MARLVEL

Google Maps vs its rivals

Side-by-side comparison against Google Maps's closest competitors — identity, store metrics, ratings & sentiment, and strategic intel.

Google Maps
This App
ADAC Drive: Tanken Laden Route
Nemesis
Genius Maps Car GPS Navigation
Contender
511 Arizona
Contender
地铁地图 Pro-全国地铁站点和换乘路线查询专业版
Contender
어디GO - 실시간 지하철 버스 대중교통 위치 시각화
Contender
Phuket Travel Guide Offline
Peer
Key West Travel Guide Offline
Peer
Tracer - Easy Location Logger
Peer
Hamilton buses - MonTransit
Peer
Core Identity
DeveloperGoogle LLCAllgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club e.V. (ADAC)MIREO d.d.Arizona Dept of Transportation北京才牛图科技有限公司byeongyun kwonGonzalo JuarezeTips LTDKoichiro KamadaMTransit Apps
CategoryNavigationMaps & NavigationMaps & NavigationTravelNavigationNavigationNavigationNavigationNavigationMaps & Navigation
PlatformAndroid, iOSAndroidAndroidiOSiOSiOS, AndroidiOSiOSiOSAndroid
Store Metrics
Rating4.7 / 53.5 / 53.8 / 52.6 / 50.0 / 55.0 / 55.0 / 52.7 / 50.0 / 50.0 / 5
Ratings Count7,254,51733,38513,00987028300
PriceFreeFreeFreeFree$0.99FreeFreeFreeFreeFree
Release DateDec 13, 2012Sep 12, 2013Jan 15, 2014Mar 22, 2019Mar 1, 2023Mar 29, 2024Nov 20, 2015Jul 6, 2016Jul 31, 2016Jun 1, 2015
Last UpdatedJun 29, 2026May 12, 2026Aug 26, 2025Jul 28, 2025Mar 20, 2026May 5, 2026Jan 23, 2026Dec 17, 2017May 18, 2026May 12, 2026
Sentiment & Reviews
Sentimentnegative--mixed---mixed--
Score35/100--50/100---40/100--
Praises
  • Authentic local business discovery remains a core utility for users seeking reliable services
--
  • Authoritative state-verified data
---
  • Offline functionality
--
Complaints
  • Navigation accuracy and routing logic failures cause significant frustration during daily travel
--
  • UI/UX friction
---
  • Technical debt and lack of updates
--
Requests
  • Dedicated altitude measurement tool requested to provide precise elevation data without third-party apps
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Strategic Intel
Strengths
  • Massive ecosystem of business reviews and photos creates a high-barrier discovery moat
  • Editors' Choice badge across five markets sustains organic install velocity
  • System-level integration with local business discovery drives high-volume ad-impression inventory
--
  • Authoritative state-verified data feeds provide a source-of-truth advantage
  • Commercial vehicle restriction mapping serves a niche, high-value professional segment
---
  • Augmented reality overlay provides a distinct exploration mechanism
  • Offline-first architecture eliminates roaming-charge friction for international travelers
--
Weaknesses
  • 0.7★ Android-iOS rating gap on majority Android base
  • Navigation logic failures reported in high-frequency user reviews
  • Post-update UI regressions hide essential navigation settings
--
  • 2.64-star rating indicates significant UI/UX friction
  • Lack of integrated voice-guided navigation drives users to general-purpose competitors
---
  • 2.67-star rating indicates poor stability
  • 2017-era codebase signals abandonment to potential users
  • Freemium gate lacks clear value-add
--
Pricingfreefreefreemiumfreepaidfreefreefreemiumfreefree
MomentumIntense--Maintenance-Intense-ZombieIntense-
Update Cadence5 versions, ~5d avg--5 versions, 2 majors/6mo, ~127d avg-5 versions-3 versions, 1 majors/6mo, ~214d avg5 versions-

Compare Google Maps head-to-head

Disclosure: Independent intel to help mobile builders succeed.

AI-powered analysis with editorial review, built from publicly available sources. Marlvel.ai is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Google Maps, its developer, the app publisher, Apple, or Google Play. All trademarks, logos, and screenshots referenced remain the property of their respective owners.

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Data licensed under CC-BY-NC 4.0