Maps & Navigation · head to head
Apple Maps vs Bing Maps
Apple Maps
Maps & Navigation
Web mapping and navigation application developed by Apple Inc
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
Bing Maps
Maps & Navigation
Web mapping services with street maps, aerial imagery, and APIs for developers
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Apple Maps live traffic updates, public transit info, and satellite view all require an active internet connection, offline mode (iOS 17+) is limited to pre-downloaded areas for driving, walking, cycling, and transit directions; Bing Maps bing Maps API keys are split into Basic (free-use, capped) and Enterprise (billable) tiers, and Spatial Data Services requests exceeding 1,000,000 per year are billable even when a session ID is used, per Microsoft's own developer documentation.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Apple Maps and Bing Maps actually diverge.
| Attribute | Apple Maps | Bing Maps |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | iOS, macOS, Web | Web |
| Founded | 2012 | Unknown |
Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (freemium), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Maps & Navigation).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Apple Maps
Nothing recorded that Bing Maps does not also cover.
Only in Bing Maps
Nothing recorded that Apple Maps does not also cover.
Both cover
- Core Functionality
- User Interface
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Apple Maps
- Turn-by-turn driving, walking, and cycling navigationnot Bing Maps
- Public transit directions with real-time schedules (subways, buses, trains, ferries)not Bing Maps
- Offline turn-by-turn directions for pre-downloaded areas (iOS 17+)not Bing Maps
- Augmented-reality immersive walking directions in supported citiesnot Bing Maps
- Saving custom hiking/walking routes, including U.S. national park hikes, for offline accessnot Bing Maps
Bing Maps
No use cases recorded yet. See the Bing Maps review.
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Apple Maps
- Live traffic updates, public transit info, and satellite view all require an active internet connection, offline mode (iOS 17+) is limited to pre-downloaded areas for driving, walking, cycling, and transit directions
- Apple Maps for the web is only in public beta, not a full-featured release
- Feature depth (e.g. immersive walking AR directions, detailed transit) is strongest on newer iPhones/iOS versions, leaving older devices with a reduced experience
Bing Maps
- Bing Maps API keys are split into Basic (free-use, capped) and Enterprise (billable) tiers, and Spatial Data Services requests exceeding 1,000,000 per year are billable even when a session ID is used, per Microsoft's own developer documentation.
Pricing, plan by plan
Apple Maps
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Apple Maps review.
Bing Maps
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Bing Maps review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Bing Maps if
Nothing in the data separates Bing Maps from Apple Maps on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.
Questions people ask
- Is Apple Maps or Bing Maps better?
- Neither clearly leads. Apple Maps starts at On request and Bing Maps at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Apple Maps or Bing Maps?
- Apple Maps starts at On request and Bing Maps at On request.
- Does Apple Maps or Bing Maps run on more platforms?
- Apple Maps runs on iOS, macOS, Web. Bing Maps runs on Web.
- What is Apple Maps best used for?
- Apple Maps is most often used for turn-by-turn driving, walking, and cycling navigation, public transit directions with real-time schedules (subways, buses, trains, ferries), offline turn-by-turn directions for pre-downloaded areas (ios 17+), augmented-reality immersive walking directions in supported cities. Of those, turn-by-turn driving, walking, and cycling navigation and public transit directions with real-time schedules (subways, buses, trains, ferries) are not what Bing Maps is typically brought in for.