Google Chrome vs Google Maps
Choose Google Maps for navigation and location services, while Google Chrome excels as a web browser.
Google Maps has a slight edge over Google Chrome, particularly for users seeking reliable navigation and location information. While both apps are free and have high lifetime ratings, recent reviews indicate more consistent user satisfaction with Google Maps despite some complaints about updates.
Head to head
you need a fast and efficient web browser for general use.
you require reliable navigation and location services.
Evidence note: Both apps have a free tier, and much of the negativity in recent reviews may stem from users who are less invested in either app. Chrome's issues seem more related to updates, while Maps users are concerned about routing accuracy.
Frequently asked
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.
- [R1] Google Chrome Scrolling Tab Groups: This is still an issue as of 7/9/26 - Taking away the ability to scroll through tab groups when you’re trying to add a link to the them was not a good decision. I can’t for the life of me think of any reason why anyone would think it was.
- [R7] Google Chrome New Update: This new update is infuriating. I don’t want Gemini at the bottom of my page, or anywhere near me. I don’t want the search and tabs bars to be disjointed. The fact we cannot return Chrome to how it was before the update, or remove Gemini from our bar!, is awful. Please give us the option to return back to the previous version of Chrome.
- [R16] Google Chrome New update BUGS: Recent updates have caused my chrome browser to start saving search history and websites browsed even though settings are all turned off. I verified settings were off, updated the app, and it is still happening. This just started this week. What is going on????
- [R64] Google Maps They broke a perfectly good product: I’ve used google maps almost exclusively for years. Yesterday it insisted on not using an address I selected from my address book, that I’ve used many times behind, and instead pushing locations based on ads. After restarting the process it seemed to be taking me to the right place, but in fact it took me to a separate location 8 minutes away. At this point i
- [R11] Google Chrome I like it: It seems to be user friendly.
- [R28] Google Chrome Keeps freezing: The app freezes when I exit it to reply to a text and then I swipe back to the app, it freezes and doesn’t want to work unless I close it completely and reopen it
- [R51] Google Chrome Keeps freezing: Freezes so many times a day and I always have to close the app and restart it. I honestly use it because it syncs with the rest of my chrome usage on desktop etc.
- [R63] Google Maps Bring back featuring the address on top: I love this app, I’ve used it for years. The only reason I’m writing a review now is because with the new update, they’ve hidden the address below and you have to scroll and search for it. I now have to search for it. I have friends who don’t use this app. “Sharing the location” doesn’t work if you don’t have the app. Stop making me search and lift up rocks
- [R27] Google Chrome Crash: Google Chrome “unexpectedly quits” a lot
- [R88] Google Maps 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.
- [R9] Google Chrome Account hacked?: Cannot access my account with trillions of chips! She emailed me once. I still cannot access my account. Please find someone who can help?
- [R49] Google Chrome Cutomer support: I was on phone for 3 hours to set up my ring camera. Two agents were a joke. After 2 hours guy said he would just may me a new camera. The one I had was new I was just trying to set up. I said no don’t you hang up on me I figured out how to make the camera work before they could what a joke. Train the dummies !!!
- [R43] Google Chrome Google Forms: I have a free version yet I’m being told I can’t turn on the free version for emails for my customers and they can’t put thier email in or fill out form without signing in to a google acct. I have to contact you because customer service for Google forms are not resolving this issue. People can’t fill out the form I created and it’s free. Please escalate to the appropriate department
- [R114] Google Maps Very Glitchy lately: After one of the last updates, the app has been glitching to the point where I had to switch to Apple. In the middle of a trip it loses my location and starts giving directions from some random point miles away or it crashes and closes the app while I’m driving.
Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store