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Apple Maps vs. Google Maps: Which Is Better?

I asked Siri to add a stop at the Costco down the street, it added a stop at a Costco in LA on the other side of the country. But Siri is notoriously stupid and incompetent.

I like that Apple Maps doesn’t track and don’t allow Google apps on my phone, but I wish there were a way to put Apple Maps in a driving mode where it will show me going down the street with the speed limit and all that. It’s pretty nonfunctional to be honest.
 
turbineseaplane said:
Well - I'm using a Google Nest Audio because it flat out works better than a HomePod
(as one other example beyond maps)

I choose products that work the best for my needs

If we are going to get into moral and ethical grounds, I have news for you about ALL the MegaCorps, including Apple.
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👍 for you I’ve worked with a client and Google nest audio was horrible. So go ahead sell your information why are you on a Mac rumors site anyways?
 
I mainly use Apple Maps since I have Car Play in my vehicle. (do have google map downloaded)

1. apple calendar app entries with addresses.
2. quick access to suggestions / favorites
3. "hey Siri, Directions to"

are my big reasons.

I do prefer the reviews of businesses built into Google Map vs Apple Map opening Yelp..
(I'm 100% sure Yelp would be dead if Apple Maps went with another option)

Google Maps are available on Apple Devices but Apple Map is not available on android.
This will always mean Google Maps stays ahead though.
 
Waze for driving. There's just no contest, it's the best.

When using public transport, Apple Maps has been a revelation.

I tried it for the first time in a long time when we had a train strike in the UK. It found a way to get me to my destination on time. I now use it every time there are transport issues or I'm going somewhere unfamiliar.
 
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It's all opinion. But I'm not a fan of the UI of Google Maps or Waze, particularly on CarPlay. And the integration with the watch makes Apple Maps a no-brainer for me, especially when I'm using it to plot the best commute route. But if I'm in unfamiliar territory, I'll often use both Apple and Google to compare routes.

EDIT:
I meant to add that, for obvious reasons, Google is much better at POI search. Apple Maps often suggests locations tens or hundreds of miles away (or even further!) when I search for local streets or restaurants.
 
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I use Google Maps when I want to experiment with routes, because Apple Maps doesn't do that at all. I use Apple Mpas whenever possible so Google doesn't get to play with my location and my life any more than needed.
 
Will Apple Maps ever get apartment navigation like Google Maps offers? IE: Input address of an apartment, punch apartment number after street name - voila, pins directly to the building within that apartment complex on Google Maps.
 
Apple Maps for me. The UI is better, the directions have always been accurate for me, but I was skeptical of their transit capabilities. I used both Apple and Google for transit directions in the DC area recently and found that both were very reliable, but Apple's was "cleaner" visually. Plus, I really enjoy the automatic integration between the iPhone & the Apple Watch, instead of having to manually load the Google Maps watch app every time.
 
icanhazmac said:
Grrrr, I hate reminders that I am still mostly using Waze over Apple Maps. Time to cut one of the last remaining ties I have to Google. I never had problems with Apple Maps directions but used Waze to know where the Fuzz is hiding, as that is crowd sourced the app with the most users wins.
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I second @icanhazmac. I live in an area, where there is (still) a lot of residential construction. This means new neighborhoods with new streets. The community-based editors have those up in Waze way before any other mapping/navigation app. I can also report road closures, which those editors have implemented within hours. Great for locals who are then alerted to, for example, an exit off the interstate being closed, which they might have taken just the previous day!

Apple should invest in an infrastructure for supporting community edited maps. Doubtlessly, there would be plenty of Apple FanBoys who would love to contribute to the quality of the Apple ecosystem.

If Apple Maps were on a par with Waze, I would drop Waze in a heartbeat. I do value privacy and a clean UI.
 
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I mostly use Apple Maps for navigation, keeping Google Maps as a backup. Both work very well in France, but I just personally prefer AM UI. Google still has a better POI database, in my experience.
 
I'll use Google Maps to discover places. I.e., I'm in an unfamiliar area and I need a meal; I open Google Maps to find a well-reviewed restaurant.

But to actually get somewhere? I'll switch over to Apple Maps. It looks better, my Watch taps me when I need to turn, Siri sounds better than Google Assistant, and the directions are just as good at this point in my area. Plus, I prefer to avoid Google tracking whenever possible.
 
I live in the city and places data is still hit or miss so when I need to find a place, especially one that recently opened or prone to misspellings I use google maps but for actual directions I much prefer Apple Maps as I usually take a subway or bike. With subways it’s much more convenient because Apple shows the train station exits so I can plan ahead on whether I should be in the front, middle, or back of the train. I also find Apple Maps much easier on the eyes and has much more glanceable information. It also has better watch integration and gives me a little buzz when my stop is coming up and it’s time to exit.
 
I use Apple Maps exclusively (in the US, Thailand and Japan) for driving, walking and public transit and have no issues with the performance and features. My only complaint is that when Maps is used with CarPlay, incoming calls are presented fullscreen and completely replaces the Map — forcing me to take my eyes off the road to switch back to the map view. I wish there was a setting to show the incoming call in a less intrusive way.
 
Google haven't updated the satellite imagery in my area for years. I can see the garden parasol of the people that used to own our house, and we've been here for three years. I think the pictures were updated briefly, but they reverted to even older images.

Apple Maps have very recent images, but it doesn't zoom in as close.

As for actual map usage. On foot, I tend to use Google, and our car has a navigation system built in.

turbineseaplane said:
Because I use Apple products?
(and many other brands as well -- don't you?)

Is it a requirement to be an Apple evangelist to participate here?
Click to expand...

Why, yes it is. lol. *wink emoji*
 
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I remember the old days when Navigon and TomTom were the competition. Navigon had really good visuals.

I tend to flip flop between Google and Apple maps. Usually pick which ever pops up first in my search.
 
For long road trips, I always prefer to use Waze. Though if I’m driving a short distance to a destination I’ve never been to before, I’ll use Apple Maps. I have Google Maps installed on my iPhone and I’ll use it on occasion, but I’m glad to see how far Apple Maps has come since it used to be horrendous.
 
Pretty much made the switch entirely to Apple Maps. The UI and navigation is now better than Google Maps in my opinion. Sometimes when traffic is really bad I still think Waze finds the best routing, but using it less and less.
 
In the UK at least, Apple Maps has been far, far superior to Google Maps for a good decade now. It still annoys me when I'm forced to open Google Maps by a website.

I'm no Apple fanboi either.
 
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