Little-known Google Maps competitor is actually turning into a real rival with feature users say could make them switch
Published on Mar 17, 2026 at 4:04 AM (UTC+4)
by Henry Kelsall
Last updated on Mar 16, 2026 at 7:55 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
The debate as to which navigation app is the best has been going on for some time, but while many claim Google Maps is the king, another competitor is hoping to become a real contender.
MapQuest is a relatively little-known alternative to the giants from Google and Apple, yet this quirky little app is starting to become much more prominent.
A new update has been published for iOS devices, adding new functionality that other apps are actually missing.
If you use Google Maps, Apple Maps, or even Waze, you may want to reconsider.
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What the new update adds to MapQuest
The new update is particularly useful for those on an Apple iPhone.
According to the update notes, the app can now access information in the address field of our contact lists.
If you want to drive to your friend’s house and have their address saved, this makes things a lot easier.
Give the app access to your contacts list, pick the contact, and it will pick the destination.
That isn’t something Google or Apple currently offers when head-to-head with its new competitor.
Another update for iPhone users is the support for Live Activities.
If you have it giving you turn-by-turn directions, the app can see the journey in real-time.
This will appear on both the iPhone lock screen and the Dynamic Island.
But MapQuest isn’t done there either.
How the app aims to fight Google and Apple
Another update adds dialogue for street names on the app.
This helps to make navigation a bit more straightforward, plus the app also has voice lane guidance.
Lane guidance support was added to MapQuest in February 2026.
Voice instructions help users stay in the correct lane during their journey.
Also added was the ability to know when traffic lights or stop signs are up ahead.
This should allow drivers to approach intersections a little more carefully.
It is displayed directly onto the map itself, meaning it won’t get in the way of the user.
While it’s not quite on the same level yet, MapQuest is making a strong case as a competitor to Google and Apple map apps.
In fact, we may one day be discussing MapQuest as the main competitor for the big navigation applications.
Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Waze history
Apple Maps
September 2012 (Launch): Released with iOS 6, replacing Google Maps as the default navigation app on iPhones, though it faced criticism for initial data errors.
2015 (Transit): Added comprehensive public transportation routing (bus, train, subway) with the release of iOS 9.
2019 (Look Around): Introduced ‘Look Around’ with iOS 13. Offers high-resolution, smooth 3D street-level imagery to compete with Google Street View.
2023 (Offline Mode): Finally added the ability to download maps for offline use with iOS 17. Allows navigation without an active internet connection.
Google Maps
February 2005 (Launch): Officially launched as a desktop web service, revolutionizing digital mapping with draggable maps and satellite imagery
May 2007 (Street View): Introduced Street View, a groundbreaking feature providing 360-degree panoramic views of streets worldwide
October 2009 (Navigation): Released free turn-by-turn voice navigation for mobile, effectively disrupting the paid standalone GPS hardware market
February 2023 (Immersive View): Rolled out ‘Immersive View.’ Uses AI to fuse billions of Street View and aerial images into 3D representations of routes and landmarks
Waze
2006–2009 (Origins): Began as ‘FreeMap Israel’, an open-source community project, before rebranding to Waze and launching globally on mobile in 2009
June 2013 (Acquisition): Acquired by Google for approximately $1.1 billion to integrate Waze’s unique real-time, crowd-sourced traffic data into Google Maps
2016 (Carpool): Launched Waze Carpool to connect drivers with riders for commuting (a distinct service from Uber/Lyft), though the service was eventually shuttered in 2022
December 2022 (Merger): The Waze team was formally merged into the ‘Google Geo’ division (alongside Google Maps teams) to streamline development, though the app remains standalone
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Henry joined the Supercar Blondie team in February 2025, and since then has covered a wide array of topics ranging from EVs, American barn finds, and the odd Cold War jet. He’s combined his passion for cars with his keen interest in motorsport and his side hustle as a volunteer steam locomotive fireman at a heritage steam railway.
