The Quest for Maps

If your job requires you to travel frequently, there are a couple of apps you’ll want to have handy on your phone: a time clock application to record your hours and a map program to get where you’re going (and maybe find a coffee shop or a burrito on the way).

But which map application is the best?

Google Maps

Undoubtedly the most popular map out there. As with everything Google, the tech behemoth poured their incredible resources into making the most comprehensive map available and effectively obliterated the competition, just like they did with search, mail and now the internet browser itself. Google Maps is popular because it works, giving you accurate directions, the largest directory of local businesses, and support for whatever your preferred means of transportation is, whether it’s a car, bike, mass transit, or walking. There are other options, however.

Google Maps is popular because it works, giving you accurate directions, the largest directory of local businesses, and support for whatever your preferred means of transportation is, whether it’s a car, bike, mass transit, or walking. There are other options, however.

Apple Maps

Was a popular punching bag when it came out for sending to on inexplicable, Quixotic quests when they just wanted to get dinner. But Apple Maps has improved greatly since its introduction and, thanks to being the default on the iPhone, is actually more popular on that device. It also has some neat features unique to Apple, like automatically darkening the screen for nighttime driving.

MapQuest

the gold standard of maps back when you needed a printer to take your directions with you, has a new app as well that it hopes will return it to map-supremacy in a post-Google world. It’s a more stripped-down experience compared to Google’s bevy of options, but it allows you to find your way back home at the click of a button or include your favorite restaurants or stores in the map by default. Currently, it only supports driving and walking, however, which leaves most of us in

Currently, it only supports driving and walking, however, which leaves most of us in the bike and public trans-friendly cities like New York out in the cold.