How Much Data Does Waze Use 2018

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Whether you're driving for a rideshare app or heading somewhere when you're off the clock, getting the right directions is an absolute must.

For many drivers, choosing the best navigation app comes downward to a tough choice betwixt two top contenders: Waze vs. Google Maps.

Our app stores are saturated with hundreds of navigation app options these days, with each one vying to be your download of option.

But while every app will claim its own unique benefits, there's probably one that edges out the residuum for your specific needs.

Even though there are plenty of navigation options out there, you lot've probably noticed 2 apps are always at the top of the list: Google Maps andWaze

Drivers all over the country are quick to debate the two, much like tech consumers battling between Apple iPhone or Android.

This commodity will provide a comprehensive side-by-side comparison of Waze and Google Maps, two of the virtually pop navigation apps in the market today.

We're finally going to settle the dispute, and give an unbiased counterbalanced review of the two apps, so you'll know which is the best 1 for you.

Let'due south become started.

Overview:

Waze vs. Google Maps: The Basics

Earlier we dive into a head-on comparing, permit'south define the two contenders.

Waze and Google Maps are both Google-owned global mapping apps that are congenital for iPhones and Androids, but each platform has successfully maintained its ain user base.

Despite the fact that the apps both autumn into the navigation category, they tin hands be distinguished by users.

Google Maps is perhaps the nearly widely recognized app effectually.

Founded in 2005, it's ane of the earliest mapping platforms and has nearly 130 million more users than Waze in the U.S. solitary.

The Google Maps app has long been known every bit the golden standard in navigation, due to the fact that it provides loftier-quality directions for far more than driving.

Information technology also supports directions for walking, biking, and fifty-fifty public transportation.

They are blistering more than community-based features into the app, but it focuses more on Google's huge domination of mapping.

Waze, on the other hand, is a purely driver-focused app that was founded in 2008 and caused by Google Maps 5 years later.

The platform is best known for its heavily crowd-sourced approach, every bit it uses customs-driven information nigh road weather from its users.

When yous open up the app, Waze also clearly takes a more mod approach, offering a minimalist (admitting, somewhat cartoonish) interface in comparing to the traditional expect of Google Maps.

Drivers can share real-time data most accidents, traffic incidents, speed limits, speed traps, and other trip information that helps other drivers navigate the fastest possible route.

Waze screenshot and Google Maps screenshot to show Waze vs Google Maps showdown

While these two navigation apps are heavy contenders, it's worth again noting that they share the same parent company: Google.

Google actually caused Waze for more than a billion dollars back in 2013, but since then the apps have continued to operate independently.

They service similar functions in getting you around, but they offer two different methods of doing so.

Just if the app's bodily functionality is what matters near to you, you'll need to swoop deeper into how Waze and Google Maps actually work.

The Main Differences Betwixt Google Maps and Waze

vector graphic of two phones side by side to demonstrate battle between waze vs google maps

While both apps offer turn by plough directions, there are a few key differences between Google Maps and Waze:

Waze is community-based, Google Maps is more data-based.
Waze is pretty much only for cars, Google Maps offers walking, driving, biking, and public transportation directions. They also take built-in "Explore" features that allow users to see events, reviews, photos, points of interest, etc. There's even the "street view" mode to see things at street level.
Waze requires a information connectedness, Google Maps is available offline.
Google Maps includes business data such equally menus, hours, and phone numbers, while Waze does not.
Waze offers real-fourth dimension info such as route closures, road hazards, traffic alerts and real-time traffic weather condition based on driver data. Google Maps has simply started to include some of these features recently.
Google Maps uses a traditional navigation interface, while Waze offers a sleek and minimal interface using the latest in design language.
Google Maps is fairly basic, Waze offers a high level of customization (including glory voices!)
Google Maps is standard in Tesla vehicles, yet you must download Tesla Waze for Waze to piece of work in a Tesla.

In short, Google Maps is a simple but powerful navigation tool that selects the quickest and most efficient route.

Waze collects data from a agglomeration of different users and leverages that data to tailor your trip experience, giving yous the most efficient route that's free of obstacles and other nuisances.

Comparing Interfaces

The Waze app interface goes for style without giving up minimalism (which I'm a huge fan of). It has all the details yous need and uses 3D graphics to catch your attention.

Waze initially targeted early on adopters of tech who opted for a sleek and well-designed interface to bring them on board. And it's been a successful arroyo.

Waze now has a Spotify integration and tin even quickly identify the nearest gas station (Google Maps can do this to, but it takes a little bit more work).

Google Maps, on the other hand, has a pretty dated interface.

The downside to this is that it resembles Mapquest, a massive throwback to the late 90s/early 2000s.

