# Google Maps vs GPS Live Navigation & Live Map

The clearest difference is rating: Google Maps at 4.7 against GPS Live Navigation & Live Map's 3.1. Google Maps also leads on ratings volume (7.4M vs 135) and update cadence (every 6 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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 & Live Map sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Google Maps holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Google Maps has 7.4M ratings behind it against 135, 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 28% of GPS Live Navigation & Live Map's.

Google Maps ships an update every 6 days, GPS Live Navigation & Live Map every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Google Maps | GPS Live Navigation & Live Map |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (7.4M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/google-maps/id585027354/reviews)** | [3.1 (135 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gps-live-navigation-and-live-map/id1610276914/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **7.4M** | 135 |
| Positive reviews | **43.5% of reviews** | 27.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 days** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#1** | — |
| Size | 469 MB | 136 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Google](https://appshunter.io/developer/281956209) | [Erasoft Technology](https://appshunter.io/developer/1609564849) |

## 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 Live Navigation & Live Map

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gps-live-navigation-and-live-map/id1610276914)

Navigate your journeys with real-time maps, voice guidance, and live traffic updates. Discover local points of interest, share your location, and avoid hazards with this comprehensive navigation tool.

**Highlights:** Real-time maps, Voice navigation, Live traffic alerts, Street view, Offline maps, Location sharing, GPS tracker

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Premium Access | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Premium Access | $9.99 | per month |
| Yearly Premium Access | $39.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Ads Free | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🗺️ GPS tracking functionality
- 📍 Real-time location monitoring

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App fails to load maps or display addresses
- 💰 Paid features don't work after purchase
- 📢 Excessive ads despite paid versions
- ⚠️ False advertising about features
- 🔄 Data significantly outdated (6+ months behind)

**Reported bugs**

- Maps fail to load or display
- App crashes during navigation
- Address search returns no results
- Pro version not recognized after purchase
- Ads persist despite ad-free purchase

**Requested features**

- Multi-language support beyond English
- Better route planning and customization
- Ability to label and organize saved routes
- Improved address database and location accuracy
- Ad-free experience for paid users


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Google Maps free?

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

### Is GPS Live Navigation & Live Map free?

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

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

Google Maps is rated higher. Google Maps averages 4.7 out of 5 from 7.4M ratings, while GPS Live Navigation & Live Map averages 3.1 from 135 ratings.

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

Both Google Maps and GPS Live Navigation & Live Map show ads.

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

Google Maps ships an update every 6 days, and GPS Live Navigation & Live Map every 3 weeks. Most recently, Google Maps was updated on September 24, 2026 and GPS Live Navigation & Live 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.*