Google Maps vs Waze - which one is better?

As a PCO driver, choosing the right navigation app is crucial for efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Two of the most popular options are Waze and Google Maps. Both are owned by Google but offer distinct features. This guide will help you understand their differences and determine which app best suits your needs.

What is Waze?

Waze is a community-driven navigation app that provides real-time traffic updates, accident alerts, road closures, and speed trap notifications, all contributed by its active user base, acting as your real-time road assistant.

This crowdsourced approach allows Waze to deliver highly dynamic and timely traffic information, making it ideal for drivers looking to avoid congestion and find the fastest routes.

What is Google Maps?

Google Maps is a comprehensive mapping service offering detailed information about locations worldwide. It provides various features, including navigation for driving, walking, cycling, and public transit.

Google Maps is like a traditional GPS, with its goal is to get you from A to B using the smartest route. With its latest updates, Google Maps uses numerous factors to offer you the best route, such as real time traffic conditions, number of street lights, and avoiding road tolls. 

Google Maps offers extensive data on businesses, landmarks, and points of interest, making it a versatile tool for various navigation needs.

The main differences between Google Maps and Waze

Although they serve the same purpose, to make navigation easier for drivers, Google Maps and Waze each have their strengths, as shown in the table below.

While both apps aim to assist with navigation, they differ in several key aspects:

• Data Source and Updates: Waze relies on user-generated reports for real-time updates, allowing for quick responses to traffic changes. Google Maps utilises historical data and AI to provide accurate and reliable navigation.

• Interface and User Experience: Waze offers a cleaner, easier-to-read interface, focusing on driving-related information. Google Maps provides a more detailed map with information on various modes of transportation and points of interest.

• Features: Waze focuses on providing the fastest routes and real-time traffic alerts, while Google Maps aims to give you the most fuel-efficient route while offering additional features like business information, reviews, and multiple transportation options.

The similar features of Google Maps and Waze

• Car Refuelling: Both apps locate refuelling stations, but they excel in different areas. Waze provides real-time price updates through user-generated data, making it ideal for finding affordable fuel quickly. Conversely, Google Maps offers comprehensive information on EV charging stations, including filter options by charger type and real-time availability.

• App Interface: Waze features a sleek, minimalistic interface favored by many drivers for its simplicity and user-friendly design. Google Maps, while more traditional, provides a wealth of information suitable for various transportation modes. The choice between the two depends on user preference.

• Data Usage: Google Maps allows users to download maps for offline navigation, conserving mobile data and battery life—a significant advantage in areas with poor connectivity. However, offline mode lacks real-time traffic updates. Waze requires a constant data connection to deliver up-to-date traffic information, which may increase data usage but ensures timely updates on road conditions.

• Hands-Free Control: Both apps support hands-free, enhancing safety for drivers. Users can activate voice commands via on-screen prompts or through voice assistants like Google Assistant or Siri. Waze offers more customised voice options, while Google Maps provides a standard voice guidance system.

• Availability: Both apps are accessible on iOS and Android platforms and are compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Google Maps often comes pre-installed on devices with built-in Android systems, ensuring seamless integration. Waze requires a separate download but offers a comparable experience once installed.

IRL Driving Example using directions from London's Picadilly Circus to the Splend office

Waze offered multiple routes, the best being a 7 mile trip that would take 33 minutes. Google Maps offered a similar route in distance (6.9 miles) but the ETA was 43 minutes.

They’re displaying almost the same route, but Waze knows a few turnarounds that will save you 10 minutes — precious time in ridesharing. 

Both services detect road conditions from the number of users on the road. However, compared to Waze, Google Maps doesn't change your route in order to avoid traffic hazards.

Did you know? A user actually tested this feature on both apps. On the same route, Google Maps detected only two speed cameras on a 45 miles trip to London, while Waze got every single one.

Take Note: Recent Updates and Features

Both apps have seen significant updates to enhance user experience:

• Google Maps: Integration of AI-powered features, such as personalized recommendations for activities and improved parking information. Enhanced incident reporting with larger icons for road closures, construction, speed cameras, and police presence.

• Waze: Support for new types of traffic camera reporting, including cameras for bus lane violations and seat belt checks. Introduction of event information features to notify users of nearby road closures due to events like concerts or marathons.

Which app should drivers choose?

The choice between Waze and Google Maps depends on your specific needs:

• Choose Waze if: You prioritise real-time, community-driven updates and prefer a straightforward interface focused on driving.

• Choose Google Maps if: You value comprehensive information about locations, multiple transportation options, and AI-driven features.

Some drivers opt to use both apps simultaneously to leverage the strengths of each. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your personal preferences and driving habits.

Still want to learn more between the differences between these navigation apps? Watch the below in-depth video.

About Splend

At Splend, we believe in drivers. We know their vehicles need to work harder than most; that they drive more miles than most; that their insurance is hefty; their maintenance costs high and that they can face unreasonable finance rates – which is a heavy load to carry on their own.

That’s why at Splend, we exist to support rideshare drivers with a new model, that takes all those car ownership costs, and provides them for less, with lower purchase prices, better rates, lower servicing and insurance costs – all for one weekly repayment, all in one place.