Waze vs. Google Maps

[Megatomic]

How would you compare/contrast Waze and Google Maps? I use Google Maps heavily, does Waze offer anything compelling to make it a superior product?

 

[Red Storm]

I tried out Waze for a bit when I had to do a lot of driving in DC. It tried to route me the wrong way on a one way street once, and another time it sent me on a route that led to a road that was inaccessible (I don't mean unexpectedly inaccessible, I mean like the road closes every day after a certain time). Switched back to Google Maps and have not looked at any other competitor since (nor have I felt the need to).

Another thing I didn't like about Waze was how crowded the interface was. Google Maps does a much better job of presenting a clean, easy to read interface IMHO.

 

[cronos]

To put this in a simple sentence, I think Google Maps is better for traveling (new, unfamiliar place, need to know how to get from one place to the other), while Waze is better for commuting (already know the different ways to get there, but unsure of what routes to take, right now).

 

[NutBucket]

A big difference between Waze and GM is the map data. Waze is crowd-sourced; anyone can edit the map. This can be good and bad. One good thing is Waze is aware of intersections that have time-restricted turns. And, when the map is wrong you can notify the community and it will get fixed (or you can fix it yourself). So far I've had no accuracy issues with Waze. I've been using it for over 2 years daily for commuting and pretty much anything else. The realtime data (traffic, hazards, police, etc.) cannot be beat. Of course, this is all useless if there aren't many Waze users in your area.

 

[gorcorps]

I wonder how many people know that google bought waze over a year ago. They have kept them separated, but I guess they utilize Waze info to keep Google maps up to date with construction and traffic flow data, and then they've used Google's search methods to make Waze more useful when trying to find stuff nearby.

It's just funny people think of them as competitors when they're really not. Just a different focus on what you want from a navigation app.

 

[Megatomic]

So the two are actually complimentary it seems. I have been using Google Maps for both long distance and local navigation, maybe I should give Waze a shot at my local navigation. I live in a smaller city in FL and have only been here for a few months so I don't know many shortcuts and local places yet. This could be fun.

Thanks everyone.

 

[WelshBloke]

Yeah, I get roadworks popping up in Google maps that say "reported by Waze" or some such, so there's certainly sharing of data in at least one direction.

 

[NutBucket]

Yep. The difference is using GM you can't report anything as you drive. I'm not even sure if your traffic data is sent to the cloud using GM.

 

[shortylickens]

Google maps still doesnt let you properly download maps for offline use. You can do a small region, but it wipes the data quickly.

I've had other programs that let you permanently download whole a whole state.

But those had their own issues too.

 

[saratoga172]

My dad uses waze and swears by it. Always tries to convert me over but I don't use maps or nav on my phone enough.

It's actually a really cool concept and executed very well. It can be used to see active road closings, tag where police are waiting for speeders, etc.

 

[NutBucket]

If your commute involves any sort of traffic it's totally worthwhile. Hell, I use it 5:30AM just in case there's a closure or accident I don't know about. I use it so much it's burned into my phone screen!

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Yup. If you encounter heavy traffic on your commute and there are alternate routes, Waze is an excellent source. It will route you off the highway pretty easily to a faster route. Google Maps on the other hand requires the road to be practically shut down before it tells you to get on surface streets.

A big difference between Waze and GM is the map data. Waze is crowd-sourced; anyone can edit the map. This can be good and bad. One good thing is Waze is aware of intersections that have time-restricted turns. And, when the map is wrong you can notify the community and it will get fixed (or you can fix it yourself). So far I've had no accuracy issues with Waze. I've been using it for over 2 years daily for commuting and pretty much anything else. The realtime data (traffic, hazards, police, etc.) cannot be beat. Of course, this is all useless if there aren't many Waze users in your area.

You can edit the Google Map data as well. I complained once that Google Maps was not picking up that I was getting in an exit lane and was assuming I overshot the exit, and some Google Maps community guy went ahead and fixed that info.

But yeah I've had no problems with map accuracy in the Bay Area. I think many people use it here which ends up making it a pretty decent product.

I do agree the app is spammy though. The interface is crowded, and I've seen ads cover up my ETA or next step even. That's pretty dangerous. Also I bet a lot of people drive and use their phone for Waze points. How many people actually have their passengers as opposed to drivers actively using Waze anyway? Not that many I'd bet.

