Apple usually finds itself involved in a lot of tech rivalries, but one of the Cupertino-based giant's biggest is between its iPhone lineup and Google’s Android smartphones. But it isn’t just hardware, even its software is competing against the suite of apps available on Android devices – with one of the more important of those being Apple Maps versus Google Maps.

Online maps have revolutionized how we travel. They help us explore new cities with nearby recommendations, avoid traffic jams on our usual routes by taking real-time diversions, and find out when public transport stops for the night.

But not every map app is created equal. Throughout iOS and Android, there's been a bunch of improvements to the respected maps apps, but it could be difficult to tell which one is better in some areas.

COST AND AVAILABILITY

Great news, both Apple Maps and Google Maps are free to download, though that doesn’t mean they’re equally available on the platform of your choice.

Unsurprisingly, Apple’s maps app is exclusive to its devices. You’ll need an iPhone, an iPad, or a Mac to use this service; if you want to use Apple Maps on a non-Apple device you're out of luck.

However, using the search engine DuckDuckGo on a web browser, its maps are powered by Apple Maps, so you can at least get a good idea of how these look compared to Google's offering.

Alternatively, you could download the Google Maps app onto your Android phone and get more functionality out of it – as you aren’t restricted to just using the in-browser version of Apple Maps.

You can also download Google Maps onto some devices; Apple's App Store(opens in a new tab) for example, while Windows, and Android devices can all access this through the web, alongside Apple's CarPlay. Plus, all your data can be synced between devices by logging into your Google account on the Google Maps app.

ACCURACY

Apple Maps had a rough launch in iOS 6 back in 2012, with inaccurate maps that would be incorrectly labeled or not at all. Thankfully after several massive updates over the years, that’s no longer the case, with both apps from Apple and Google being about equal in terms of accuracy.
Except for a few minor glitches every so often when searching for a road in your hometown and the result of bringing up a similar road in another country, for example, using cycle routes and 3D maps is a great experience on your iPad or other Apple device.

When a new road is built or a local business changes its information, Google Maps is generally quicker to update its information in the app. Because of its larger user base, Google Maps can crowdsource and verify this data more quickly, but this difference is pretty minor.

CAR NAVIGATION

Generally, both services look pretty similar if you’re after regular old turn-by-turn navigation as you drive. Google Maps and Apple Maps will both feature a moving icon that follows your journey, with the screen giving you a look ahead at the next section of road you’ll be traveling on and what your next instruction will be.

Both services will also give you an estimate of your arrival time and the distance you’ll be traveling, with this time changing as you drive and if traffic changes. If you do encounter any road bumps, you’re also able to report them, so you can warn other drivers that they’ll soon be hitting queues or road closures.

Both apps also offer solid voice controls so you can give them instructions as you drive. Here the services are slightly better on their home platform simply because your phone’s inbuilt AI – Siri on iPhones or Google Assistant on Android – interfaces better with the native app.

Google has a slight edge in other areas though.

For one it has more options for adding pit stops before you set off. Apple can help you find a gas station should your car be low on fuel or find somewhere to grab a quick bite to eat, but Google offers much more possibilities. If you wanted to Google Maps would let you set up a single route that leaves your workplace swings past your local grocery store and then your kid’s school before taking you home.

Google also has new route options that let you maximize fuel efficiency instead of choosing between just the fastest or shortest route.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT - WALKING AND CYCLING

Okay, so Google has the edge for drivers, but what about if you’re traveling by public transport, walking, or on a bike?

Once again both services are about on par with each other. Both Apple Maps and Google Maps will give you accurate public transport information and reasonably similar routes if you’re looking to walk or cycle between locations.
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