Here's why Google Maps is still better than Apple Maps

by Daniel Petrov / Jul 11, 2018, 9:08 AM

Level of detail in Google vs Apple Maps

Apple Maps had a rough start, but then the company started pouring a lot more resources (and thinking) into improving it so that it is now perfectly usable for your day-to-day navigation purposes. Heck, six years after its introduction, the Apple Maps app is now starting to collect its own data, with a fleet of vehicles equipped with cameras and LIDARs flooding the streets of California to take their own view on things, instead of relying on third-party mapping data.

The problem? Well, that's still six years behind Google, whose Street View cars have been recording the surroundings from Vancouver to Vladivostok for eternity, and has now launch a big project of updating them... yet again. Looking for a restaurant on a Sunday afternoon? Google Maps. Shoe repair for your broken heel? Google Maps. How to get from the airport to the suburbs on public transit? Well, here's the next one departing in two minutes around the corner.

You catch the drift, but Google Maps is still way ahead of Apple in the navigation game, and the latest user survey comes to prove it. Market researchers from the Manifest took the two apps to task, and asked around to see which one is more popular and why. It turns around that Google Maps plus Waze (again Google-owned) hold a vast 79% usage share, followed by Apple Maps with 11%. Burn.

That's not all, though, as, when asked why they prefer their first navigation choices, the respondents cited a litany of features that Google does better, such as clearer directions, more useful features, better interface, bike and pedestrian options and so on, outgunning Apple Maps in almost every important category imaginable. If you have never used Apple Maps, and wonder how much better the mapping and directions could be, just take a peek at the level of detail that state capitals were presented with on both platforms above.

Google vs Apple Maps

Graph-2-Reasons-People-Use-Their-Favorite-Navigation-App.png

Graph-4-Northeast-Uses-Navigation-Apps-for-Walking-Public-Transit-Cycling-Directions-Most.png

source: The Manifest & JustinObeirne

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35 Comments

1. path45th

Posts: 402; Member since: Sep 11, 2016

You look for a shop to repair your shoes then being bombarded with shoe ads on the internet for months. No thanks.

posted on Jul 11, 2018, 9:17 AM 4

3. TechNeck

Posts: 649; Member since: Aug 29, 2014

That literally has never happened to me or anyone I know that use Google Maps.

posted on Jul 11, 2018, 9:29 AM 24

16. apple-rulz

Posts: 2005; Member since: Dec 27, 2016

Right, because you and everyone you know is exempt from Google using your data.

posted on Jul 11, 2018, 1:02 PM 2

18. TechNeck

Posts: 649; Member since: Aug 29, 2014

You're implying that I said we were exempt when I literally said that hasn't happened to me or anyone I know. If you can't accept that with your biased way of thinking, please don't reply to my comments.

posted on Jul 11, 2018, 1:25 PM 8

21. apple-rulz

Posts: 2005; Member since: Dec 27, 2016

If Google hasn’t used your data or the data of anyone you know, that would mean you’re exempt. That is exactly what you were implying. The only one biased is you, with your delusion that you and everyone you know isn’t data mined by Google.

posted on Jul 11, 2018, 1:58 PM 2

23. Kopek

Posts: 3; Member since: Jul 04, 2017

You are trolling. Google maps search doesn't result in ads. When searching for restaurant Google would not start bombarding you with ads for restaurants. I have used it a lot and you have not used it seems like. Google search though is another topic.

posted on Jul 11, 2018, 3:12 PM 3

27. rouyal

Posts: 1573; Member since: Jan 05, 2018

He/she wasn't implying anything, you just read into it the way you wanted. I agree with him, I've been using Google Maps for years and never got 'bombarded' with ads for anything I searched for. In fact, never got an ad for anything I searched for.

posted on Jul 11, 2018, 6:03 PM 2

28. TechNeck

Posts: 649; Member since: Aug 29, 2014

Nowhere in my comment was said that we were exempt from anything nor was I implying it, for the last time. And calling me biased when you have a username like that is completely hypocritical and idiotic.

posted on Jul 11, 2018, 9:14 PM 1

30. iushnt

Posts: 3085; Member since: Feb 06, 2013

Google would definatelt use the data but won’t disturb the user. This is win win for both..

