Whether you’re driving for a rideshare app or heading somewhere when you’re off the clock, getting the right directions is an absolute must. For many drivers, choosing the best navigation app comes down to a tough choice between two top contenders: Waze vs. Google Maps.
Waze and Google Maps are two applications that serve a similar purpose, but their approach is not exactly the same. Google Maps is a maps application that includes routes and navigation, while Waze is a navigation application that includes social functions.
One way to think about this is founded in 2005, it’s one of the earliest mapping platforms and has nearly 130 million more users than Waze in the U., and alone. The Google Maps app has long been known as the golden standard in navigation, due to the fact that it provides high-quality directions for far more than driving.
Compare to Waze Map; Google (set Waze Default Map) is providing features to save the offline MAP for the cities or a particular area you like. Google lets you save up to 20 offline maps for 30 days period.
Although Waze doesn’t offer a built-in map downloading or offline maps functionality, there is an easy workaround to use Waze offline. It’s worth mentioning that without using the internet, the Waze app won’t provide you the updated traffic data and updates for your selected route.
Another common question is “Is Waze Redirecting my Journey to Google Maps?”.
While Waze will actively redirect your journey based on the data it receives, it’s a feature that still hasn’t been ported to Google Maps, even though both services are owned and operated by Google .
Is Waze owned by Google?
Google actually acquired Waze for more than a billion dollars back in 2013, but since then the apps have continued to operate independently. They service similar functions in getting you around, but they offer two different methods of doing so.
This begs the query “What is Waze?”
Google purchased Waze in 2013 and developed it as a separate community-based GPS navigation app with several real-time, crowd-sourced social networking features.
You could be wondering “How do I download traffic data from Waze?”
Now click on the Settings gear icon (top-right corner) to access Waze application settings. Under Advanced Settings, tap on Display & map. Scroll down the Display & map settings and open Data Transfer. Ensure the feature to Download Traffic info is enabled.
What’s new in the latest version of Waze?
– Improved battery life – Bug fixes Waze is a fun, community based mapping, traffic & navigation app. With millions of drivers from across the globe joining forces to outsmart traffic, save time, fuel money, and improve daily commuting for all.
Can you use Waze for public transit?
The point of Waze is to redirect you as a driver whenever it sees a faster route round obstacles, but obviously you don’t have that luxury on public transit because you’re not the one driving. So you’re going to have to use Google Maps . Google Maps has support for public transportation, walking and cycling.
This of course begs the question “Is Waze useless if you don’t drive a car?”
But if you’re not driving a car or motorbike, Waze is completely useless. It has a very narrow use-case, which is a void Google Maps fills very easily.