Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Google Maps vs Google Chrome

Google Maps 4.7★ · Free to download 75
Winner Google Maps
Google Chrome 4.7★ · Free to download 68

While both apps are free and widely used, Google Maps has a slight edge due to its core functionality generally being praised despite recent update issues, whereas Google Chrome faces more fundamental criticism regarding its search quality and increasing AI integration.

Full reviews: Google Maps · Google Chrome

Google Maps and Google Chrome are both free, highly-rated Google apps, but recent updates have introduced significant user frustration for both. Google Maps struggles with navigation glitches and UI changes, while Google Chrome faces criticism for AI integration, freezing, and search quality.

Head to head

Features and Functionality tieR3R12R17R26
Google Maps Google Maps users value its core navigation and satellite view features R26R17. However, recent updates have introduced issues like hidden addresses, inaccurate dropped pins, and the inability to search for locations not at the user's physical spot R3R28. Users also desire multi-trip planning and better public transport routing R12.
Google Chrome Google Chrome is praised for being a fast, secure, and user-friendly browser R120. However, recent updates have caused issues with tab group scrolling, the placement of Gemini AI, and the inability to disable AI features R67R94R117. Some users also report problems with downloading files and the quality of the built-in translator .
Ease of Use and User Interface tieR3R6R49R50
Google Maps Many users find Google Maps generally easy to use R50. However, recent updates have made the interface less intuitive for some, with complaints about hidden addresses, a 'bubbly shiny appearance,' and the removal of the direct overhead camera angle R3R49. Some also find the navigation voice robotic R6.
Google Chrome Chrome is generally considered user-friendly . However, recent UI changes, such as the disjointed search and tabs bars and the forced placement of Gemini, have frustrated users who prefer the previous layout and lack options to revert R67.
Reliability and Performance tieR6R15R25R28
Google Maps Google Maps is generally seen as useful R15, but many recent reviews highlight significant reliability issues. Users report glitches, lagging, freezing, incorrect routing, and the app losing location or crashing mid-trip R15R25R28. Some also note slow speed limit updates R6.
Google Chrome Google Chrome users report frequent freezing and crashing, often requiring a full app restart . Some also experience battery drain and lag on iPhones . There are also reports of search history being saved despite privacy settings being turned off .
Price and Value tieR15R120
Google Maps Google Maps is free to download and use, offering significant value as a navigation and local discovery tool R15.
Google Chrome Google Chrome is also free to download and use, providing a web browser that many find fast and efficient R120.
Support and Updates tieR4R28R31R67
Google Maps Recent updates to Google Maps have been a major source of frustration, with users complaining that they have 'broken a perfectly good product' and made the app worse R4R28. There's a perception that new features are prioritized over core maintenance R31.
Google Chrome Google Chrome's recent updates are also a significant source of user dissatisfaction, with many calling them 'infuriating' and 'pointless' R67. Users are frustrated by the lack of options to disable new features like Gemini AI or revert to previous versions R67R94. Some also report poor customer service for related Google products .
Pick Google Maps if

You need a comprehensive mapping and navigation tool, especially for local discovery and business information, and are willing to tolerate occasional glitches and UI changes .

Pick Google Chrome if

You prioritize a fast and secure web browser that syncs across devices and are comfortable with Google's ecosystem, despite recent AI integrations and occasional performance issues .

Evidence note: Many reviews for both apps are general expressions of satisfaction or dissatisfaction without specific details. A significant portion of reviews for Google Maps are actually reviews of businesses listed on Google Maps, not the app itself. Both apps are free, so there is no free-vs-paid asymmetry.

Frequently asked

Are Google Maps and Google Chrome free?
Yes, both Google Maps and Google Chrome are free to download and use R15R120.
Do recent updates improve Google Maps and Chrome?
Recent updates for both Google Maps and Google Chrome have been met with significant user frustration, with many users reporting that the updates have made the apps worse, introduced bugs, or removed desired features R4R28R31R67.
Is AI integration a problem in Google Chrome?
Yes, many Google Chrome users are dissatisfied with the increased AI integration, particularly the forced placement of Gemini, and the lack of options to disable AI features, which some feel interrupts their workflow and compromises privacy R67R70R94R117.

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. [R3] Google Maps 3/5 · US 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
  2. [R12] Google Maps 3/5 · US Need MULTI TrIp tab: You should really have a multi trip tab for people that drive to multiple areas in a row. That way we can plug in multiple locations in a row we need to hit up and it would save them. Instead of having to do single trip inputs overtime we stop at locations.
  3. [R17] Google Maps 5/5 · US View: Like the updated satellite view!
  4. [R26] Google Maps 5/5 · US MJB: Great map I like all the options and the major is the satellite view during navigation.
  5. [R6] Google Maps 3/5 · US Needs Work: Calibration needs to be done for the sensor that detects speed limits because the app takes too long to switch over to a new speed- Apple Maps is faster at this. Also, please update so I can use my Siri voice as override audio because I don’t like the one Google has- it’s too sounds robotic to be helpful.
  6. [R49] Google Maps 1/5 · US Why?: What is with the bubbly shiny appearance? It looks like my young daughter got ahold of my phone, what was wrong the map looking like a map? The bigger annoyance, why can I no longer have the camera angle directly above the vehicle? It used to be a very easy adjustment if you wanted it directly above or angled behind, now it’s only 1 angled view. Not sure why such changes are made, you ma
  7. [R50] Google Maps 5/5 · US Amazing: Absolute amazing website so easy and functional 10/10.
  8. [R15] Google Maps 3/5 · US GLITCH: The service this application provides it’s very useful. Some glitches here and there and i guess that’s why so much updates. Today it’s not the exception places are not opening right in the middle of my screen when i click on one it pops up to the side.
  9. [R25] Google Maps 1/5 · US Somehow gets worse each year: Even with all the feedback I give, the navigation keeps getting worse with: - dangerous right turns immediately after highway exits - not showing highway exit numbers - routing through road closures that have already been 'accepted' as a valid change
  10. [R28] 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.
  11. [R120] Google Chrome 5/5 · US Great web browser: I love chrome it’s fast sufficient and it gives a lot of information
  12. [R4] Google Maps 1/5 · US 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
  13. [R31] Google Maps 1/5 · US AI inclusion ruined core features: The addition of AI features (for what exactly? Who knows!) has nerfed core functionality. Want to switch apps while listening to music? Hope you like 4 second skips. Check Notification Center while using it? Hope you didn’t need Bluetooth connected! Classic Google problem of prioritizing new build over core maintenance. This time has finally pushed me over to A
  14. [R67] Google Chrome 1/5 · US 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.
  15. [R70] Google Chrome 2/5 · US Too much AI: I am sick of AI trying to guess what I’m thinking all the time. It tries to correct my technical word spellings (incorrectly of course) of course). Or suggests words that pop up and have no relevance and interrupts my train of thought that wastes my time. I feel like it’s gathering information from me so that it can “learn” but I don’t feel it’s my responsibility to be a teacher to t
  16. [R94] Google Chrome 1/5 · US Ai option: There should be a way I can disable the AI setting in the app.
  17. [R117] Google Chrome 1/5 · US AI: The use of AI has ruined this app.

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