It may ask if you want to take an alternate route depending on how bad the traffic gets, but it’s not particularly aggressive about it.īut last year Google Maps changed the way it calculated its calculates its routes. Google Maps will flag traffic or obstacles it knows about on-screen, as does Waze, but the difference is Google will happily send you on the same pre-set route regardless of how things change. Rather than finding the quickest single path to your destination and leaving you to it, Waze is always analyzing conditions to try and get you there the fastest possible way.īoth services can determine traffic conditions from the number of users on the road, but Waze actually does something about it. Waze, on the other hand, is built exclusively for car and motorbike users. Google can even alert you to obstacles or traffic along the way, and give you the option of taking a different path. You could walk, drive, cycle, or take the bus, and Google Maps has something to offer. You punch in a location, and it will find a way to get you there, no matter how you plan on doing it. Google Maps is your traditional navigation app. To the point where the “winner” depends entirely on how you get around. That being said, despite both being operated by Google, they are pretty different. Winner: Tie Google Maps vs Waze: NavigationĪt their core, both Google Maps and Waze will get you where you want to go. Still you can look up directions, locations and save things to your account, which you can pick up on your phone later on. There are even versions available in desktop browsers, though they are limited by the fact you can’t get any live navigation that way. Left: Google Maps Right: Waze (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

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