# Google Maps vs KakaoMetro

The clearest difference is rating: Google Maps at 4.7 against KakaoMetro's 2.5. Google Maps also leads on update cadence (every 6 days vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (7.4M vs 107). KakaoMetro's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 34). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Google Maps sells 22 in-app purchases, starting at $0.89 per month. KakaoMetro asks for nothing beyond the download.

Google Maps holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Google Maps has 7.4M ratings behind it against 107, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 43% of Google Maps's written reviews are positive against 21% of KakaoMetro's.

Google Maps ships an update every 6 days, KakaoMetro every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Google Maps | KakaoMetro |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (7.4M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/google-maps/id585027354/reviews)** | [2.5 (107 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kakaometro/id1095533900/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **7.4M** | 107 |
| Positive reviews | **43.4% of reviews** | 20.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 days** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Ad-supported** |
| Best chart rank | **#1** | — |
| Size | 466 MB | 104 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Google](https://appshunter.io/developer/281956209) | [Kakao Mobility Corp.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1266185413) |

## What reviewers say

### Google Maps

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

**Currently charting:** #1 Top Free · Navigation, #26 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


### KakaoMetro

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kakaometro/id1095533900)

Navigate subways with real-time arrival information and smart route planning. Discover station layouts, find the best carriage to board, and access transit maps based on actual station locations. Get the fastest routes and helpful transit details for major South Korean cities.

**Highlights:** Real-time arrival information, Subway maps based on real locations, Carriage boarding guidance, Fastest route calculation, Landmark indicators on maps, Nearby station detection

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use interface
- 🗺️ Detailed route information
- 📍 Real-time location tracking
- ⬆️ Useful transfer guidance
- 🗺️ Exit and escalator information

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Inaccurate schedules
- 🐛 Station direction mismatch
- 🐛 Incorrect arrival times
- 🐛 Route calculation issues
- 🐛 Crashes frequently

**Reported bugs**

- Schedules are inaccurate
- Station directions are incorrect
- Real-time information is unreliable
- App crashes when accessing settings
- iOS widgets disappear after update

**Requested features**

- Add dark mode for iOS icons
- Support iOS widgets
- Re-enable English search and results
- Add Apple Watch support
- Display route on the subway line visually


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Google Maps free?

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

### Is KakaoMetro free?

KakaoMetro is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Google Maps or KakaoMetro?

Google Maps is rated higher. Google Maps averages 4.7 out of 5 from 7.4M ratings, while KakaoMetro averages 2.5 from 107 ratings.

### Do Google Maps or KakaoMetro have ads?

Both Google Maps and KakaoMetro show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Google Maps or KakaoMetro?

Google Maps ships an update every 6 days, and KakaoMetro every 2 months. Most recently, Google Maps was updated on September 29, 2026 and KakaoMetro on September 28, 2026.

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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.*