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

Apple Maps vs Google Maps

Apple Maps 2.4★ · Free + IAP 45
Winner Google Maps
Google Maps 4.7★ · Free to download 75

Google Maps generally offers a more reliable and feature-rich navigation experience, despite recent user complaints about updates, while Apple Maps struggles with accuracy and core functionality.

Full reviews: Apple Maps · Google Maps

Google Maps maintains a strong lead with extensive features and generally reliable navigation, though recent updates have introduced frustrating bugs for some users. Apple Maps, while improving visually, continues to face significant challenges with map accuracy, navigation reliability, and missing core features, leading many users to switch away.

Head to head

Features edge: Google MapsR5R6R11R14
Apple Maps Apple Maps users desire features like a speedometer, traffic jam visibility, north-up mode, and the ability to mark points and measure distances R5R6R14. Some appreciate real-time reports and landscape views in major cities R11. However, the lack of an in-app rating system, unlike Google Maps, is a significant drawback . Users also want more options for adding stops, such as hotels and restaurants .
Google Maps Google Maps offers a wide array of features, with users appreciating the satellite view during navigation and the ability to see reviews . However, recent updates have removed or hidden features, such as easily accessible addresses , the ability to search nearby locations when not physically present , and the camera angle directly above the vehicle . Users also request a multi-trip tab for sequential destinations R72 and improved public transport options in some cities .
Ease of Use tieR3R6R16R21
Apple Maps Apple Maps is described as user-friendly and easy to use by some . However, issues like navigation stopping when switching apps R3, disorienting perspective changes without a 'north up' option R6, and an annoying voice interface R16 detract from the experience. Users also find partial match filters frustrating R21 and struggle with adjusting home addresses .
Google Maps Google Maps is generally considered functional and easy to use . However, recent updates have introduced issues like hidden addresses , confusing new visual appearances , and difficulties in seeing road names clearly . Some users also report glitches where places don't open correctly on screen or the navigation screen doesn't follow the car .
Reliability edge: Google MapsR3R4R7R9
Apple Maps Apple Maps suffers from significant reliability issues, including constantly stopping navigation in the background R3, showing users off the freeway or in lakes R7, providing duplicate locations R4, and taking unnecessary detours or wrong routes R16. Map updates are slow, leading to outdated lane guidance and road closures not being reflected R9. Some users report the app not working at all or crashing R10.
Google Maps Google Maps is generally seen as accurate but has recently become very glitchy for some users, losing location mid-trip or crashing . Users report it suggesting illegal turns and nonexistent roads , routing through closed roads , and providing false 'less traffic' suggestions . The app also has issues with speed limit detection and lagging or locking up .
Price/Value tieR19R36R43R64
Apple Maps Apple Maps is a free app, but recent user complaints mention the introduction of ads, which is a major point of frustration R19R36R43.
Google Maps Google Maps is free to download. While some users complain about ads influencing suggested locations R64, the core navigation remains free.
Support tieR1R10R31R73
Apple Maps Apple Maps users express frustration with Apple's lack of response to complaints and slow fixes for basic problems R10R31. The inability to make it the default mapping app is also a common complaint R1.
Google Maps Google Maps users often provide feedback, but there are complaints that the navigation keeps getting worse despite this . Some users report issues with unsupported links R73 and the app pausing music for no reason R81R87R91.
Pick Apple Maps if

you prioritize privacy features, appreciate a clean interface, and are willing to tolerate occasional navigation inaccuracies and missing features R6.

Pick Google Maps if

you need a generally more reliable and feature-rich navigation experience, are accustomed to Google's ecosystem, and value user reviews for places .

Evidence note: Many Google Maps reviews are for specific businesses, not the app itself, which skews the review pool. Recent negative reviews for both apps highlight issues introduced by updates, suggesting a decline in user satisfaction for core functionality.

Frequently asked

Does Apple Maps show traffic information?
Apple Maps does show real-time traffic reports to help users understand the best route R11, but some users complain about not being able to see traffic jams directly on the map R5.
Can I use Apple Maps offline?
The provided reviews do not contain information about Apple Maps' offline capabilities.
Why is Google Maps pausing my music?
Google Maps has a bug where it keeps pausing Apple Music or causing music glitches even when voice navigation is turned off, which is very irritating for users R81R87R91.
Are there ads in Apple Maps?
Yes, recent updates to Apple Maps have introduced ads, which many users find frustrating and a reason to switch to third-party alternatives R19R36R43.
Does Google Maps have a multi-stop feature?
While Google Maps allows adding stops, users are requesting a dedicated 'multi-trip tab' to easily plug in and save multiple locations in a row for sequential trips, rather than inputting single trips each time R72.

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. [R5] Apple Maps 4/5 · US Missing something: I can't see the traffic jam on the map. Please fix it!!
  2. [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
  3. [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
  4. [R14] Apple Maps 5/5 · US Speed meter please: Can you please add the speed meter? And more information about the routes we choose it.
  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. [R16] Apple Maps 1/5 · US This app is insult to over 20 years of GPS technology: Which do you want to hear about, Apple? The annoying hand-holding voice interface that will tell you to turn 5 times approaching a simple turn and then throw in one more DURING the turn? Or we could talk about directions that include driving 2 or 3 miles in the wrong direction only to be told to U-TURN? Your app is stupid.
  7. [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?
  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. [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.
  12. [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.
  13. [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.
  14. [R64] 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
  15. [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.
  16. [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
  17. [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
  18. [R73] Google Maps 1/5 · US Unsupported link error: Whenever I try to open a link it shows ‘Unsupported link, Google maps can’t open the link’. Too much annoying and disturbing.
  19. [R81] Google Maps 3/5 · US Keeps pausing apple music: Keeps pausing apple music for no reason. I don’t have voice navigation turned on. Very irritating. Fix it
  20. [R87] Google Maps 3/5 · US bugs: my favorite maps app but it makes my music glitch in my car now. very annoying and i’m thinking of switching to waze
  21. [R91] 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
  22. [R72] 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.

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