# Google Maps vs Apple Maps

The clearest difference is rating: Google Maps at 4.7 against Apple Maps's 2.2. Google Maps also leads on update cadence (every 6 days vs every 4 months) and review sentiment (44% vs 15%). Apple Maps's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 34) and ads (none vs shown). On price 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. Apple Maps asks for nothing beyond the download.

Google Maps holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Google Maps has 7.4M ratings behind it against 63K, 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 15% of Apple Maps's.

Google Maps ships an update every 6 days, Apple Maps every 4 months. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Google Maps | Apple Maps |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (7.4M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/google-maps/id585027354/reviews)** | [2.2 (63K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/apple-maps/id915056765/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **7.4M** | 63K |
| Positive reviews | **43.5% of reviews** | 14.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 days** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#1** | — |
| Size | 469 MB | 12 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **10.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Google](https://appshunter.io/developer/281956209) | [Apple](https://appshunter.io/developer/284417353) |

## 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


### Apple Maps

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/apple-maps/id915056765)

Navigate and explore the world with detailed maps, turn-by-turn directions for driving, cycling, and walking, and real-time traffic information. Discover places with photos, ratings, and curated guides, and access offline maps for uninterrupted exploration.

**Highlights:** Turn-by-turn navigation, Offline maps, Real-time traffic, Place discovery, Curated guides, Augmented reality walking directions, Topographic maps

**Features:** Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent navigation
- 🗺️ Beautiful and intuitive UI
- ⏱️ Accurate ETA and traffic updates
- 🔍 Helpful search and location features
- 🌐 Seamless integration with iOS ecosystem

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Inaccurate or outdated map data
- 📍 Incorrect location pinpointing
- 🚦 Delayed or confusing turn instructions
- 🗺️ Lacking detailed information for some areas
- 🔍 Poor search and POI database

**Reported bugs**

- Frequent app crashes or freezes
- Inconsistent route recalculation
- Incorrect lane guidance information

**Requested features**

- Offline map downloads
- Customizable route preferences
- Integration with other navigation apps
- More detailed traffic and incident reporting
- Enhanced business information and reviews


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Google Maps free?

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

### Is Apple Maps free?

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

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

Google Maps is rated higher. Google Maps averages 4.7 out of 5 from 7.4M ratings, while Apple Maps averages 2.2 from 63K ratings.

### Do Google Maps or Apple Maps have ads?

Google Maps shows ads; Apple Maps does not.

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

Google Maps ships an update every 6 days, and Apple Maps every 4 months. Most recently, Google Maps was updated on September 24, 2026 and Apple Maps 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.*