When should you use Waze over Google Maps?
If you care most about traffic, hazards, and avoiding speed traps, Waze is your app. It is faster at re-routing and more focused on drivers. But if you need a navigation app that gives you tons of information about businesses, parking, nearby activities and sights, and an app that works across transit types, travel modes, and vehicles, Google Maps is the best choice.
Too: You can turn off Gemini in Gmail, Photos, Chrome, and more — here’s how
If you’re in a dilemma about which app to use and when, here’s a quick decision tree.
Use Waze if…
- You are driving and want the fastest possible route.
- You love seeing live, detailed road alerts (speed traps, hazards, police).
- You want hands-free hazard reporting while driving.
- You enjoy quirky features (funny voices, avatars).
- You don’t need walking, biking, or transit directions.
Use Google Maps if…
- You can take public transport, walk or ride a bike.
- You want detailed business information and reviews.
- You want to use Street View, immersive navigation, and map layers.
- You travel internationally or need offline maps.
- You drive an EV and want charger availability or battery forecast.
- You want to use Deep Gemini AI voice assistance.
Can Waze be used offline?
Not necessary. Waze requires a data connection to function properly. It may cache parts of a route, but it doesn’t provide a true offline map, as Google Maps does.
Does Google Maps show police like Waze?
Google Maps has some basic reporting tools for things like police, but it’s not as detailed as Waze’s real-time, user-generated alerts.
Can you use Waze to walk or bike?
No, Waze is solely for drivers. If you’re walking, biking, or taking transportation, use Google Maps.
Does Waze have Street View or historical timeline data?
No, Waze does not support Street View or historical timeline data. If you want to visually explore a place before you go (like seeing what the entrance to a building looks like or checking parking availability), you’ll have to use Google Maps, which offers full Street View integration. Google Maps allows you to go back in time and see a place as it looked in the past (up to 20 years ago).
Also: How to blur your house on Google Street View – and why you should do it ASAP
Does Google Maps or Waze have incognito mode?
Yes. Google Maps has an Incognito mode that lets you browse and navigate without saving your activity to your Google Account, so your searches, routes, and visited locations aren’t recorded in your Location History or personalized recommendations. Waze doesn’t have a true incognito mode, but you can go “invisible” by hiding your live location and username from other drivers.
- To enable Incognito mode in Google Maps, tap your profile photo and select “Turn on Incognito mode.”
- To hide in Waze, tap Menu > View Profile > Go Invisible to hide.