The upside is that while simple and dated, in that location'southward non a lot of fluff to go lost in, and minimal distractions to the user when driving around.

In terms of functioning, Waze moves around a lot. The app changes locations, shifts, rotates, and pans when y'all change directions.

There are very bold, advised directions at the top of the app, which brand missing a direction incredibly difficult.

As you drive, at that place are "pins" like potholes, speed traps, and traffic jams that popular up, and they are very easy to avoid.

Using Google Maps is similar to Waze, simply very user-friendly. The Google Maps app likewise moves effectually, but but when necessary.

Google Maps also displays directions at the top of the app, and gives you plenty of notice when you demand to take an activeness.

Winner: Google Maps

I similar the interface of Google Maps better than the interface of Waze.

While the minimalism isn't for everyone, I like it because it cuts down on distractions while I'm navigating to my destination.

Real-Time Data

Though information technology's unknown exactly how much data is shared between the 2 apps, Waze and Google Maps are known to collect real-fourth dimension traffic data from users who are already on the road.

Considering of this, both apps do provide accurate directions that have into account traffic jams, major road closures, and more.

Your ETA should be accurate on both platforms, as well. Still, Waze's crowd-sourcing model does smooth in this category.

Waze users can easily submit information about road hazards, local street closures, and car accidents that your Google Maps app may non immediately observe, so you'll go an extra layer of existent-fourth dimension accurateness.

While Google Maps has built in new features to back up user-provided data in recent years, they're definitely not equally well-known or heavily used.

Waze, on the other hand, emphasizes user reports on its homepage. Of course, this isn't to say that Waze always provides the best routes.

ecause information technology'southward more heavily dependent on community reports, it tends to thrive in major cities — specially in Boston, New York City, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Chicago — but isn't ever the platonic map app for users in smaller cities or suburban or rural areas.

Winner: Waze

We adopt the Waze interface because it provides much more actionable information.

You tin rapidly see the cause of a traffic jam or see if they are reports of police cars coming ahead.

Map Features

Beyond routing, both Google Maps and Waze provide special features that can improve your driving feel.

Both apps tin brandish the local speed limit, then you always know how fast you should be driving.

Waze additionally lets users report where local speed traps are, so yous can ensure you're inside the legal speed limit before y'all come across ane.

Yet, if you lot're seeking local destinations, Google Maps can help.

Because Google concern pages are integrated into the platform, you tin easily detect nearby businesses, along with photos and user reviews about each one, and can fifty-fifty go suggestions catered to you if y'all create an account.

Google Maps too supports its street view feature, so you ever know you lot're arriving at the right storefront or residence.

If you're specifically looking for nearby gas stations, Waze tin take the atomic number 82. The app includes real-time gas cost information, provided by users, then yous can save coin when you need a fill-upwardly.

Another helpful Waze characteristic? You can request roadside assistance from your fellow Wazers.

Instead of waiting for help from your insurance company or a friend for minor issues, y'all may exist able to find someone who'due south already nearby to help you with a flat tire or bound-starting your automobile.

Winner: Google Maps

If I'm using a navigation app, I either don't know where I'thou going, or I am using it to keep runway of time so I'chiliad not late.

The Street View feature is pretty cool, and so I have to give this 1 to Google Maps.

Ease of Route

Despite the fact that Google Maps and Waze may share some data, their algorithms often formulate completely unlike routes.

This is considering Waze is designed to get you lot to your destination as fast as possible — fifty-fifty if you lot're only shaving off thirty seconds.

Waze can definitely be helpful when you're in a time crunch, but this emphasis on speed can actually brand your route unpleasant and harder to navigate.

Users frequently written report unnecessary turns, U-turns, and freeway exits. In rarer cases, y'all may be taken through alleyways only to get to your location.

Google Maps, on the other hand, almost always provides logical suggested and alternative routes, without sacrificing likewise much fourth dimension. You'll also become lane aid, and then you never miss an go out or turn.

If you lot have passengers in your car, Google Maps is the more than consistent way to provide a great ride feel without the risk of getting lost. Otherwise, you can take your pick.

If you don't mind frequent turns, Waze truly can assistance you salvage fourth dimension on the road.

Winner: Google Maps

When driving, I don't need any extra hassle or frustration.

The weird routing that Waze does sometimes works, merely non every time. For that, Google Maps takes the win on this bespeak.

Ability to Customize

When y'all desire an experience catered particularly for you, both navigation apps can provide a wide range of features that tin can be customized.

Regardless of which app you lot choose, you can opt to avoid freeways and tolls, connect with Spotify, and change your navigation voice.

However, Waze does go above and beyond in terms of customization.

