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

Apple Maps vs Apple Store

Apple Maps 2.4★ · Free + IAP 30
Winner Apple Store
Apple Store 3.5★ · Free to download 65

Apple Store is the clear winner due to its generally positive user experience for managing apps and making purchases, while Apple Maps suffers from significant and frequent navigation issues and a high volume of negative feedback.

Full reviews: Apple Maps · Apple Store

Apple Store is generally well-regarded for its ease of use in finding and managing apps, despite some complaints about payment issues and slow loading times. Apple Maps, however, faces widespread criticism for inaccurate navigation, outdated maps, and frequent app crashes, making it a less reliable option for many users.

Head to head

Features tieR2R5R6R11
Apple Maps Apple Maps users appreciate features like real-time traffic reports, voice GPS, and detailed landscape views in major cities R2R11. However, many users request additional features such as a speedometer , the ability to see traffic jams on the map R5, north-up mode in turn-by-turn navigation R6, and more options for adding stops like hotels and restaurants . Some also desire an in-app rating system for businesses and the ability to mark points and measure distances .
Apple Store Apple Store users find it useful for browsing and seeing different product models and for managing their apps . However, some users wish for better organization to find installed apps , the ability to create multiple Downtime blocks , and the return of features like sending entire text message threads .
Ease of Use edge: Apple StoreR3R6R21R40
Apple Maps Apple Maps is described by some as user-friendly and easy to use . However, many users find it frustrating due to issues like navigation stopping when switching apps R3, disorienting perspective changes R6, and the app constantly re-routing without consent R40. Some also report difficulties adjusting their home address and managing filters R21.
Apple Store Apple Store is generally considered easy to use . New users appreciate help getting started with new phones . However, some users find it surprisingly annoying to find installed apps and report that it takes forever for things to load .
Reliability edge: Apple StoreR3R4R7R9
Apple Maps Apple Maps has significant reliability issues. Users report being shown off the freeway R7, duplicate locations for a single building R4, being taken on unnecessary detours , and being led in the wrong direction . The app is also criticized for slow map updates R9, inaccurate lane guidance R9, and navigation constantly stopping or exiting R3. Some users experience the app not populating or not working at all .
Apple Store Apple Store generally functions well, but some users report issues with updating the app , payment information not updating R67, and transactions not going through R93. There are also complaints about orders not being processed or delivered on time R106 and the app being disabled for older iOS versions .
Price/Value tieR1R19R36R43
Apple Maps Apple Maps is a free app, but users are frustrated by the introduction of ads R19R36R43. Some users feel forced to use it as the default app R1.
Apple Store Apple Store is free to download, but users complain about being charged for apps , reoccurring charges they can't stop R64, and deceptive pricing practices, such as a $30 upcharge if not connecting to a major carrier immediately . There are also complaints about having to pay for extra storage and some prices being egregious .
Support tieR10R31R64R67
Apple Maps Apple Maps users report sending complaints and never receiving a response R31. They also express frustration with Apple doing nothing to fix broken features R10.
Apple Store Apple Store users report difficulties reaching merchants through contact information R64 and not receiving help with payment information issues R67. Some also mention confusing experiences with Apple Card and Apple Pay support .
Pick Apple Maps if

Pick Apple Maps if you prioritize a clean interface and privacy-respecting features over navigation accuracy, and if you primarily use it for public transit or walking in major cities where its landscape views are appreciated R6R11.

Pick Apple Store if

Pick Apple Store if you frequently purchase Apple products, manage apps, or need to find information about Apple devices, as it is generally considered useful and easy to navigate for these purposes .

Evidence note: Apple Maps has a significantly lower lifetime rating and a higher volume of negative reviews, indicating more widespread dissatisfaction compared to Apple Store. Many of Apple Maps' issues are fundamental to its core function (navigation accuracy), while Apple Store's issues are often related to specific transactions or minor app glitches.

Frequently asked

Why do people dislike Apple Maps?
People dislike Apple Maps primarily due to its frequent navigation inaccuracies, such as showing users off-route, providing duplicate locations, taking unnecessary detours, and having outdated map information R4R7R9. Users also complain about the app crashing, navigation stopping in the background, and the recent introduction of ads R3R19R43.
Is the Apple Store app reliable for purchases?
While many find the Apple Store app useful for browsing products, some users report reliability issues with purchases, including payment information not updating, transactions not going through, and orders not being processed or delivered on time R67R93R106. There are also complaints about deceptive pricing and unexpected charges R64.
Does Apple Maps have ads?
Yes, recent reviews indicate that Apple Maps has started to include ads, which has frustrated users R19R36R43.

