Which Navigation App Should You Use?

By theadmin

Today, navigation apps do a lot more than get you from point A to point B. They help you beat rush hour traffic, plan a lengthy road trip, and discover new restaurants and shops. But with so many options available on the market, it can be difficult to decide which one to use. We’ve dissected the pros and cons of today’s top navigation apps: Google Maps, Waze, and Apple Maps.

Google Maps

Great for: Trip planning and exploration.

Pros:

Offline Use. You can download areas of Google Maps for offline use, which is helpful when traveling through remote areas with limited cellular reception.
Pit Stops. On road trips, you can search for local businesses, sights, and other pit stops along your route. (Mind you, you’re more likely to see businesses that pay Google for priority placement.)
Multiple Travel Methods. You can navigate by vehicle but also by foot, bicycle, or public transportation.
Alternate Routes. Google Maps will occasionally suggest alternate routes if traffic appears to be stalling along your path — a helpful feature that is even better optimized in Google’s other navigation app, Waze.

Tips:

Set Your ETD or ETA. To plan out your travel, you can adjust the intended departure or arrival time to calculate the best time to leave to avoid heavy traffic.
Save Your Stops. You can save your home, office, and other frequented locations to Google Maps for quicker navigation.

Waze

Great for: Finding the fastest route from A to B.

Pros:

Fastest Routes. Waze is an excellent option for drivers because, on the road, it constantly analyzes and updates your route based on real-time traffic pattern information.
Report Hazards. Waze also allows you to alert nearby drivers to road hazards such as potholes, debris, or stalled vehicles on the road with a simple click of a button. Reported hazards will pop up on your navigation screen as well.

Cons:

Drivers Only. Waze was built exclusively for drivers, so you won’t find navigation options as a pedestrian, cyclist, or public transit passenger.
Beware Pop-Ups. Waze’s interface is more simplified than Google Maps — almost cartoony — which makes it easier to understand at a glance. However, Waze earns advertiser dollars by showing drivers banner ads for nearby shops and restaurants. So, ads might pop up on your screen, which can be distracting.

Apple Maps

Great for: Privacy.

Pros:

Navigate Anonymously. The most notable advantage of using Apple Maps is privacy. Apple “fuzzes” your navigation data to protect your anonymity, which basically means it scrambles your information with random data to prevent anyone from seeing your precise location or search history. And none of the information it gathers is associated with your Apple ID. Likewise, all personalized data is stored on your phone, where you can delete it whenever you please. (Google Maps data is instead kept on their servers.)

Tip:

Apple Maps is incredibly similar to Google Maps. Their user interface looks more or less the same. You can save frequent destinations like “home” and “work” and choreograph a lengthy journey by car, foot, bicycle, or public transit.

Note: Sorry, Android users. You need an iPhone, Mac, or some other Apple-made device to use Apple Maps.

Keep Your Eyes on the Road

Nearly 1 in 6 crashes in Texas in 2022 were caused by a distracted driver, resulting in 487 deaths and 2,824 injuries. Reduce the chances of an accident by starting your navigation before putting your car in drive. If you’re using navigation on your phone, invest in a sturdy dashboard phone holder. And if you need to change course once you’re on the road, pull over to adjust the route.

Headed on a road trip with your four-legged bestie this summer? Check out these tips to ensure a smooth ride.