Google Maps vs Waze:Which is more popular by branded search?
In August 2026, Google Maps had more branded searches than Waze among navigation apps worldwide. Google Maps was estimated to have 185M branded searches compared to Waze’s 2.2M, and held a 97.7% Share of Search versus Waze’s 1.2%. These are worldwide searches for English-language branded terms.
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Which is more popular in search, Google Maps or Waze?
Compare the apps people navigate with. Branded searches tell you how often people look for a brand by name or related terms. Comparing these searches across competitors helps you see how popular each brand is over time.
Share of Search by month for Google Maps, Waze. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of search table
| Month | Google Maps | Waze | MapQuest | Apple Maps | TomTom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 97.7% | 1.2% | 0.64% | 0.36% | 0.16% |
| Nov 2025 | 97.8% | 1.2% | 0.53% | 0.36% | 0.13% |
| Dec 2025 | 97.5% | 1.4% | 0.65% | 0.29% | 0.16% |
| Jan 2026 | 97.8% | 1.2% | 0.53% | 0.36% | 0.13% |
| Feb 2026 | 97.2% | 1.4% | 0.64% | 0.53% | 0.16% |
| Mar 2026 | 97.6% | 1.2% | 0.64% | 0.43% | 0.13% |
| Apr 2026 | 97.7% | 1.2% | 0.64% | 0.36% | 0.16% |
| May 2026 | 97.8% | 1.2% | 0.53% | 0.36% | 0.16% |
| Jun 2026 | 97.8% | 1.2% | 0.53% | 0.36% | 0.13% |
| Jul 2026 | 97.6% | 1.2% | 0.53% | 0.29% | 0.43% |
| Aug 2026 | 97.7% | 1.2% | 0.64% | 0.36% | 0.16% |
| Sep 2026 | — | — | — | — | — |
How has the Google Maps and Waze comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Google Maps was ahead of Waze in every measured month of the 11 months ending August 2026.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Google Maps’ estimated Share of Search among navigation apps worldwide held steady at 97.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 185M.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Waze’s estimated Share of Search among navigation apps worldwide held steady at 1.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 2.2M.
How did search popularity change for navigation apps worldwide in August 2026?
0 changes
Neither Google Maps nor Waze moved beyond provider rounding among navigation apps in August 2026.
How each brand is measured
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Google Maps’ and Waze’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.
Google Maps
1 branded search term
- google maps
Waze
1 branded search term
- waze
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.