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

HERE WeGo Maps & Navigation vs Google Maps

HERE WeGo Maps & Navigation 3.7★ · Free to download 65
Winner Google Maps
Google Maps 4.7★ · Free to download 80

Google Maps is generally the superior choice due to its more reliable search functionality and broader feature set, despite recent negative feedback on its search updates, while HERE WeGo Maps & Navigation struggles with consistency and CarPlay integration.

Full reviews: HERE WeGo Maps & Navigation · Google Maps

Google Maps, with a lifetime rating of 4.68, offers robust navigation and a wide array of features, though recent updates have drawn criticism for its search functionality. HERE WeGo Maps & Navigation, rated 3.69, is praised for its privacy and offline maps but suffers from inconsistent performance, buggy CarPlay support, and less effective search.

Head to head

Features and Functionality edge: Google MapsR1R3R4R6
HERE WeGo Maps & Navigation HERE WeGo Maps & Navigation offers offline map downloads, which is a significant advantage for areas with no service, and allows users to set max speed for accurate arrival times R1R12R21. However, it lacks traffic information in some regions, struggles with finding points of interest near landmarks, and doesn't offer a 'report a faster route' feature R4R6R3. Users also report issues with voice navigation disappearing or not working with Bluetooth .
Google Maps Google Maps is praised for its comprehensive features and overall usefulness . It provides detailed location information and is considered excellent for general navigation . However, recent updates have significantly hampered its search functionality, making it difficult to find nearby restaurants, gas stations, or other points of interest without being redirected to Google Search or AI R64R73R76. Some users also desire a multi-trip tab for sequential destinations .
Ease of Use tieR1R2R6R10
HERE WeGo Maps & Navigation HERE WeGo Maps & Navigation is described as easy to use and having a clean, uncluttered design by some users R2R20. However, others find the app confusing, difficult to navigate, or report issues with the user experience when searching for locations R6R10. The process for adding stops is also criticized for not ordering them by distance R1.
Google Maps Google Maps has historically been easy to use, with many users relying on it for years . However, recent updates have made the search function less intuitive, forcing users to scroll or use AI for information that was previously readily available . Some users also report issues with zooming and shrinking not being centered .
Reliability and Performance tieR2R5R12R17
HERE WeGo Maps & Navigation HERE WeGo Maps & Navigation receives mixed reviews for reliability. Some users find it accurate and smooth R2R20, especially for avoiding narrow roads in certain regions R5. However, many report frequent crashes, blank screens on startup, and glitches when connected to CarPlay R12R17. Navigation can be slow, causing missed turns, and the app sometimes misidentifies exits . Map updates are also reported to be problematic or slow .
Google Maps Google Maps is generally seen as reliable, but it has its issues. Users report glitches, lagging, and occasional freezing, especially when connected to Apple CarPlay . Some users also note that the app can suggest illegal turns or non-existent roads and that the speed limit detection can be slow . A significant concern is the reported deletion of timeline data and broken offline maps, which make the app useless without service .
CarPlay/Android Auto Integration tieR9R12R17R24
HERE WeGo Maps & Navigation HERE WeGo Maps & Navigation has significant issues with CarPlay integration. Users report glitches, the map zooming in too far, the app not appearing in CarPlay, or not following the driving direction R12R17R24. It also lacks features like dashboard view and voice commands through CarPlay R9R24.
Google Maps Google Maps also experiences problems with CarPlay, with reports of crashing and shutting down when connected . Additionally, some users find that the navigation screen does not follow their car, requiring manual scrolling .
Privacy and Data Collection edge: HERE WeGo Maps & NavigationR9R20R32
HERE WeGo Maps & Navigation HERE WeGo Maps & Navigation is appreciated by users for collecting less personal data than other GPS apps and for running independently without constantly asking for logins or extra permissions, appealing to those concerned about privacy R9R20R32.
Google Maps Google Maps is not directly reviewed on its privacy practices in the provided reviews, but its status as a Google product implies a different approach to data collection compared to HERE WeGo Maps & Navigation, which explicitly highlights its privacy advantages R9R20R32.
Pick HERE WeGo Maps & Navigation if

you prioritize privacy and offline map capabilities, especially if driving in specific international regions where it performs well, and are willing to tolerate occasional bugs and limited search functionality R5R9R20.

Pick Google Maps if

you need comprehensive mapping and navigation with a wide range of features, are comfortable with Google's ecosystem, and can overlook recent frustrations with its search interface .

Evidence note: Google Maps reviews are heavily skewed by recent negative feedback regarding search functionality, which impacts its overall perceived performance despite its high lifetime rating. Many positive Google Maps reviews are for specific businesses, not the app itself. HERE WeGo Maps & Navigation has a smaller review base, making some comparisons less robust.

Frequently asked

Does HERE WeGo Maps & Navigation offer offline maps?
Yes, HERE WeGo Maps & Navigation allows users to download maps for offline use, which is a key feature for areas with no internet service R12R21.
What are the main issues with Google Maps' search function?
Recent updates to Google Maps have made its search function less effective, often failing to display nearby restaurants, gas stations, or other points of interest directly on the map, instead redirecting users to Google Search or AI R64R73R76R82.
Is HERE WeGo Maps & Navigation good for CarPlay?
HERE WeGo Maps & Navigation has significant issues with CarPlay, including glitches, the map not following the driving direction, and the app sometimes not appearing in CarPlay at all R12R24R31R45.

