# Google Maps vs Waye Navigation & Live Traffic

The clearest difference is monetization model: Google Maps at free with in-app purchases against Waye Navigation & Live Traffic's subscription. Google Maps also leads on review sentiment (43% vs 11%) and ratings volume (7.4M vs 353). Waye Navigation & Live Traffic's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Google Maps sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and Waye Navigation & Live Traffic sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 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 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Google Maps has 7.4M ratings behind it against 353, 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 11% of Waye Navigation & Live Traffic's.

Google Maps ships an update every 5 days, Waye Navigation & Live Traffic monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Google Maps | Waye Navigation & Live Traffic |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (7.4M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/google-maps/id585027354/reviews)** | [4.4 (353 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/waye-navigation-and-live-traffic/id1672002574/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **7.4M** | 353 |
| Positive reviews | **43.3% of reviews** | 11.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 days** | Monthly |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | **#1** | — |
| Size | 465 MB | 38 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 17.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Google](https://appshunter.io/developer/281956209) | [Appie s.r.o](https://appshunter.io/developer/359896852) |

## What reviewers say

### Google Maps

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

**Currently charting:** #1 Top Free · Navigation, #20 Top Free (US App Store)

Navigate the world with real-time traffic data, turn-by-turn directions for various transport modes, and discover millions of businesses. Plan trips with Street View, Immersive View, and offline maps. Explore local places with user reviews and photos.

**Highlights:** Live traffic data, Turn-by-turn voice navigation, Public transport updates, Street View previews, Offline maps, Business discovery, Immersive View

**Features:** Apple Watch app, iMessage stickers

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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 (2 TB) | $9.99 | per month |
| Google AI Plus (2 TB) | $9.99 | per month |
| 100 GB | $19.99 | per year |

**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


### Waye Navigation & Live Traffic

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/waye-navigation-and-live-traffic/id1672002574)

Navigate with real-time traffic updates, speed limit alerts, and hazard warnings. Offers parking assistance, a heads-up display for safer night driving, and turn-by-turn directions. Includes weather forecasts and local place discovery.

**Highlights:** Real-time traffic information, Speed limit alerts, Hazard and incident reporting, Parking assistance, Head-up Display (HUD), Turn-by-turn directions, Weather forecast map

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Standard: Live traffic, Places | $3.99 | per month |
| Premium - Speed Limits, Alerts | $6.99 | per month |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Google Maps free?

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

### Is Waye Navigation & Live Traffic free?

Waye Navigation & Live Traffic is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Google Maps or Waye Navigation & Live Traffic?

Google Maps is rated higher. Google Maps averages 4.7 out of 5 from 7.4M ratings, while Waye Navigation & Live Traffic averages 4.4 from 353 ratings.

### Do Google Maps or Waye Navigation & Live Traffic have ads?

Google Maps shows ads; Waye Navigation & Live Traffic does not.

### Which is updated more often, Google Maps or Waye Navigation & Live Traffic?

Google Maps ships an update every 5 days, and Waye Navigation & Live Traffic monthly. Most recently, Google Maps was updated on November 7, 2026 and Waye Navigation & Live Traffic on November 6, 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.*