posted on Jul 11, 2018, 9:57 PM 1

29. iushnt

Posts: 3085; Member since: Feb 06, 2013

That has never happened to me too!! Google Maps is just too awesome..

posted on Jul 11, 2018, 9:56 PM 0

31. therealestmc

Posts: 679; Member since: Jul 23, 2012

It has happened to me but I don't have a problem with that. I like Waze better. Google map has gotten me lost so many times. Plus it's very inaccurate on military bases.

posted on Jul 11, 2018, 10:04 PM 0

5. JCASS889

Posts: 502; Member since: May 18, 2018

you need to check your google ad info collection setting in your account

posted on Jul 11, 2018, 9:41 AM 4

7. RebelwithoutaClue unregistered

Apart from the fact that this doesn't work that way, why would you care if it did? You're not going to see more ads because of it, just more specific ads. Also you can turn off personal ads if that bothers you.

posted on Jul 11, 2018, 10:11 AM 11

17. lyndon420

Posts: 6714; Member since: Jul 11, 2012

Give it time 'cause apple is getting into the ad game...just in case you didn't know ;)

posted on Jul 11, 2018, 1:14 PM 1

24. cmdacos

Posts: 4084; Member since: Nov 01, 2016

After failing at it the first time around...

posted on Jul 11, 2018, 4:32 PM 0

26. Venom

Posts: 3388; Member since: Dec 14, 2017

You have to fall a few times before you start walking.

posted on Jul 11, 2018, 5:42 PM 0

2. GreenMan

Posts: 2697; Member since: Nov 09, 2015

Here's why Google Maps is still better than Apple Maps. I thought that goes without saying. Like Google Assistant vs. Siri. Oh well, G'Day!

posted on Jul 11, 2018, 9:20 AM 14

4. antmiu2

Posts: 550; Member since: Jun 19, 2011

Waze > Google Maps

posted on Jul 11, 2018, 9:41 AM 3

6. iPhoneFanboy

Posts: 286; Member since: Apr 21, 2018

This 100%. Gets me to my destination faster with less traffic also. Google Maps has fxxxed up several times for me. It doesn't even know where the hell the one of the IRS department's is in CT. Took me in loops for 10 minutes until I decided enough's enough and pulled over to ask someone.

posted on Jul 11, 2018, 10:09 AM 2

8. sgodsell

Posts: 7176; Member since: Mar 16, 2013

Give me a break. As if that happened to you. Besides I remember you stating that you have been using Apple maps for years now. So when did you last try Google maps? Yeah, we all thought the same thing you liar.

posted on Jul 11, 2018, 10:42 AM 9

11. sgodsell

Posts: 7176; Member since: Mar 16, 2013

Btw Google's maps has had Waze traffic updates since 2013. Maybe it has something to do with Google owning Waze as well.

posted on Jul 11, 2018, 11:06 AM 4

14. Leo_MC

Posts: 7178; Member since: Dec 02, 2011

Waze traffic info goes to GM after a while.

posted on Jul 11, 2018, 12:40 PM 0

32. therealestmc

Posts: 679; Member since: Jul 23, 2012

Google map is pretty bad on many areas. Believe it or not. Waze is much better in my opinion.

posted on Jul 11, 2018, 10:06 PM 1

33. iPhoneFanboy

Posts: 286; Member since: Apr 21, 2018

Your memory but be as terrible as Androids latest OS adoption, LMAO. Never stated that. I always use Google Maps, and Waze when I NEED to be somewhere important.

posted on Jul 11, 2018, 11:35 PM 0

20. tedkord

Posts: 17295; Member since: Jun 17, 2009

Sure!

posted on Jul 11, 2018, 1:49 PM 2

34. iPhoneFanboy

Posts: 286; Member since: Apr 21, 2018

Cry more

posted on Jul 11, 2018, 11:35 PM 0

35. sissy246

Posts: 7065; Member since: Mar 04, 2015

Agree He is one of the biggest blind ifanboys on here. Bet he has never even used Gmaps.

posted on Jul 12, 2018, 10:35 AM 1

9. RebelwithoutaClue unregistered

It depends, I prefer Waze over GMaps when it comes to navigation in my car (especially because Waze reports traffic & speed traps). But in general just looking up stuff, I prefer Google maps. Still, it's weird that Google owns Waze and doesn't merge them together in one service.