Google Maps or Apple Maps. Which one is better and why?
By: The Geospatial
Tags: Google Maps, Apple Maps, Maps, GIS, Digital Map

Your Smartphone provides you with smart navigation through services like Apple Maps and Google Maps. You can easily find a location and share directions with others. Apple Maps and Google Maps are well-known navigation apps that fulfill the purpose of finding places. Let’s see the differences between the two and which one is best for you.

Compatibility

While Apple Maps is exclusively designed for iPhones, iPads, and other Apple hardware, Google Maps is a cross-platform that can be used by Apple users, just like other third-party apps.

User Interface

Both apps share a similar interface. Users can use the search option in both apps to find any place. Using the Current Location option of these apps, the user can find their exact position.

Google Maps users can view different modes and choose from options like satellite, transit, terrain, biking, driving, and traffic. Apple users can also change settings to satellite, map, or transit using the information button. Apple also provides a Look Around feature (binoculars), similar to Google’s Street View option. It allows the users to explore the surroundings as they walk down any street or road.

Both of them show some default locations. But the icons in Google Maps are larger and vibrant as compared to Apple Maps, which makes it more catchy at first glance. If you are not comfortable with the smaller icons of the Apple Maps, you can invoke Siri and tell her what you are looking for. Apple Maps’ integration with Siri makes the navigation smoother by its guidance for easier directions.

You will get a straightforward driving mode in both cases. Google will give you instant sidebar information of the surroundings while you have to tap in the case of Apple maps for further details.

Traffic status

Either of the two will give you arrival estimations and traffic conditions. Google provides more clear information on traffic and how it will impact your travel time. You can also use options like directions and compass in Google, whereas in Apple Maps, you have to select a category after pulling up from the bottom of the screen.

Another unique feature presented by Apple is a Flyover Mode that allows you to explore in 3D mode. You can find some of the densely populated urban centers in the form of 3D models of structures and buildings. Using its City Tours feature, the user can find out important city landmarks.

Google’s offline access makes it possible to navigate without data or Wi-Fi. Although Apple Maps consume less data than Google Maps, the offline facility of Google compensates it.

Privacy

The two companies take the privacy of users seriously. Therefore they offer several customization and control options. Google allows users to use incognito mode to keep the searches private. Apple, on the other hand, does not record your search history. You can access most of the apps of Apple without signing into your user account.

According to the latest announcement by Google, it will auto-delete the location history of the users by default.

Both companies timely add new features for the convenience of the users. Whichever option you choose for the navigation, you will not regret it as both have their own set of unique features to bring you back home on time.