Waze vs. Google Maps: Which Is the Better Route Planner?

Waze vs. Google Maps: which one takes the crown? This debate has been going on since navigation apps first became popular.

The truth is, both Google Maps and Waze can get you from point A to point B.

Yet, we use these apps for more than just simple directions. What if you want to add a few stops along the way, find parking, or use the app offline? That is where Google Maps and Waze start to differ.

We tested both apps in different scenarios to see which app came out on top. Here is what we found:

Comparing the Interface

A navigation app’s design can make or break the user experience. A clear, well-organized interface allows drivers to glance at the screen and instantly find the information they need. If an app feels cluttered or confusing, it quickly becomes more of a distraction than a helpful tool.

This is especially crucial for GPS apps, where quick access to routes, directions, and road conditions is essential. Drivers shouldn’t have to waste time figuring out how to use the app while they’re on the move.

Google Maps Interface Features

Google Maps does a better job in this area. While some users had mixed feelings about its recent visual updates—especially the tweaks to color schemes in light and dark mode—the overall layout remains simple and effective. Let's elaborate on what the interface offers in more detail.

• Immersive View: This 3D visualization tool blends Street View with aerial imagery, giving users a lifelike preview of destinations, including traffic and weather projections.
• Lens in Maps: By using a phone camera, users can scan surroundings to access real-time details on businesses, such as hours, reviews, and crowd levels.
• Streamlined Design: A February 2024 update introduced a cleaner interface with a bottom sheet layout, making directions and search results more accessible without covering the map.
• Live Updates: Users can track public transport in real time and report incidents like roadblocks and speed traps to improve navigation accuracy.
• AI-Powered Assistance: Intelligent recommendations now suggest nearby restaurants, activities, and parking options, helping users plan their trips effortlessly.

These features make Google Maps an all-in-one tool for efficient travel and discovery.

Waze Interface Features

Waze, on the other hand, takes a more playful approach with its bold colors and animated icons. While this style might have been appealing years ago, modern UI trends lean toward minimalism and clarity. Let's explore its interface features in detail.

Waze stands out with real-time updates and user-driven features that make driving more efficient and safer.

• Live Traffic Insights: Drivers get instant alerts on congestion, accidents, and roadblocks, thanks to reports from other users.
• Hands-Free Reporting: A voice-activated feature lets users report hazards or traffic without touching their phone.
• School Zone Warnings: Alerts notify drivers when they’re near schools, helping them slow down in high-risk areas.
• AI-Powered Assistance: Waze’s integration with AI enhances route recommendations and provides context-aware suggestions.
• Emergency Alerts: In some locations, Waze warns about approaching ambulances, helping drivers clear the way in time.

With real-time data and a user-focused design, Waze ensures a smoother and safer driving experience.

On the other hand, Waze tends to flood the screen with unnecessary details, like other drivers’ avatars and pop-up notifications. To get a less cluttered view, many users have to manually adjust settings to tone down the visual noise.

Google Maps vs Waze: Coverage and Accessibility

No matter what device you use or what car you drive, you’ll likely have access to both Google Maps and Waze. Since Google owns both apps, they’re available on iOS and Android, and they work with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and even Android Automotive OS.

Google Maps is a slightly better alternative for cars running Android Automotive OS because it comes pre-installed on these systems, while Waze requires a separate download. While this is not a major inconvenience, it does mean Google Maps is ready to use from the start.

Both platforms also offer web-based versions, but they’re limited to planning routes and checking locations—live navigation isn’t an option. However, you can save destinations to your account and access them later on your phone.

Plus, both services include traffic overlays, so you can check road conditions before heading out, just like you would on mobile.

For Real-Time Traffic Updates: Waze

Waze stands out for its crowd-sourced traffic data where users report incidents, so you get real-time updates on what’s happening on the road.

However, Google Maps is becoming more like Waze, and that’s a big deal for drivers who rely on real-time road alerts. Recent updates have introduced Waze’s well-known incident reporting system to Google Maps, allowing users to see reports on police speed traps, accidents, and other road hazards.

Additionally, Google Maps is making it easier to report incidents by giving this feature a more visible placement within the app—much like Waze’s long-standing system. These changes suggest Google is blending the best aspects of both platforms to improve navigation for all users.

When it comes to Waze alerts, you'll get information on more than just traffic jams. You will also be notified about:

• Road closures
• Speed traps
• Speed cameras
• Crashes
• Lane closures

If traffic patterns shift, Waze will adjust your route to help you reach your destination more quickly.

Moreover, while Google Maps offers traffic updates, they’re still slower than you might expect for “real-time” data. Plus, it doesn’t automatically re-route you. If you miss an alert, you could get stuck on a slower route.

Still, with the newly added features like the incident reporting, Google Maps should be able to give users more immediate information about road conditions.

