Most everybody has relied on Google Maps at one point or another for navigational purposes. Whether driving, relying on public transit, or even walking on foot, Maps is a potent GPS-powered utility that streamlines the process of getting from point A to point B.

Of course, there are several other navigation apps available on the market, including from big players like Apple and Microsoft. Then, there are smaller entities like Waze: an independent Israeli startup service founded in 2008, which was then purchased by Google back in 2013.

Considering Google now owns and operates both Maps and Waze under its in-house Geo division, this begs the question of which service is superior for everyday travel. I’ve used both products on and off throughout the years, and there are three major factors that still keep me firmly on team Waze in 2026.

• 

  OS

  ios, Android

  Price

  Free

  Waze is a popular navigation app available on iOS and Android devices. You can get real-time traffic updates and road alerts to help make your commute as smooth as possible.

  
  

• 

  OS

  iOS, Android

  Brand

  Google

  Price

  Free

  Google Maps is the most commonly used navigational app for traveling. The tool helps drivers, commuters, walkers, and cyclists get to where they are going.

  
  

Waze offers superior real-time updates

Dynamic rerouting, traffic and incident reporting, and speedier commutes

Waze first made a name for itself by way of offering the most advanced real-time updating system in the mapping space. The service relies on user-submitted data on traffic jams, car accidents, dangerous road conditions due to weather, and more. All these metrics are then synthesized, allowing for dynamic rerouting to get to your destination as fast as technically possible given the current conditions.

Yes, Google Maps offers its own limited set of rerouting options and traffic warnings, but it’s a far less robust system than the one offered natively by Waze. There’s also far less friction when it comes to submitting road condition data within Waze ( you can simply use your voice as of late last year), adding incentive to contribute to the larger information network it offers.

Waze could save you from a speeding ticket

Police sighting reports and speed trap alerts

In addition to real-time traffic and road condition updates, Waze allows users to submit local police sightings and hidden speed trap locations into the app’s database. Of course, speeding is never recommended when out on the road, but having the additional knowledge about if and when police radar is in use can help discourage traffic violations from occurring in the first place. This makes streets safer on the whole, while also making it easier to locate on-duty officers in the event of an emergency.

Waze is a more charming experience

A welcoming user interface with cute sidekick characters

Last but certainly not least, Waze is simply a more fun product to use than Google Maps. The app’s interface is warmer and more human-centric when compared to Google Maps’ cold and calculated aesthetic, which goes a long way in making the average commute feel less like a chore and more like a worthwhile experience. Waze also offers a collection of fifty sidekick characters and counting, each with its own distinct voice, avatar icon, and personality quirks that add a dash of personality to the mix.