# Google Maps vs GPS Live Navigation

The clearest difference is rating: Google Maps at 4.7 against GPS Live Navigation's 3.7. Google Maps also leads on ratings volume (7.4M vs 168) and review sentiment (44% vs 27%). GPS Live Navigation's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). On price, update cadence, 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 Live Navigation sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 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 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Google Maps has 7.4M ratings behind it against 168, 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 GPS Live Navigation's.

Google Maps ships an update every 6 days, GPS Live Navigation every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Google Maps | GPS Live Navigation |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (7.4M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/google-maps/id585027354/reviews)** | [3.7 (168 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gps-live-navigation/id1608794719/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **7.4M** | 168 |
| Positive reviews | **43.5% of reviews** | 27.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 days** | Every 8 days |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#1** | — |
| Size | 469 MB | 126 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Google](https://appshunter.io/developer/281956209) | [Gautam Kakadiya](https://appshunter.io/developer/1550511579) |

## What reviewers say

### 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


### GPS Live Navigation

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gps-live-navigation/id1608794719)

Navigate to any destination worldwide with real-time maps, voice guidance, and traffic alerts. Explore nearby places, view street and satellite imagery, and track your travel history. Features a digital compass for precise directions.

**Highlights:** Voice Navigation, Live Maps, Traffic Alerts, Street View, Nearby Places, Travel History, Digital Compass

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Premium Access | $1.99 | per month |
| Yearly Premium Access | $9.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🗺️ Useful for navigation and route planning
- 📍 GPS tracking functionality works
- 👍 Good map quality for some users

**What reviewers complain about**

- 📺 Excessive and intrusive advertisements
- 🐛 App frequently crashes or freezes
- ❌ Search functionality doesn't work properly
- 🗺️ Outdated or inaccurate map data
- ⚙️ Difficult to find settings and customize features

**Reported bugs**

- White screen when searching for locations
- App redirects to App Store instead of functioning
- Incorrect location display (showing wrong country/language)
- Search returns 'no results' for valid locations
- Address labels are misspelled or incorrect

**Requested features**

- Option to disable or remove advertisements
- Settings menu for unit conversion (kilometers to miles)
- Speed display and overspeed warnings
- Alternative route suggestions
- 3D and live view modes


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Google Maps free?

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

### Is GPS Live Navigation free?

GPS Live Navigation is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

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

Google Maps is rated higher. Google Maps averages 4.7 out of 5 from 7.4M ratings, while GPS Live Navigation averages 3.7 from 168 ratings.

### Do Google Maps or GPS Live Navigation have ads?

Both Google Maps and GPS Live Navigation show ads.

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

Google Maps ships an update every 6 days, and GPS Live Navigation every 8 days. Most recently, Google Maps was updated on September 24, 2026 and GPS Live Navigation on September 22, 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.*