Maps & Navigation · head to head
MapQuest vs Apple Maps
MapQuest
Maps & Navigation
Free driving directions, live traffic updates, and road conditions for trip planning and navigation
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
Apple Maps
Maps & Navigation
Web mapping and navigation application developed by Apple Inc
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: MapQuest subscription tiers cost more per transaction than the pay as you go rate at low volume, since $119 a month for 30,000 transactions is roughly $0.004 each against $0.0045 on demand; 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
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which MapQuest and Apple Maps actually diverge.
| Attribute | MapQuest | Apple Maps |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Web | iOS, macOS, Web |
| Founded | Unknown | 2012 |
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 MapQuest
Nothing recorded that Apple Maps does not also cover.
Only in Apple Maps
Nothing recorded that MapQuest 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.
MapQuest
- Geocoding, routing and static maps over an APInot Apple Maps
- Adding directions and place search to an applicationnot Apple Maps
Apple Maps
- Turn-by-turn driving, walking, and cycling navigationnot MapQuest
- Public transit directions with real-time schedules (subways, buses, trains, ferries)not MapQuest
- Offline turn-by-turn directions for pre-downloaded areas (iOS 17+)not MapQuest
- Augmented-reality immersive walking directions in supported citiesnot MapQuest
- Saving custom hiking/walking routes, including U.S. national park hikes, for offline accessnot MapQuest
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
MapQuest
- Subscription tiers cost more per transaction than the pay as you go rate at low volume, since $119 a month for 30,000 transactions is roughly $0.004 each against $0.0045 on demand
- The 50,000 free pay as you go transactions are described as available for a limited time rather than as a standing allowance
- Plan allowances are monthly and do not carry over
- Enterprise volume is custom priced
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
Pricing, plan by plan
MapQuest
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the MapQuest review.
Apple Maps
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Apple Maps review.
Which should you pick?
Choose MapQuest if
Nothing in the data separates MapQuest from Apple Maps on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.
Questions people ask
- Is MapQuest or Apple Maps better?
- Neither clearly leads. MapQuest starts at On request and Apple Maps at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, MapQuest or Apple Maps?
- MapQuest starts at On request and Apple Maps at On request.
- Does MapQuest or Apple Maps run on more platforms?
- MapQuest runs on Web. Apple Maps runs on iOS, macOS, Web.
- What is MapQuest best used for?
- MapQuest is most often used for geocoding, routing and static maps over an api, adding directions and place search to an application. Of those, geocoding, routing and static maps over an api and adding directions and place search to an application are not what Apple Maps is typically brought in for.