# Google Maps vs iLocation

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: iLocation at none against Google Maps's 34. Google Maps's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 4.3) and ratings volume (7.4M vs 3.9K). On price, review sentiment, ads 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. iLocation asks for nothing beyond the download.

Google Maps holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Google Maps has 7.4M ratings behind it against 3.9K, 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 36% of iLocation's.

Google Maps ships an update every 6 days, iLocation monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Google Maps | iLocation |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (7.4M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/google-maps/id585027354/reviews)** | [4.3 (3.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ilocation-here/id647695160/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **7.4M** | 3.9K |
| Positive reviews | **43.5% of reviews** | 36.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 days** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#1** | — |
| Size | 469 MB | 5 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Google](https://appshunter.io/developer/281956209) | [Jeonghwan Kim](https://appshunter.io/developer/429842114) |

## 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


### iLocation

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ilocation-here/id647695160)

Easily search and share your current or a specified location. Get coordinates, addresses, and compass bearings. Save locations, share via URL, and explain your whereabouts without speaking.

**Highlights:** Search and share location, Display current location information, Show coordinates and address, Compass bearing display, Change map format, Save location to Favorites, Share location via URL

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 💕 Positive sentiment
- 👍 Good maps
- 🆗 Okay

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🚫 Doesn't work
- 🤔 Confusing
- 💰 Paid version required
- 🕹️ Useless
- 🙅‍♀️ Scam

**Reported bugs**

- Doesn't recognize location
- Doesn't spoof GPS

**Requested features**

- Rename the app
- Be more transparent


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Google Maps free?

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

### Is iLocation free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Google Maps or iLocation?

Google Maps is rated higher. Google Maps averages 4.7 out of 5 from 7.4M ratings, while iLocation averages 4.3 from 3.9K ratings.

### Do Google Maps or iLocation have ads?

Both Google Maps and iLocation show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Google Maps or iLocation?

Google Maps ships an update every 6 days, and iLocation monthly. Most recently, Google Maps was updated on September 24, 2026 and iLocation on September 22, 2026.

---

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