# MapQuest GPS Navigation & Maps vs Google Maps

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Google Maps at 7.4M against MapQuest GPS Navigation & Maps's 29K. Google Maps also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.4) and chart position (#1 vs #18). MapQuest GPS Navigation & Maps's advantage is review sentiment (52% vs 44%). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. MapQuest GPS Navigation & Maps sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and Google Maps sells 22 in-app purchases, starting at $0.89 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Google Maps holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Google Maps has 7.4M ratings behind it against 29K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 52% of MapQuest GPS Navigation & Maps's written reviews are positive against 44% of Google Maps's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

MapQuest GPS Navigation & Maps ships an update every 9 days, Google Maps every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | MapQuest GPS Navigation & Maps | Google Maps |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (29K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mapquest-gps-navigation-and-maps/id316126557/reviews) | **[4.7 (7.4M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/google-maps/id585027354/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 29K | **7.4M** |
| Positive reviews | **52.2% of reviews** | 43.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 9 days | **Every 6 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #18 | **#1** |
| Size | 316 MB | 469 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.1** | 16.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [MapQuest Holdings LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1494058354) | [Google](https://appshunter.io/developer/281956209) |

## What reviewers say

### MapQuest GPS Navigation & Maps

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mapquest-gps-navigation-and-maps/id316126557)

**Currently charting:** #18 Top Free · Navigation, #56 Top Grossing · Navigation (US App Store)

Navigate the United States and Canada with turn-by-turn voice directions for walking and driving. Avoid traffic with real-time updates, find nearby points of interest, and plan routes to save time and money.

**Highlights:** Turn-by-turn voice navigation, Real-time traffic updates, Points of interest search, Route planning and options, Hands-free driving with CarPlay, Gas station price comparison

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Ad-Free | $1.99 | per month |
| Ad-Free | $4.99 | per month |
| MapQuest Ad-Free Annual | $39.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Accurate and reliable
- 👍 Functional and easy to use
- 🚀 Quick and efficient
- 👍 Correctly labeled geographic areas
- 👍 Provides multiple route options

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional glitches and bugs
- 🐛 Inaccurate or incomplete map data
- 🐛 Slow or delayed voice guidance
- 🐛 Difficulty searching for locations
- 🐛 Suboptimal routing suggestions

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes or freezes
- Incorrect destination information
- Routing issues in construction areas
- Difficulty switching between multiple stops

**Requested features**

- Add public transportation options
- Improve search functionality
- Provide more detailed map data
- Add EV charging station information
- Allow saving of planned routes


### Google Maps

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/google-maps/id585027354)

**Currently charting:** #1 Top Free · Navigation, #23 Top Free (US App Store)

Navigate your world with real-time traffic, turn-by-turn directions for driving, walking, cycling, and public transport. Discover millions of businesses and places with photos and reviews. Plan trips with Street View, Immersive View, and offline maps.

**Highlights:** Real-time GPS navigation, Live traffic data, Public transport updates, Business and place discovery, Street View and Immersive View, Offline maps, User reviews and photos

**Features:** Apple Watch app, iMessage stickers

**In-app purchases (22)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 30 GB | $0.89 | per month |
| 30 GB | $0.89 | per month |
| 100 GB | $1.99 | per month |
| 100 GB | $1.99 | per month |
| 200 GB | $2.99 | per month |
| 200 GB | $2.99 | per month |
| Google AI Plus (400 GB) | $4.99 | per month |
| Google AI Plus (2 TB) | $9.99 | per month |
| Google AI Plus (2 TB) | $9.99 | per month |
| Google AI Pro (5 TB) | $19.99 | per month |
| 100 GB | $19.99 | per year |
| 100 GB | $19.99 | per year |
| 100 GB | $19.99 | per year |
| Google AI Pro (2 TB) | $19.99 | per month |
| 200 GB | $29.99 | per year |
| 200 GB | $29.99 | per year |
| 200 GB | $29.99 | per year |
| 10 TB | $49.99 | per month |
| 2 TB | $99.99 | per year |
| 20 TB | $99.99 | per month |
| 2 TB | $99.99 | per year |
| Google AI Ultra (30 TB) | $249.99 | per month |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Accurate navigation
- 👍 Helpful for travel and exploration
- 💡 Useful for delivery drivers
- 👍 Reliable traffic information

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy and unreliable directions
- 🔄 Constant rerouting without user consent
- 🗺️ Inaccurate or outdated maps
- 🚧 Dangerous routing suggestions
- 🤔 Confusing interface changes

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to save/access favorite locations
- Frequent crashes or freezes
- Incorrect address/location detection
- Voice navigation issues

**Requested features**

- Option to avoid tolls or specify vehicle type
- Ability to manually edit/update maps
- Better integration with public transit
- Improved offline functionality
- More customization options for routes


## Frequently asked questions

### Is MapQuest GPS Navigation & Maps free?

MapQuest GPS Navigation & Maps is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Google Maps free?

Google Maps is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, MapQuest GPS Navigation & Maps or Google Maps?

Google Maps is rated higher. MapQuest GPS Navigation & Maps averages 4.4 out of 5 from 29K ratings, while Google Maps averages 4.7 from 7.4M ratings.

### Do MapQuest GPS Navigation & Maps or Google Maps have ads?

Both MapQuest GPS Navigation & Maps and Google Maps show ads.

### Which is updated more often, MapQuest GPS Navigation & Maps or Google Maps?

MapQuest GPS Navigation & Maps ships an update every 9 days, and Google Maps every 6 days. Most recently, MapQuest GPS Navigation & Maps was updated on September 25, 2026 and Google Maps on September 24, 2026.

### Which is more popular, MapQuest GPS Navigation & Maps or Google Maps?

MapQuest GPS Navigation & Maps currently peaks at #18 in the App Store charts, and Google Maps at #1. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*