Brandwave

Apple Maps vs Rome2Rio:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Apple Maps had more branded searches than Rome2Rio among transit apps worldwide. Apple Maps had about 823,000 branded searches, while Rome2Rio had 368,000. Apple Maps made up 0.44% of all transit app searches we track, and Rome2Rio accounted for 0.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about transit apps, Apple Maps appeared in three of the five answers and Rome2Rio in one. Apple Maps was mentioned before Rome2Rio in three out of four answers that named either.

Among transit apps worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Apple Maps, about 2 searches for every 1 for Rome2Rio

Apple Maps 823K searchesRome2Rio 368K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Apple Maps, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Rome2Rio in 1

Apple Maps in 3 of 5Rome2Rio in 1 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Apple Maps, named ahead of Rome2Rio in 3 of 4 answers

Apple Maps first in 3Rome2Rio first in 1

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Top transit apps in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Apple Maps was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Rome2Rio was mentioned in one out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Apple Maps was listed before Rome2Rio in three out of four answers that named either.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Google Maps1st
  2. Transit2nd
  3. Citymapper3rd
  4. Rome2Rio4th
  5. Apple Maps5th
  6. Moovit6th

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Google Maps5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Transit4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Apple Maps3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Citymapper3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Rome2Rio1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Moovit1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about transit apps

5 answers

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.

Is Apple Maps or Rome2Rio more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Apple Maps and Rome2Rio by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six transit apps we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Apple Maps and Rome2Rio among transit apps worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Apple Maps, Rome2Rio. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthGoogle MapsApple MapsRome2RioMoovitCitymapperTransit
Oct 202599%0.36%0.24%0.24%0.13%0.03%
Nov 202599.1%0.36%0.24%0.2%0.11%0.02%
Dec 202599.1%0.3%0.24%0.24%0.13%0.03%
Jan 202699.1%0.36%0.24%0.2%0.13%0.02%
Feb 202698.8%0.54%0.29%0.24%0.13%0.02%
Mar 202698.9%0.44%0.29%0.2%0.11%0.02%
Apr 202699%0.36%0.29%0.2%0.13%0.02%
May 202699.1%0.36%0.24%0.2%0.11%0.02%
Jun 202699.1%0.36%0.24%0.16%0.13%0.02%
Jul 202699.2%0.29%0.24%0.16%0.11%0.02%
Aug 202699.1%0.36%0.24%0.16%0.11%0.02%
Sep 202699.1%0.44%0.2%0.16%0.11%0.02%

How has the Apple Maps and Rome2Rio comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Apple Maps was ahead of Rome2Rio in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Apple Maps’ share of searches among transit apps worldwide moved from 0.36% to 0.44%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 673K to 823K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Rome2Rio’s share of searches among transit apps worldwide moved from 0.24% to 0.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 450K to 368K.

How did search popularity change for transit apps worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes
  1. Estimated monthly branded searches for Apple Maps worldwide rose 22.3% over 12 measured months, from 673K to 823K in September 2026.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for Rome2Rio worldwide fell 18.2% over 12 measured months, from 450K to 368K in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Apple Maps’ and Rome2Rio’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

Apple Maps

1 branded search term

  • apple maps

Rome2Rio

1 branded search term

  • rome2rio

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

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