Man tests Google Maps vs Apple Maps vs Waze on CarPlay over three years to see which is best and then ranks them
Published on Jan 15, 2026 at 6:22 PM (UTC+4)
by Henry Kelsall
Last updated on Jan 15, 2026 at 6:23 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
A man has tested Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Waze on Apple CarPlay for over three years to determine which navigation service is best.
The dilemma of which of the big three map apps to use has been a hot debate for years – all offer pros and cons, and there doesn’t seem to be one single correct answer.
Nick O’Leary wanted to settle the debate, so he tested all three out to come to his own conclusion.
A recent video on his YouTube channel delivered his verdict on which map service he thought was the best.
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Comparing Google Maps to Waze and Apple Maps
Apple Maps is, of course, primarily on Apple devices, such as the iPhone and iPad.
Google Maps, while default on Android devices, is available to download on Apple products.
Waze, meanwhile, is a third-party app and is available for users of both Apple and Android devices.
Google Maps has been around the longest, and thus has the largest data set.
Apple Maps, Nick said, had a rough start, often directing him to different countries!
Waze, meanwhile, was acquired by Google in 2013 for $1.3 billion, but it still operates independently.
While Apple has a very clean and modern look, Google Maps benefits from all of that data.
Waze, meanwhile, has a more lighthearted appearance, but that is not a criticism by any means.
Which of the three map services is the best?
Google is quite handy in that it will suggest the best route, give you traffic information, and let you know if it’s getting better.
On the move, Google can also offer a faster route should one become available on both a phone and via CarPlay.
Apple Maps offers various routes, while Waze simply gives you the fastest possible.
The Apple software easily allows you to add a stopover as well en route, for example, at a gas station.
Google Maps is very similar in that regard, as is Waze.
Apple Maps, meanwhile, can give you a rundown of what is at a certain location.
Waze and Google don’t do that.
Interestingly, Google Maps does this on the mobile app, but not on the CarPlay app.
At the end of the video, Nick gives his overall thoughts on each service used with CarPlay.
In conclusion, he said that Google Maps has better reliability overall and is the overall winner.
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, offering 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, allowing 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’, which 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 is a content writer with nearly ten years experience, having written for various publications since 2017. Qualifying with a Sports Journalism degree from Staffordshire University, Henry loves all things automotive but has a particular soft spot for classic Japanese cars and anything Lancia. He also has a curious passion for steam locomotives.