Waze lets you customize which alerts you want to receive. However, some users find the constant notifications distracting. If you prefer fewer alerts, you should adjust the settings to turn off specific notifications.

Since Waze relies on crowd-sourced data, occasional false reports can happen.

Need Help Finding Parking? Waze is Your Go-To

When you search for a place on Waze, it automatically suggests nearby parking spots, including the prices!

Google Maps doesn’t have this feature, so finding parking may take longer when you need to drive around the area looking for a spot.

However, once parked, Waze doesn’t offer walking directions to your final destination. To do that, you'll need to switch to Google Maps.

For Voice Commands: It's a Tie

Waze and Google Maps work on iOS and Android devices, allowing you to use voice commands for hands-free navigation.

However, the way you use voice commands differs slightly:

• On Android, just say “Hey Google” and ask for directions.
• On the iPhone, you need to be more specific. If you don’t say “directions home with Waze,” Siri might default to Apple Maps.

In our view, there’s not much difference between the two apps when discussing voice commands.

So, if you want hands-free navigation, either app will do the job.

For Making Pit Stops: Google Maps

Are you planning a road trip? At some point, you’ll need to stop for gas — and maybe a snack or two.

Both Waze and Google Maps let you add stops during your trip.

Unlike Waze, Google Maps is more user-friendly and detailed. Plus, it lets you add multiple stops.

With Waze, you can only add one stop. It can be a custom location, or you can choose from three preset options:

• Gas stations
• Restaurants
• Parking lots

Google Maps lets you add up to 10 stops, with more information along the way.

When you set a route, you can search for a variety of stops along the way, such as:

• Accommodations
• Attractions
• Services
• Food and drinks

Just tap the type of stop you’re looking for, and Maps will show you a list of options along your route, complete with ratings, hours, addresses, and more.

For example, if you are driving from San Francisco to Los Angeles and need to stretch your legs (and grab a quick bite), Google Maps will show you nearby places to stop.

Google Maps lets you search for coffee shops along your route and provides helpful information about each one.

You can even tap to order online if you are in a hurry. That’s pretty handy.

Need to stop for gas? Google Maps will show you gas stations along the way, including prices.

Since these stops are on your route, you won’t have to worry about going too far off track or rerouting your trip.

Waze also allows you to add stops, but Google Maps offers more options and detailed info. You can easily add up to 10 stops along your journey without any hassle.

For The Fastest Route: It's a Tie

Are you trying to reach your destination as quickly as possible, with no other concerns? There isn’t much difference between Waze and Google Maps.

Waze is known for finding the shortest route, even if it means sending you down narrow, winding side streets.

As Tom's Guide states, "Waze would tell you to drive through an active war zone to shave 5 seconds off your journey."

But in our tests, we did not notice a big difference. For example:

• During a drive through Connecticut, from the Yale University Art Gallery to the Mystic Aquarium, Waze only cut three minutes off the hour-long journey.
• On a drive from Chicago’s Fulton Market to Wrigley Field, Google Maps was one minute faster.

Namely, the real difference appears when something goes wrong, like a crash on the route. That’s when Waze may use real-time traffic updates to find an alternative route.

Overall, Waze and Google Maps usually give very similar estimated arrival times.

For Public Transport: Google Maps

Public transportation can be tricky, especially if you’re in a new city and need to be somewhere at a specific time. In many big cities, taking transit can be faster than driving!

Google Maps makes navigating public transport easy, something Waze doesn’t offer at all.

Enter your start and end points, choose public transport, and Google Maps will guide you.

It provides detailed walking directions and tells you which subway, bus, or train to take to reach your destination.

For example, if we travel from Grand Central Station in New York City to One World Trade Center, Google Maps will show us the exact route to the subway. It would also tell us how many stops to expect and the names of those stops, so we don’t accidentally miss ours.

This level of detail is perfect when navigating a busy, confusing city like New York.

We also love how Google Maps includes links to tickets and other details right at the bottom of the directions list. If we’re in a rush, it can save us time and reduce stress.

While Google Maps is great for public transit, it’s not the only app offering transit directions. Apple Maps also helps us navigate buses, trains, trams, and subways.

Unfortunately, Waze does not have this feature.

So, if we rely on public transportation, Google Maps is the better option.

If You Need More Detail Navigation: Waze

When driving on a busy highway with heavy traffic, the last thing we want is to realize we're in the wrong lane and about to miss our exit. With Waze, that scenario is less likely to happen.

Why?

Because Waze provides detailed directions.

For example, Waze keeps you in the correct lane on a four-lane highway. If the fourth lane turns into an exit, Waze warns you to stay in the first three lanes.

Google Maps, on the other hand, does not offer that warning. It only shows which lanes to be in if you need to take the exit.

Waze is particularly effective when navigating roundabouts. The app displays the exit number and provides a verbal announcement. Google Maps will tell you to take the exit but won’t show it on the screen.

It is the small details that matter. They allow us to reach our destination more quickly and with less stress.

