Google Maps vs. Waze: I've driven 100+ miles with the two best navigation apps - this one's better

Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. Waze is great for fast reroutes and real-time driver alerts. Google Maps has deep Gemini integration and more features. Both apps keep improving, but which one is truly the best? The internet is loaded with claims that Waze leaves Google Maps in the dust. But is that really true? I'm a longtime Google Maps (and Google Earth) user. I swear by it and regularly side-eye anyone who says otherwise (especially, god forbid, Apple Maps users). Also: I tested Google Maps vs. Apple Maps to find the best navigation app - and this one wins I'm a tech editor, though, so I do my best to set aside personal bias in the name of journalism. Every now and then, I force myself to try alternative navigation apps, including Waze, which, in case you didn't know, Google acquired in 2013. So, if you're looking for a feature-by-feature breakdown of how Waze actually compares to Google Maps, you've come to the right place. I've tested both to find out which one will get me where I need to go faster, smarter, and better. Is Waze or Google Maps better? Let's look at all…