# Google Maps vs NYC Bus & Subway Tracker

The clearest difference is update cadence: Google Maps at every 6 days against NYC Bus & Subway Tracker's every 2 months. Google Maps also leads on ratings volume (7.4M vs 172) and rating (4.7 vs 4.5). NYC Bus & Subway Tracker's advantage is monetization model (ad-supported vs free with in-app purchases). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Google Maps sells 22 in-app purchases, starting at $0.89 per month and NYC Bus & Subway Tracker sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 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 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Google Maps has 7.4M ratings behind it against 172, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Google Maps ships an update every 6 days, NYC Bus & Subway Tracker every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Google Maps | NYC Bus & Subway Tracker |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (7.4M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/google-maps/id585027354/reviews)** | [4.5 (172 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nyc-bus-and-subway-tracker/id6476952829/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **7.4M** | 172 |
| Positive reviews | 43.4% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 days** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Ad-supported** |
| Best chart rank | **#1** | — |
| Size | 466 MB | 55 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Google](https://appshunter.io/developer/281956209) | [婧嘉 郭](https://appshunter.io/developer/1622970998) |

## 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 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


### NYC Bus & Subway Tracker

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nyc-bus-and-subway-tracker/id6476952829)

Navigate New York City's public transit with real-time MTA bus schedules and precise GPS tracking. This app offers a reliable and convenient tool to stay updated on bus locations and arrival times for a hassle-free commute.

**Highlights:** Real-time MTA bus schedules, Precise GPS tracking, Monitor bus locations, Supports MTA Express, Local, Limited, and SBS services, Utilizes free MTA Bus Time data feed

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| Yearly | $19.99 | per year |
| lifetime | $89.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Google Maps free?

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

### Is NYC Bus & Subway Tracker free?

NYC Bus & Subway Tracker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Google Maps or NYC Bus & Subway Tracker?

Google Maps is rated higher. Google Maps averages 4.7 out of 5 from 7.4M ratings, while NYC Bus & Subway Tracker averages 4.5 from 172 ratings.

### Do Google Maps or NYC Bus & Subway Tracker have ads?

Both Google Maps and NYC Bus & Subway Tracker show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Google Maps or NYC Bus & Subway Tracker?

Google Maps ships an update every 6 days, and NYC Bus & Subway Tracker every 2 months. Most recently, Google Maps was updated on September 27, 2026 and NYC Bus & Subway Tracker on September 24, 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.*