I did a heads up comparison back in Dec 2013 between the two products and Waze routed me on a 26 minute route to the airport from work whereas Google Maps had me sit in traffic for 44 minutes. I took the Waze route, and I got a little unlucky with the lights. The actual transit time was something around ~ 30 minutes. Still better than GMaps.

 

[shortylickens]

If your commute involves any sort of traffic it's totally worthwhile. Hell, I use it 5:30AM just in case there's a closure or accident I don't know about. I use it so much it's burned into my phone screen!

You should get a small tablet and keep that in the car for navigation.

 

[NutBucket]

My GS3 is due for replacement anyway so that will stay in the car for Waze tethered to whatever new phone I get

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Google maps still doesnt let you properly download maps for offline use. You can do a small region, but it wipes the data quickly.

I've had other programs that let you permanently download whole a whole state.

But those had their own issues too.

While Google Maps has never been truly fully offline, the 6.x implementation was at least decent. It was a separate screen allowing you to manage offline maps, and to download a new region and with a proper view selector telling you how large the region would be and what the file size would be for download.

The current interface is absolute trash and the fact that its hidden behind "OK Maps," how would someone know this after installing the app without Googling it?

 

[Megatomic]

Thanks for all the feedback, much appreciated.

 

[Crow550]

I love Waze. Go in the settings and tweak it a bit. Like if you wanna drive on dirt roads and such.

Been using it for a few years. I think it's a bit better than G-Navigation. It's my goto navigation app. A very small few times ran into a closed road but using Waze to report it helped.

Again check out the settings in the app and look at the help section.

One time was stuck in heavy traffic and someone up ahead reported that there was debris on the road which helped to avoid it.

 

[NikolaeVarius]

While Google Maps has never been truly fully offline, the 6.x implementation was at least decent. It was a separate screen allowing you to manage offline maps, and to download a new region and with a proper view selector telling you how large the region would be and what the file size would be for download.

The current interface is absolute trash and the fact that its hidden behind "OK Maps," how would someone know this after installing the app without Googling it?

I have no idea when the last time you used maps was, but you haven't had to use "Ok Maps" in the longest time.

 

[lxskllr]

I use Osmand with offline maps from OpenStreetMap. I'm sure it's not as good as Google, but it gets me where I need to go, and doesn't track me in the process. I can also add to the map if I choose to.

 

[Crow550]

I use Osmand with offline maps from OpenStreetMap. I'm sure it's not as good as Google, but it gets me where I need to go, and doesn't track me in the process. I can also add to the map if I choose to.

NavFree USA is good too.

 

[Ksyder]

One thing I just found out is that as of now Waze can only route up to 1000 miles, which isn't common usage but forced me to use Google Maps.

I drove across country and Google Maps caused me a bit of grief between rerouting and no data issues in the desert. I decided I'll have to pick up a Garmin to have for the remote areas where there is no phone signal. New Mexico and Arizona in particular had hours of driving with no cell coverage.

 

[WelshBloke]

One thing I just found out is that as of now Waze can only route up to 1000 miles, which isn't common usage but forced me to use Google Maps.

I drove across country and Google Maps caused me a bit of grief between rerouting and no data issues in the desert. I decided I'll have to pick up a Garmin to have for the remote areas where there is no phone signal. New Mexico and Arizona in particular had hours of driving with no cell coverage.

You could just get an offline GPS navigation app for your phone, it'd be cheaper than buying a whole new device.

 

[ControlD]

The best feature of Waze is the user reporting. Knowing where all the slowdowns are (and where all the pork on the road is as well) makes it my goto navigation app. I use Google Maps when I need turn by turn directions, but 99% of my time I have Waze running.

 

[Crow550]

You could just get an offline GPS navigation app for your phone, it'd be cheaper than buying a whole new device.

Yeah NavFree USA. Or regular NavFree if outside the US.

Works great, offline maps and free.

 

[jpeyton]

I use Google Maps for navigation, but Waze for crowd-sourced traffic enforcement data.

Paired with other electronic countermeasures, they do quite a good job at preventing unwanted tickets.