In addition to its Spotify integration, the mapping app supports a large number of audio apps for listening to music, podcasts, audio books, and more.

Plus, while Google Maps only allows yous to modify between accents and languages, Waze allows you to take fun with your navigation by selecting celebrity and graphic symbol voice prompts, too.

More than practically, Waze also enables you to get the all-time routing and gas price information for your specific car type.

Simply past inputting data virtually your vehicle, you'll get Waze maps that have into account whether you're eligible for the carpool lane or fifty-fifty commercial routes.

Waze users tin fifty-fifty choose to avert unpaved roads to salvage their tires.

Winner: Waze

When it comes to customization, Waze blows Google Maps out of the water. This one is a no-brainer – Waze.

Data Usage

User interface and features are great, simply what about information usage? This factor plays a large role in determining the winner of the Waze vs Google Maps saga.

If y'all're on a strict data programme, yous're already sucking down massive amounts of data from using Uber and Lyft.

If you don't watch out for the information usage, you'll start to pick up unwanted overages and extra charges.

Permit's take a look at how much data each app uses.

How much data does Waze use?

The amount of data that Waze uses is dependent on a number of factors, including the corporeality of time y'all use it, trip distance, etc..

But let's accept a look at a quick real-world example from our favorite source, Reddit.

My information: Virtually 15MB boilerplate a calendar month driving near 1 hr a solar day on average. And then about 0.five MB a day. Multiply that by 5 and that's ii.v MB a day if you drive for 5 hours. This is 35 MB for the 2 weeks you suggested.

This seems a bit low, merely other drivers likewise seem to hold that they're using something like.

This is one of the biggest drawbacks of Waze – it requires a constant internet connection to part.

Unless you have Wi-Fi in your car, this means you can await to utilise a significant amount of information anytime yous're using the app on the road.

How much information does Google Maps employ?

Like Waze, the amount of data used by Google Maps depends on the factors listed in a higher place.

For this instance, we'll take a wait at a contempo post on the Andoid Apps section of Reddit:

I also checked the logs afterwards the fact on my provider'south website. I saw that the data download occurred in bulk at the guess time I left earlier the trip. There was very little data used while I was actually driving. The majority of the data downloaded all at once when I gear up the trip.

It looks like Google Maps might be a bit more than efficient at managing the data used past the navigation app.

One of the reasons for this is because Google Maps offers the ability to download a location, switch data off, and still get to where you lot need to go.

This is a great characteristic if you're traveling abroad and don't have an international information programme. If your smartphone has a limited data plan, Google Maps is the articulate choice, cheers to its reliable offline maps.

As long as y'all have your information on when yous beginning your drive or when you lot demand help rerouting, you tin get to your destination with or without a connection.

Even if you accept unlimited information, you may want to consider Google Maps for its offline functionality.

If you ever lose your signal — which tin happen frequently in a moving vehicle, especially outside of the city — y'all won't be stranded without directions when using the original mapping app.

Winner: Google Maps

Google Maps is the winner here because the ability to download maps while your connected to Wifi is a huge advantage.

Our Winner: Waze

When we drive for Uber or Lyft, Waze is the become-to GPS. Of all the mapping apps and GPS apps out there, no app is better at providing alternate routes to save fourth dimension (and money).

It's more than useful based on the sheer amount of data it collects through its massive user base; which is not only extremely valuable, only presented in a visual and actionable style.

Considering of the social features, Waze offers meliorate routes to avert traffic and potholes (or have their time wasted because y'all get pulled over for a ticket).

There are so many other new features that come standard, all of which provide a huge upside to y'all and the rider.

Withal, Google Maps is all the same very reliable.

If yous aren't too concerned about avoiding traffic or shaving a minute or ii off your drive time, Google Maps works perfectly fine.

Google Maps is our navigation app of choice when traveling long distances or overseas because of the offline maps characteristic.

We likewise similar the public transit direction on Google Maps, but most people won't demand that feature.

Navigate to Your Destination With Ease

Google is clearly dominating the navigation market, every bit the owner of the two biggest mapping apps in the Us.

Withal, when comparing Waze vs. Google Maps, it becomes clear that both accept unique pros and cons that go along to distinguish them from each other and from their competitors.

Google Maps is the most widely used navigation app in the U.South., offering trusted data and logical routes for just almost any drive — whether or not y'all have an internet connection.

Waze is a rise, modern mapping app that gets you places faster, all while improving your experience through user-provided data.

If you own an iPhone and are yet unsure if Waze or Google Maps are correct for you lot, you may want to consider your native app, likewise.

Despite many setbacks in its early on stages, Apple Maps is now widely used by iPhone users. Read our Apple Maps vs. Google Maps comparing to make an informed choice for your commutes.