# Google Maps vs Offline GPS Navigation

The clearest difference is ads: Offline GPS Navigation at none against Google Maps's shown. Offline GPS Navigation also leads on review sentiment (78% vs 44%). Google Maps's advantage is ratings volume (7.4M vs 2.9K) and chart position (#1 vs unranked). On price, rating, update cadence 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 Offline GPS Navigation sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Google Maps against 4.6 for Offline GPS Navigation. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Google Maps has 7.4M ratings behind it against 2.9K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 44% of Google Maps's written reviews are positive against 78% of Offline GPS Navigation's.

Google Maps ships an update every 6 days, Offline GPS Navigation every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Google Maps | Offline GPS Navigation |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (7.4M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/google-maps/id585027354/reviews)** | [4.6 (2.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/offline-gps-navigation/id791684332/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **7.4M** | 2.9K |
| Positive reviews | 43.5% of reviews | **77.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 days** | Every 11 days |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#1** | — |
| Size | 466 MB | 50 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 17.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** | iPhone, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Google](https://appshunter.io/developer/281956209) | [Alexander Deplov](https://appshunter.io/developer/732986218) |

## 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


### Offline GPS Navigation

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/offline-gps-navigation/id791684332)

This app helps you navigate and find your way back, even without an internet connection. Easily bookmark locations like your parked car or hiking trails, and receive precise directional guidance to return. Sync your saved spots across devices for seamless access.

**Highlights:** Walking directions, Navigational bookmarks, Parked car locator, Offline navigation, Sync across devices, Directional guidance

**Features:** Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full Access Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Full Access Yearly | $29.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simple and easy to use
- 🚀 Accurate and reliable
- 📍 Useful for finding parked cars and locations
- 🗺️ Helpful for hiking, traveling, and exploring new areas
- 💻 Works well without internet connection

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Subscription model is too expensive for some users
- 🔒 Lifetime users not grandfathered in after switch to subscription
- 🐛 Occasional issues with accuracy and pointing in the wrong direction
- 📱 Doesn't work well with magnetic cases or in cars

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes or becomes unusable when signal is weak
- Saved anchors sometimes get lost or disappear

**Requested features**

- Add option to switch between GPS heading and magnetic heading
- Improve integration with mapping apps like Apple Maps and Google Maps
- Allow importing/exporting of saved locations
- Add more customization options for anchors (icons, colors, notes, etc.)


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Google Maps free?

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

### Is Offline GPS Navigation free?

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

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

Google Maps is rated higher. Google Maps averages 4.7 out of 5 from 7.4M ratings, while Offline GPS Navigation averages 4.6 from 2.9K ratings.

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

Google Maps shows ads; Offline GPS Navigation does not.

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

Google Maps ships an update every 6 days, and Offline GPS Navigation every 11 days. Most recently, Google Maps was updated on September 25, 2026 and Offline GPS Navigation 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.*