Waze also does well in other areas, like:

• Showing the correct speed limit on most roads
• Displaying toll prices

Google Maps doesn’t always show the speed limit, and while it tells us about tolls, it doesn’t provide the exact cost.

So, if we're heading to a new place and need to make sure we get there on time (and without stress), Waze’s detailed navigation is probably the better option.

If You Want to Personalize Your Experience: Waze

Looking for a navigation app that lets us customize things to our liking? Waze is the way to go.

Waze offers plenty of options for customizing the voice that guides us. Whether it's by region or country, we can choose from a variety of voices, and sometimes even celebrity voices (though these are often limited-time promotions).

Want to change the icon for our vehicle? We can do that, too. There's also the option to change our mood, which other Waze users can see on their maps.

By actively contributing to the Waze community, we can earn special mood icons, such as a golden crown or even a T-rex.

On the other hand, Google Maps does not offer a lot in terms of customization. We can switch from the standard arrow to one of three basic 3D car icons, but the options are limited. Changing the navigation voice is possible, but there aren’t as many choices.

Customization might not be everything, but if it matters to us, Waze is the better choice.

For Biking or Walking: Google Maps

Google Maps offers something that Waze does not: directions for biking and walking. Google Maps will even mix driving and walking directions if it’s the quickest way to get somewhere. Waze, on the other hand, is mainly for drivers. It’s focused on commuting and doesn’t plan to support walking directions anytime soon.

So, if you’re exploring a new city or going for a bike ride, Google Maps is the better option. 

Google Maps Biking Features

Cyclists need more than just a map—they need smart navigation. Google Maps suggests bike-friendly routes by factoring in traffic, road types, and available bike lanes.

It also highlights steep inclines so riders can prepare for challenging terrain. In certain cities, the app connects with bike-sharing services, guiding users to nearby docking stations and showing real-time bike availability for a seamless ride.

Google Maps Walking Features

Walking in a new area? Google Maps provides clear, turn-by-turn directions with estimated travel times to keep you on track. Its AI suggests nearby spots to eat, visit, or relax based on your preferences.

The app also supports accessibility needs, offering wheelchair-friendly routes and features for visually impaired users.

If We Want to Take Our Navigation Offline: Google Maps

Do we enjoy exploring off the beaten path or traveling to remote places where cell service is limited?

If so, we need an app that lets us download offline maps to stay on track, even without a signal.

This is where Google Maps stands out.

One of its most loved features is the ability to download maps and use them offline. Here's how it works:

1. Save Maps Before Your Trip

• Open Google Maps and look up a city or region.
• Tap its name, then choose “Download map.”

2. Use Without Internet

• Once saved, you can access routes even when offline.

3. Store Maps on an SD Card

• By default, maps go to internal storage, but you can switch to an SD card in settings.

You might be wondering what the downsides of offline navigation are when using Google Maps. Offline maps don’t include live traffic updates or public transit routes.

Currently, Waze doesn’t offer offline maps. Without an internet connection, we won’t be able to search for or navigate routes.

What About Planning Multiple Routes?

Google Maps and Waze are two of the most widely used navigation apps. However, neither is great for planning multiple routes. When planning multiple routes, both Google Maps and Waze allow you to add extra destinations along your journey. However, they don't optimize these routes together, meaning you'll have to manually adjust your stops to find the best path. This can lead to inefficient routing, especially for longer trips or when multiple stops are involved.

Planning Multiple Routes in Google Maps

Google Maps makes planning trips with multiple stops straightforward but lacks automatic route optimization. To add multiple locations, simply enter your starting point, then tap "Directions" and input the final destination. You can add more stops using the "Add stop" option, though the app limits you to 10 locations.

For a smoother experience, consider third-party apps that optimize the route for you before importing it into Google Maps for navigation.

Planning Multiple Routes in Waze

Waze is great for quick, single-route navigation, but when it comes to planning multiple stops, it's not as straightforward. To map out a route with several destinations, users can integrate Waze with route planning apps like MyRouteOnline, which helps optimize routes for multiple stops, ideal for deliveries or longer trips.

If we need to create efficient routes for several vehicles — like for a delivery business — we’ll need a specialized tool like eLogii.

eLogii can optimize route planning, allowing us to focus on other important tasks.

Why It's Still Better to Use Paid Route Optimization Software Like eLogii

While apps like Google Maps and Waze are great for personal navigation, they’re not built to handle the complexities of managing multiple delivery routes.

For businesses, route optimization software like eLogii offers significant advantages, even with the cost.

eLogii streamlines route planning and ensures efficiency. It saves time and lets you focus on what matters.

Investing in such software enhances operational efficiency and reduces costs over time.

Additionally, eLogii offers real-time tracking and powerful analytics. These features help you make data-driven decisions.

With tools tailored for delivery management, eLogii ultimately provides more value than free navigation apps.