Sygic GPS Navigation compared to Google Maps and Waze
When we think of a navigation app, it is typically an app for mobile devices that offers navigation features such as turn-by-turn directions, maps, traffic information and estimated time of arrival. Sygic is one of the most advanced navigation systems on the market, so we often receive questions from new users regarding the main differences between the Sygic GPS Navigation app and Google Maps or Waze.
Sygic is the most downloaded offline navigation app that boasts over 200 million downloads. Sygic GPS Navigation provides offline high-quality maps from TomTom that you download to your device. The app also comes with features like turn-by-turn navigation, voice-guided directions with spoken street names, alternative routes, speed limits, and many more. Google Maps and Waze are both GPS apps owned by Google. Waze can be used only in online mode, which requires mobile data. When using Google Maps, you can download a selected map range to your phone.
Please have a look at the overview of main features and find out why we think Sygic GPS Navigation provides the best navigation experience for a safe and comfortable drive.
| FEATURE | SYGIC GPS NAVIGATION | GOOGLE MAPS / WAZE |
|---|---|---|
| Navigation without mobile data | CORE FUNCTION | Google Maps LIMITED, Waze NO |
| When you are driving in rural areas or foreign countries, mobile data can be a problem. | Sygic doesn’t need mobile data to get you somewhere. You simply download maps quickly and easily in a compact format and store them in your device or SD card (only Android devices). You can navigate, browse maps or search for destinations in the app without an internet connection. | Waze and Google Maps require an internet connection for search, map browsing and turn-by-turn navigation. |
| Speed limit warnings | CUSTOMIZABLE | LIMITED |
| Knowing the speed limit is extremely important for safe driving and to avoid speeding tickets. | Sygic GPS Navigation has a Speedometer and Speed limits, so you will always see your current speed and the maximum allowed speed. On top of that, you can customize the warning sound, or even turn it off completely. | Both apps provide speed limits in selected countries only, no customization options. |
| Traffic information based on data from premium traffic providers | GUARANTEED | CROWD SOURCED |
| The best way to avoid delays on the road is to drive with a reliable traffic information service. | Sygic GPS Navigation offers Traffic information, powered by a premium service provider – TomTom, who collects data from more than 400 million drivers. The amazingly accurate real-time traffic information is updated every 2 minutes. | Traffic information coverage varies from country to country as it is dependent on available community information and traffic reports by drivers. |
| Lane assistant | ADVANCED | SIMPLIFIED |
| Driving in unfamiliar territories can be very difficult. Lane assistant will lead you into the correct lane. | Dynamic Lane assistant in Sygic GPS Navigation clearly shows the right lane to drive in. You will get a clear look ahead before reaching a complicated intersection, so you can prepare for changing the lanes. | The apps announce lane change verbally, in addition to zooming in on the map with arrow indicator. |
| Premium Add-ons | NAVIGATION-FOCUSED | DISPLAY-FOCUSED |
| Smart Add-ons features will make your drive safer and more comfortable. | Head-up Display projects navigation instruction onto the windshield at night. Dashcam records what’s happening on the road ahead. Real View Navigation uses augmented reality for a more immersive navigation experience. Cockpit measures your car’s performance. All these smart features use your device’s hardware (sensors, camera, display), there’s no need to buy additional hardware and all you need to do is focus on the road ahead. | These mobile apps provide features that take the drivers concentration off the road to the device display. Street view, satellite maps and social features are nice, but take a lot of the driver’s attention off the road. |
| Pricing | FREEMIUM | FREE - You pay with (your) data |
| Everything comes at a price and navigation is not different. | Sygic GPS Navigation is free and provides various premium and add-on services on top. In the past, offline navigation was quite expensive, but thanks to the mobile platform and its competition, prices are at an all-time low. | Being the pre-installed app of the platform has its benefits. Instead, Google and Waze focus on data collection, which is later used to target advertising across various platforms. |
| Commercial adds | SELF-PROMOTING | 3rd PARTIES INVOLVED |
| Ads for other products and companies while using the apps. | Sygic does not show ads of other companies in the app. Absolutely no third-party ads for both free and Premium users. Instead, Sygic promotes its own features. | Mainly Waze shows banners, pins, video ads and ads in search results. |
| Premium Customer support | EASY TO REACH | HARD TO CONTACT |
| How can users get in touch when they have questions regarding the usage of the app? | Sygic provides customer support via email and chat. Highly trained and skilled customer care professionals help Sygic customers with any questions, ideas or when they require after-sale care. They are available 7 days a week and even on holidays. | Mostly community information on the web page. No email and chat support, or simply very hard to reach. |
There are of course plenty more navigation features in Sygic GPS Navigation. Please visit our website for more info.
Have a look at this independent comparison report, if you would like to learn more about the differences between Sygic and Google Maps.
