Apple Maps vs Google Maps vs Waze on CarPlay!

Navigation Apps Comparison on Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

The video provides a detailed comparison and review of three popular navigation apps on Apple CarPlay and Android Auto: Apple Maps, Google Maps, and Waze. The focus is on their technological features, usability, and reliability as satnav solutions in cars.

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Key Technological Concepts and Features

1. Compatibility

• Apple Maps: Exclusive to Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac).
• Google Maps: Default on Android but available on iOS; widely supported on many platforms including some car multimedia systems.
• Waze: Third-party app owned by Google, available on both iOS and Android.

2. History and Data

• Google Maps (since 2005) has the largest dataset and widest device support.
• Apple Maps launched in 2012 with early issues but significantly improved by 2025/2026.
• Waze started around 2008, acquired by Google in 2013, and retains a unique community-driven approach.

3. User Interface and Experience

• Apple Maps: Clean, minimal, polished UI with native iOS design elements like “liquid glass” in iOS 16; dynamic map zooming and UI animations (e.g., map shifts when texts arrive).
• Google Maps: Rich POI data integrated with Google Search and reviews, but less fluid UI animations.
• Waze: Similar to Google Maps but with a playful, cartoonish style and unique icons (e.g., a character mascot).

4. Navigation Features

• All apps provide standard route options, real-time traffic updates, and speed limits.
• Apple Maps and Google Maps allow adding stops (e.g., fuel stations) along routes; Waze adds stops but tends to search nearby rather than strictly on route.
• Voice navigation uses Siri voices for Apple Maps, Google Assistant voices for Google Maps, and offers many voice options including celebrities for Waze.

5. Map Views

• Google Maps is the only one offering satellite view on CarPlay.
• Apple Maps and Waze do not have satellite view on CarPlay (though Apple Maps has it on other devices).

6. Offline Maps

• Apple Maps and Google Maps support offline map downloads (configured on the phone).
• Waze does not support offline maps.

7. Points of Interest (POI) and Reviews

• Google Maps excels with extensive POI data and user reviews (though limited on CarPlay).
• Apple Maps shows third-party ratings and useful info like hours and payment options on CarPlay.
• Waze focuses primarily on navigation speed rather than detailed POI info.

8. Community Reporting and Alerts

• All three apps support user reports for crashes, traffic, speed cameras, and hazards.
• Waze’s community reporting is the most robust and foundational to its popularity.
• Apple Maps and Google Maps have integrated reporting features that update other users in real time.

9. Additional Features

• Calendar Integration: Apple Maps and Waze integrate calendar events for navigation; Google Maps currently does not.
• Sharing ETA: Apple Maps allows sharing ETA with contacts directly from CarPlay; Google Maps supports this on the app but not yet on CarPlay.

10. Voice Control

• All apps support voice commands via Siri on CarPlay, allowing hands-free navigation control.

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Reliability and User Preference

• Google Maps is considered the most reliable overall with the largest dataset and best traffic avoidance.
• Apple Maps has improved significantly but has had reliability issues in the past, especially in complex urban areas.
• Waze offers strong community-driven real-time updates but is car-focused and lacks multi-modal transport navigation.
• User poll results showed Google Maps as the most popular, followed by Waze, then Apple Maps.

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Conclusion

• Google Maps is the overall winner due to its comprehensive data, satellite view on CarPlay, and multi-modal navigation capabilities.
• Apple Maps is favored for its clean design, fluid UI, and calendar integration within the Apple ecosystem.
• Waze remains a strong contender for community-based traffic updates and fun voice options but is limited to driving navigation.

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Main Speaker/Source: The video is presented by a tech reviewer (unnamed in subtitles) who has personally tested all three apps over several years and shares practical demonstrations and opinions based on real-world use.