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] HERE WeGo Maps & Navigation 1/5 · US 1 good feature: The only thing I like about this is that I can set my max speed to get accurate arrival times. The adding stop feature doesn’t add the stop in order of distance it tags it into the end of the trip and says to backtrack the whole way back after arriving at final destination.
  2. [R3] HERE WeGo Maps & Navigation 3/5 · US Good-ish app but better competitors (Google Maps, etc.): Hi. I wish this app had a report a faster route feature because I am finding in my area that Google Maps provides me with faster routes. I googled does here we go let you report faster routes and here is the answer Google Ai gave me: HERE WeGo does not feature a manual, user submitted "report a faster route" button to instantly alter algorit
  3. [R4] HERE WeGo Maps & Navigation 2/5 · US Not good in the usa: Does not have traffic information or 511 data
  4. [R6] HERE WeGo Maps & Navigation 3/5 · US Needs better searching near landmarks: One thing that I find difficult about this app is that it’s hard to find restaurants or coffee, shops, etc., near landmarks. That’s my most common use case for map apps. Either this app is really not built to do that or the UX is too confusing to easily put in a landmark and then have it show restaurants or other things near it.
  5. [R2] HERE WeGo Maps & Navigation 5/5 · US 100%: Aplicación precisa y fácil de utilizar.
  6. [R10] HERE WeGo Maps & Navigation 2/5 · US Confusing: I’m not a big fan of this app, the directions are ok.
  7. [R5] HERE WeGo Maps & Navigation 4/5 · US Must Have for Ireland: The Burren Visitor Centre recommended this app for driving in Co. Clare, and it’s a game changer. After a week full of Apple Maps taking us on tight, one-lane back country roads (with traffic going both ways, not fun), HERE WeGo has kept us on formal roads everywhere possible, speeding both driving comfort and trip times by a huge margin. It isn’t the most sophisticated app (
  8. [R12] HERE WeGo Maps & Navigation 3/5 · US Not quite there: I recently went on vacation and used it as an opportunity to test out more features. I knew we’d have no service in some areas so I downloaded the maps of 3 different states we’d be passing through. Idk if its a compatibility issue or what but when my phone was connected to the car through apple airplay, the image of the map/route would glitch. The map would frequently zoom in w
  9. [R17] HERE WeGo Maps & Navigation 4/5 · US Beautiful, Functional: I have been using this app for several months and am loving the clean design and many of the features. Though, the CarPlay implementation seems to be a bit buggy especially during navigation when WeGo is minimized. Additionally, the app will white screen when opening it for the first time. I would love to see more features and customization options added, both functional fea
  10. [R9] HERE WeGo Maps & Navigation 3/5 · US Not bad: I’ve been using this app for about a month. Very appreciative of the fact that it collects less personal data than some of the other GPS apps. It does an okay job at choosing routes. Offline mode is a nice feature. I just wish that when using this through CarPlay there was the option to ask for directions via voice command.
  11. [R24] HERE WeGo Maps & Navigation 3/5 · US CarPlay features lacking: I like that it is not apple or google but I need dashboard view in CarPlay in order for it to be my daily driver
  12. [R20] HERE WeGo Maps & Navigation 5/5 · US Highly recommended: This is an awesome GPS app that was recommended to me and it has been a great find. There is no sign up, no account, no hassle, it works right out of the box. The maps are clear, the routing is smooth, and it does not feel cluttered like a lot of other navigation apps. I really appreciate that it runs independently without constantly asking for logins or extra permissions. As
  13. [R32] HERE WeGo Maps & Navigation 4/5 · US Nice app: I appreciate this app especially for being more private than the mainline navigation apps out there. It does have a weird bug of trying to redirect you if you’re at a stoplight too long, but fixes itself when you keep driving. Also id love it to pause my podcast whenever it talks :)
  14. [R21] HERE WeGo Maps & Navigation 3/5 · US Offline use: Does anybody know why off-line maps download so much faster on an iPhone than on an android phone and an android tablet?
  15. [R64] Google Maps 2/5 · US New updates disabled some searches: Some of the common searches like restaurants, attractions, gas etc. are not showing on the maps and redirects you to google search. The only time it works is when you’re on incognito mode.
  16. [R73] Google Maps 1/5 · US Something broke recently: I can no longer search for nearby locations without being told to use Google Search or AI. I am not going to do either, and I am going to open up Apple Maps.
  17. [R76] Google Maps 1/5 · US Wtf are you doing Google?: This new update is atrocious. You can’t find anything near you. It makes ZERO sense. I type in the word “food” or “pizza” into google maps and instead of giving me nearby business I’m shown photos based on some obscure ranking that applies to business far beyond my nearby location. This is unacceptable. It goes without saying if they don’t fix this I’m not using their pr
  18. [R82] Google Maps 1/5 · US No longer able to search for restaurants: I’m only given search by photos of food or exiting the app and using google search. No idea why they made their app worse
  19. [R31] HERE WeGo Maps & Navigation 2/5 · US Not the best in CarPlay: If the map rotated and followed in the direction that you are driving, it will be a five star review absolutely. With Google or Apple Maps I could tap on the locate me button and it allows me to either look at the map display pointing north or in the direction that I am turning and driving this does not do that.
  20. [R45] HERE WeGo Maps & Navigation 3/5 · US App does not show up in CarPlay: Although advertised as working with CarPlay, the current version of the app does not show up in the list under Settings-General-CarPlay nor does it appear on the car stereo. It’s a shame, because I prefer Here WeGo over Google Maps and Apple Maps.

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