Waze alternatives: 6 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 1, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Waze: driving and motorcycles only, no transit, walking or cycling, and no offline maps. We ranked 6 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Waze, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Google Maps currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#	App	Pricing	Open source	Platforms	Verified facts	Score
1	Apple Maps	Free	No	iOS, macOS, Web	4 of 4	64.8

1. Apple MapsTop pick
Best for: iPhone and Mac owners who want good built-in navigation without a Google account
FreeiOS, macOS, Web
64.8
score / 100
Why switch from Waze
Built into iPhone and CarPlay with incident reporting, without Waze's in-drive ads.
Pros
Preinstalled and deeply integrated with Siri, CarPlay and Apple Watch
Real-time transit info and cycling routes with elevation
No ads and stronger privacy defaults than Google Maps
Cons
Business listings and reviews are thinner than Google's in many regions
Best features need Apple devices
Look Around and cycling directions are limited to select areas
Visit Apple Maps Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.387
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.15100
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is Apple Maps a good Waze alternative?
Verified facts
4 of 4 verified
Transit
Real-time arrivals and departures
Checked Oct 29, 2026apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
Street-level imagery
Look Around
Checked Oct 29, 2026apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
Cycling
Routes with elevation profile
Checked Oct 29, 2026apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
Imagery privacy
Faces and plates blurred
Checked Oct 29, 2026apple.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Waze alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Best Waze alternative for most people

Google Maps

Google's other map app, adding walking, cycling and transit directions plus offline areas to similar live traffic.

Best Waze alternative for a free option

Apple Maps

Built into iPhone and CarPlay with incident reporting, without Waze's in-drive ads.

Best Waze alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

OsmAnd

Open-source offline navigation with detailed OpenStreetMap data and no ads, for people who'd rather not share location.

Best Waze alternative for open source

Organic Maps

Open-source and fully offline, with no ads or tracking, for drivers who don't need live traffic.

Best Waze alternative for Mac

Apple Maps

Built into iPhone and CarPlay with incident reporting, without Waze's in-drive ads.

Best Waze alternative for Linux

Organic Maps

Open-source and fully offline, with no ads or tracking, for drivers who don't need live traffic.

Best Waze alternative for iPhone and Android

HERE WeGo

Free navigation with downloadable offline maps and transit routes, for drives through areas with poor signal.

Best Waze alternative for working in the browser

Google Maps

Google's other map app, adding walking, cycling and transit directions plus offline areas to similar live traffic.

Waze alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Waze?

Google Maps ranks first right now. Google's other map app, adding walking, cycling and transit directions plus offline areas to similar live traffic. Apple Maps and Organic Maps follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Waze?

Yes. Google Maps (free), Apple Maps (free), Organic Maps (open source) and HERE WeGo (free) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Waze?

Yes: Organic Maps and OsmAnd.

Which Waze alternatives work on Linux?

Organic Maps runs on Linux.

Why do people switch from Waze?

The complaints we hear most: driving and motorcycles only, no transit, walking or cycling; no offline maps; shows location-based ads while you drive.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Waze, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.