We tried google maps on the way there and Apple Maps on the way back.
I expected Apple Maps to be worse but here’s what stood out to me:
1. Apple does a better job at showing vertical height. So when tons of routes go over and under each other, the map is much clearer about it whereas Google maps requires you to look for the thin breakup line.
2. Apple directions are more human friendly. Things like “take a right at the next light” instead of “take a right at XYZ street”. Also telling you to skip an exit and take the next one. It’s minor but that’s how most drivers I know prefer to be given directions.
3. When we’re walking, it does a better job at showing where the crosswalks are.
4. It did a better job at telling you which lane to be in if you needed to make a right and then a left. Google maps seemed to only care about the immediate next step whereas Apple cared about some distance.
5. Vibrating your watch when an action is coming up is great. On the way there, my partner missed a couple turns on Google Maps because they were hyper focused on the road, whereas that little watch nudge helped on the way back with Apple Maps.
6. Last one is purely subjective, but aesthetically Apple Maps is much nicer to my eyes. Things are better delineated and information is presented a little bit clearer.
That said, whereas I think Apple Maps is better for navigating, Google maps is much better for up to date information about an area. I presume that has to be just down to more users correcting things , but things like “this store is shut today unexpectedly” is much better reflected.