4 things that make Apple Maps better than Google Maps

Google does not offer such a feature. You can ask for directions using transit, which will no doubt take into account arrival times. You can also get a list of arrival times if you tap on a specific bus station, which is useful in some cases, but you can’t get a short list of upcoming arrival times at all stations near you. trying to decide between multiple options. Google should probably steal this feature because it’s really nice to have.

Integration with the Apple Ecosystem

I’m all for mixing Apple ShortcutsAutomation platform built into Apple devices. For example: I added a “Save my parking spot” button to my phone’s home page. I couldn’t create such a shortcut for Google Maps because Google doesn’t offer any Apple Shortcut integration. This is just one example of Google not going out of its way to integrate with Apple’s ecosystem.

And then there are the integrations built into Apple apps and features. The calendar app on my Mac and iPhone opens maps when I tap on an address. If I ask for directions, Siri defaults to Maps. If an Apple app offers directions, it will work through Apple Maps. You may call it unfair, but Google does the same thing on Android. Google Maps is tightly integrated with the rest of the company’s mobile operating system, and this integration can make life easier for people using those local services.

It’s just cleaner

Courtesy of Justin Pott

Over time, more and more things have been infused into Google Maps. Nothing shows this more clearly than opening both apps and seeing the contrast. Apple Maps has fewer toolbars, fewer buttons, and in my opinion, the georeferences offered on the map are more likely to be useful (perhaps because, unlike Google, fewer of them have paid ads).

Now, I’m hardly the first to point out that Apple’s app is cleaner than Google’s, and I’ll be the first to admit that the extent of the difference is subjective. But I think Apple’s design does a better job of staying out of your way, which is important when you’re just trying to get around.

Just because I mention them doesn’t mean Google Maps does nothing Better than Apple Maps. Google’s platform has a huge head start in terms of information about businesses, and even after a decade, Apple hasn’t caught up. I noticed this especially during my recent trip to Peru, where Apple Maps was largely useless. I’m sure people will contact me and point out other things that Google does better, which is fine. I just want to say that Apple Maps is pretty good now, and in several ways I think it’s better than Google Maps.

If you haven’t tried Apple Maps in a while, I highly recommend you do. You might be surprised.