You may use Google Maps to avoid traffic congestion and get to your destination on time, but Waze has features that make it stand out from Google’s maps app.
Google Maps has established itself as one of the most widely used and comprehensive mapping applications in the world, having held a dominant position for several years. But within the Google ecosystem there is an equally interesting alternative: Waze.
This application was launched in 2009 as a free navigation app, where it quickly stood out for its functions by combining real-time data and an active community of users to offer a faster and more efficient driving experience.
Since its release, Waze has evolved into a community-based platformwith map publishers, beta testers and partners to provide real-time traffic data on accidents, congestion, speed cameras, potholes and much more.
Due to its success and its complete functions, in 2013, Google acquired the service for about 966 million dollars, which allowed it to integrate new functions. It should be noted that as users use the app and report accidents along the routeaccumulate points and level up.
Waze has managed to seamlessly combine real-time data with social interaction and gamification to make road travel more engaging..
The app not only provides accurate or up-to-date routes, but also creates a large community of drivers who share useful information, the goal being to help each other.
Is Waze better than Google Maps?
Although Google Maps continues to be a fairly popular and reliable option, Waze has earned a special place in the hearts of those looking for a more interactive browsing experience.but above all, based on the community.
It is for this reason that there are features that Waze does much better than Google Mapsand this has earned it a large following, both on iOS and Android devices, as well as its use in the car with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Next, we share a list with the features where Waze beats Google Maps:
- Real-time traffic information: Waze does much better than Google Maps when it comes to providing real-time traffic information. Everything is possible thanks to the community behind it, which are the ones that report road accidents, with up-to-date information.
- Radar alert and speed limits: One of the most appreciated features of Waze is its speed limit alerts and fixed or mobile speed cameras, which helps drivers stay within the limits allowed by the DGT.
- Integration with music apps: The app seamlessly integrates with various music and social media apps, allowing drivers to listen to their favorite music without ever leaving the app, something that can be done on Google Maps, but works much better on Waze , since users can share their real location with friends.
- Fun and personalized voice-based navigation: In this section, users can choose from a variety of different voices, including celebrities and fictional characters that guide you which way to go, providing a touch of fun.
- Carpool and shared rides: One of Waze’s star features is Carpool, which allows drivers to offer or find carpools with others headed in the same direction. According to Google, the feature encourages car sharing and can help reduce traffic jams.
Although Google Maps is a navigation and maps application widely used by millions of users around the world, Waze takes the lead in some features, all thanks to the help of the community that is growing day by day.
If you appreciate a more interactive, fun and social experience, it may be the perfect choice. Also, it is completely free to download and use on mobile devices, it can even be used without an account for basic features.