# Google Maps vs Satellite Map

The clearest difference is rating: Google Maps at 4.7 against Satellite Map's 2.8. Google Maps also leads on update cadence (every 6 days vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (7.4M vs 326). Satellite Map'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. Satellite Map asks for nothing beyond the download.

Google Maps holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Google Maps has 7.4M ratings behind it against 326, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 44% of Google Maps's written reviews are positive against 27% of Satellite Map's.

Google Maps ships an update every 6 days, Satellite Map every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Google Maps | Satellite Map |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (7.4M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/google-maps/id585027354/reviews)** | [2.8 (326 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/satellite-map-live-earth/id1493334107/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **7.4M** | 326 |
| Positive reviews | **43.5% of reviews** | 27.0% 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 | 469 MB | 63 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.6** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Google](https://appshunter.io/developer/281956209) | [慧敏 赵](https://appshunter.io/developer/1488751066) |

## 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


### Satellite Map

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/satellite-map-live-earth/id1493334107)

Explore the world with high-definition satellite imagery, 3D building models, and real-time contour maps. Discover global street information and enjoy breathtaking scenery from anywhere.

**Highlights:** HD satellite maps, 3D building models, Real-time contour maps, Global street information, Explore global scenery

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🌍 Satellite map - live earth
- 🤖 Clones
- 🎨 3d live

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🌐 Everything's in Chinese no translation available
- 🌐 Only Chinese language available
- 🌐 The text on the map is in Chinese
- 🌐 Everything is written in Chinese!!!
- 🌐 Everything is in Chinese

**Reported bugs**

- The satellite map is not live
- The pictures are out of date
- Can't find map index, no way to find a particular street or area

**Requested features**

- English version
- Change language to English


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Google Maps free?

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

### Is Satellite Map free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Google Maps or Satellite Map?

Google Maps is rated higher. Google Maps averages 4.7 out of 5 from 7.4M ratings, while Satellite Map averages 2.8 from 326 ratings.

### Do Google Maps or Satellite Map have ads?

Both Google Maps and Satellite Map show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Google Maps or Satellite Map?

Google Maps ships an update every 6 days, and Satellite Map every 2 months. Most recently, Google Maps was updated on September 25, 2026 and Satellite Map on September 23, 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.*