# Google Maps vs Magic Earth Navigation & Maps

The clearest difference is rating: Google Maps at 4.7 against Magic Earth Navigation & Maps's 3.9. Google Maps also leads on ratings volume (7.4M vs 564) and chart position (#1 vs #196). Magic Earth Navigation & Maps's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Google Maps sells 22 in-app purchases, starting at $0.89 per month and Magic Earth Navigation & Maps sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $19.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Google Maps holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Google Maps has 7.4M ratings behind it against 564, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 44% of Google Maps's written reviews are positive against 51% of Magic Earth Navigation & Maps's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Google Maps ships an update every 6 days, Magic Earth Navigation & Maps weekly. Both last shipped on September 25, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Google Maps | Magic Earth Navigation & Maps |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (7.4M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/google-maps/id585027354/reviews)** | [3.9 (564 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/magic-earth-navigation-and-maps/id1007331679/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **7.4M** | 564 |
| Positive reviews | 43.5% of reviews | **51.2% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 days** | Weekly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Best chart rank | **#1** | #196 |
| Size | 466 MB | 92 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Google](https://appshunter.io/developer/281956209) | [Magic Lane International BV](https://appshunter.io/developer/1808449484) |

## What reviewers say

### Google Maps

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

**Currently charting:** #1 Top Free · Navigation, #18 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


### Magic Earth Navigation & Maps

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/magic-earth-navigation-and-maps/id1007331679)

**Currently charting:** #196 Top Grossing · Navigation, #210 Top Free · Navigation (US App Store)

Navigate your world with detailed offline maps and turn-by-turn directions for driving, biking, and walking. Enjoy real-time traffic updates and public transport information, all while prioritizing your privacy. Unlock advanced features with an optional subscription.

**Highlights:** Offline maps for 233 countries, Turn-by-turn navigation, Real-time traffic information, Public transport routing, Head-up Display (HUD) feature, CarPlay compatibility, Weather forecasts

**Features:** Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium | $19.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent offline navigation
- 🔒 Respects user privacy
- 👍 Clean and intuitive interface
- 🚘 Works well with CarPlay
- 💡 Customizable map views and voices

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Outdated map data and speed limit information
- 🔍 Poor search functionality and address lookup
- 🚧 Routing issues, such as suggesting inappropriate roads
- 🔋 Drains battery quickly
- 🤖 Unreliable voice guidance and lane assistance

**Reported bugs**

- Keyboard obscures search results in CarPlay mode
- GPS signal issues and location jumps
- Inconsistent behavior when deviating from a route
- Crashes and freezes, especially after recent updates

**Requested features**

- Add ability to lock map orientation to North
- Improve search by allowing voice input and better location relevance
- Provide more detailed traffic information and rerouting options
- Integrate with more car systems beyond just CarPlay
- Offer more customization options for the user interface


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Google Maps free?

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

### Is Magic Earth Navigation & Maps free?

Magic Earth Navigation & Maps is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Google Maps or Magic Earth Navigation & Maps?

Google Maps is rated higher. Google Maps averages 4.7 out of 5 from 7.4M ratings, while Magic Earth Navigation & Maps averages 3.9 from 564 ratings.

### Do Google Maps or Magic Earth Navigation & Maps have ads?

Google Maps shows ads; Magic Earth Navigation & Maps does not.

### Which is updated more often, Google Maps or Magic Earth Navigation & Maps?

Google Maps ships an update every 6 days, and Magic Earth Navigation & Maps weekly. Most recently, Google Maps was updated on September 25, 2026 and Magic Earth Navigation & Maps on September 25, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Google Maps or Magic Earth Navigation & Maps?

Google Maps currently peaks at #1 in the App Store charts, and Magic Earth Navigation & Maps at #196. 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.*