# Google Maps vs GPS Route Maps

The clearest difference is update cadence: Google Maps at every 6 days against GPS Route Maps's every 6 weeks. Google Maps also leads on ratings volume (7.4M vs 858) and chart position (#1 vs unranked). GPS Route Maps's advantage is review sentiment (67% vs 44%) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 16.0). On price, rating, ads 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 GPS Route Maps sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Google Maps against 4.7 for GPS Route Maps. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Google Maps has 7.4M ratings behind it against 858, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 44% of Google Maps's written reviews are positive against 67% of GPS Route Maps's.

Google Maps ships an update every 6 days, GPS Route Maps every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Google Maps | GPS Route Maps |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (7.4M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/google-maps/id585027354/reviews) | [4.7 (858 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gps-route-maps-navigation/id1460469567/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **7.4M** | 858 |
| Positive reviews | 43.5% of reviews | **66.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 days** | Every 6 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#1** | — |
| Size | 466 MB | 14 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Google](https://appshunter.io/developer/281956209) | [zohaib khaliq](https://appshunter.io/developer/1439737489) |

## What reviewers say

### Google Maps

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

**Currently charting:** #1 Top Free · Navigation, #22 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


### GPS Route Maps

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gps-route-maps-navigation/id1460469567)

Navigate to any destination safely and quickly with turn-by-turn voice guidance and real-time traffic updates. Find the shortest routes, track your speed, and get weather information. Premium features offer unlimited access and an ad-free experience.

**Highlights:** Turn-by-turn voice navigation, Real-time traffic updates, Shortest route finder, GPS speedometer, Weather updates, Multiple route options

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| GPS Navigation Weekly Pro | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Route Maps Monthly Premium | $5.99 | per month |
| Premium Ad Free Version Unlock | $4.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Google Maps free?

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

### Is GPS Route Maps free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Google Maps or GPS Route Maps?

Google Maps and GPS Route Maps are both rated 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store, from 7.4M and 858 ratings respectively.

### Do Google Maps or GPS Route Maps have ads?

Both Google Maps and GPS Route Maps show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Google Maps or GPS Route Maps?

Google Maps ships an update every 6 days, and GPS Route Maps every 6 weeks. Most recently, Google Maps was updated on September 25, 2026 and GPS Route Maps on September 21, 2026.

---

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