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. [R2] Apple Maps 5/5 · US Works great: First time really using Apple Maps and it works great! Turn directions along with additional prompts for upcoming turns which is really helpful.
  2. [R5] Apple Maps 4/5 · US Missing something: I can't see the traffic jam on the map. Please fix it!!
  3. [R6] Apple Maps 3/5 · US Needs north-up in turn by turn mode: I really want to like this app. I appreciate the privacy respecting features of it over pretty much every other GPS app out there at this point. But it's missing one crucial feature for me: the ability to set turned by your navigation to "north up" mode. If you're someone who is used to reading actual maps, it's disorienting for the perspective to always be cha
  4. [R11] Apple Maps 5/5 · US Apple maps review: thank you for helping me get around places it uses real time reports and traffic to help me understand the best route. It has voice GPS reporting and the best of all it has I don’t know it’s called but it has the landscape in major cities like Washington DC, Philadelphia, New York, Boston, Richmond, Orlando, Miami Fort Lauderdale IDK land i’m just gonna take a quick detour, hey
  5. [R3] Apple Maps 3/5 · US App crash: Apple Maps navigation constantly stops when switching apps. I start directions, go to WhatsApp or another app for a second, and when I check back the navigation has already exited or stopped guiding me. Very frustrating while driving. Background mode doesn’t work reliably. Please fix this Apple, it should keep running smoothly in the background like other navigation apps. iPhone 14 Pro
  6. [R21] Apple Maps 3/5 · US Partial matches are annoying: Using filters means I don’t want to see everything else, so seeing a bunch of stuff on the map that I’m trying to not see is annoying… like I could include those by expanding my search if I wanted? I don’t see why maps is second guessing filters I set… Like it completely defeats the point of a filter, why have it at all then?
  7. [R40] Apple Maps 1/5 · US STOP RE ROUTING WITHOUT CONSENT!!!: Read the title. I love the app in every way except that. I chose a certain route for a reason. Don’t re route me without giving me a choice like it used to do. I absolutely HATE that feature. Leave it alone or ask if I’d like to change. Don’t just do it for me. I would leave 5 stars if it wasn’t for that 1 problem. FIX IT APPLE. Stop forcing it on us.
  8. [R4] Apple Maps 1/5 · US A mapping service that allows duplicate locations nearly sent me to the hospital: Two locations for ONE BUILDING on a college campus, at least a mile apart, when we had to walk to an audition in 95 degree Texas heat. Why would a mapping service ever allow duplicate locations? We walked for a little under an hour and covered nearly 3 miles on foot thanks to Apple Maps screwing up and allowing DUPLI
  9. [R7] Apple Maps 2/5 · US Wth: For the past six months, Apple Maps, when I have been driving suddenly will show me off the freeway 6 miles away and then back on the freeway and then it hops me around for like 20 minutes trying to figure out that I am still on the freeway that I’ve been on for 20 minutes and keeps changing the times and what exit I have to get off at the last second because it thinks that I am somewhere tha
  10. [R9] Apple Maps 3/5 · US Opportunities: 7/8/26- why no map updates? Why so slow? As a result of slow updates, lane guidance is wrong What is the reason it takes so long to update the maps used in the app. Roads in my area on FM1960 rd e and rd w from Huffman Texas to Hwy 59 overpass in humble have been completed 2-3 months ago and lane guidance is out of date. Why are you all still reporting red light cameras I Humble?
  11. [R1] Apple Maps 1/5 · US Default App: The fact that I cannot make another map app my default gives you 1 star. If the app was good we shouldn’t have to be forced to use it.
  12. [R19] Apple Maps 1/5 · US Ads don’t belong: I’m now greeted with a reminder that the Maps app will now contain ads. Just what Maps needed. I’m so done with this app.
  13. [R36] Apple Maps 3/5 · US Like it better than Google: Works well, some issues here and there but worse aspect is the new ads. More garbage I don’t need or want.
  14. [R43] Apple Maps 1/5 · US Ads: You got to be kidding me? Putting ads in maps is insane. I’m going third party till this is fixed.
  15. [R10] Apple Maps 1/5 · US I’d give zero stars if I could: This used to be my go to app all the time up until like three months ago and now it is completely broken and you can’t go anywhere because the app won’t let you and Apple is doing nothing to fix it so I would not recommend anyone getting this app and anyone who has this app I would recommend deleting it because until Apple actually does a basic problem that it has t
  16. [R31] Apple Maps 2/5 · US Getting changes: Was great till about 6 months ago the quit giving me a faster route almost as if the road was not there other routes add 5-10 minutes and lots of speed bumps I’ve sent in complaints about it and never get a response
  17. [R64] Apple Store 1/5 · US Flex city: Please reconsider flex city being on Apple Store or App Store. You cannot reach the merchant through any type of contact information. It doesn’t work. No number. No email. No official way to contact them. I have a reoccurring charge from them through Apple that’s 118.00 everyday and cannot get it off. Please help me with this. And prevent other people from accessing the game. Especially
  18. [R67] Apple Store 1/5 · US This app sucks: I’ve been trying to update my payment information for weeks and can’t and they haven’t been able to help me 😡
  19. [R93] Apple Store 3/5 · US Hi: It has been horrible! All of my transactions have never gone through!
  20. [R106] Apple Store 1/5 · US Orders: Placed an order and wasn’t even processed before the day it was supposed to be delivered. Taking a week and a half longer than advertised

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