel like this map app got worse. It gives you suggestions like “less traffic” “similar …”, don’t trust it!!! It’s all false!Don’t take them, don’t use google’s atrocious suggestions. Trust me bro. Also, if you take a rerouted suggestion, it restarts your option of cheaper/no tolls. Like it overrides your choice, and chooses for you as in pay $10+ i
  19. [R34] 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.
  20. [R37] 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

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