# Apple Maps vs GPS Live Navigation

The clearest difference is rating: GPS Live Navigation at 3.7 against Apple Maps's 2.2. GPS Live Navigation also leads on update cadence (every 8 days vs every 4 months) and review sentiment (27% vs 15%). Apple Maps's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ads (none vs shown). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. GPS Live Navigation sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Apple Maps asks for nothing beyond the download.

GPS Live Navigation holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 2.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Apple Maps has 63K ratings behind it against 168, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 15% of Apple Maps's written reviews are positive against 27% of GPS Live Navigation's.

Apple Maps ships an update every 4 months, GPS Live Navigation every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Apple Maps | GPS Live Navigation |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.2 (63K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/apple-maps/id915056765/reviews) | **[3.7 (168 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gps-live-navigation/id1608794719/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **63K** | 168 |
| Positive reviews | 14.6% of reviews | **27.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 8 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 12 MB | 126 MB |
| Requires iOS | **10.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Apple](https://appshunter.io/developer/284417353) | [Gautam Kakadiya](https://appshunter.io/developer/1550511579) |

## What reviewers say

### 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


### GPS Live Navigation

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gps-live-navigation/id1608794719)

Navigate to any destination worldwide with real-time maps, voice guidance, and traffic alerts. Explore nearby places, view street and satellite imagery, and track your travel history. Features a digital compass for precise directions.

**Highlights:** Voice Navigation, Live Maps, Traffic Alerts, Street View, Nearby Places, Travel History, Digital Compass

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Premium Access | $1.99 | per month |
| Yearly Premium Access | $9.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🗺️ Useful for navigation and route planning
- 📍 GPS tracking functionality works
- 👍 Good map quality for some users

**What reviewers complain about**

- 📺 Excessive and intrusive advertisements
- 🐛 App frequently crashes or freezes
- ❌ Search functionality doesn't work properly
- 🗺️ Outdated or inaccurate map data
- ⚙️ Difficult to find settings and customize features

**Reported bugs**

- White screen when searching for locations
- App redirects to App Store instead of functioning
- Incorrect location display (showing wrong country/language)
- Search returns 'no results' for valid locations
- Address labels are misspelled or incorrect

**Requested features**

- Option to disable or remove advertisements
- Settings menu for unit conversion (kilometers to miles)
- Speed display and overspeed warnings
- Alternative route suggestions
- 3D and live view modes


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Apple Maps free?

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

### Is GPS Live Navigation free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Apple Maps or GPS Live Navigation?

GPS Live Navigation is rated higher. Apple Maps averages 2.2 out of 5 from 63K ratings, while GPS Live Navigation averages 3.7 from 168 ratings.

### Do Apple Maps or GPS Live Navigation have ads?

GPS Live Navigation shows ads; Apple Maps does not.

### Which is updated more often, Apple Maps or GPS Live Navigation?

Apple Maps ships an update every 4 months, and GPS Live Navigation every 8 days. Most recently, Apple Maps was updated on September 24, 2026 and GPS Live Navigation on September 22, 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.*