Source-backed analysis8
Review basis
Research-based review: the AppDuo Editorial Team compiled it from official pages, documentation, app stores, press and user feedback, without hands-on testing. Every claim links to a source with the date it was checked.
8 reference sourcesInformation updated Nov 10, 2026
How we review
Waze Review
Google-owned community navigation app focused on live traffic, hazards and camera alerts
By AppDuo Editorial Team · Updated
- iOS
- Android
On this page
Decide at a glance
Our verdict
Waze suits car and motorcycle drivers who want a free map updated by community reports of jams, crashes, police and cameras. The trade-offs: it is for drivers only, contains ads, and collects extensive location data, even when closed if settings allow.
Best for: Commuters and long-distance drivers who want real-time rerouting around traffic
Skip it if: Pedestrians and public-transport riders, since Waze is built for motor vehicles
Pros
- Free, with broad features: crash, police and camera alerts, potholes, lane guidance, toll pricing
- High scores: 4.8/5 on the US App Store, 4.6/5 on the Vietnam App Store, 4.4/5 on Google Play
- Works with CarPlay, Android Auto, Spotify and other audio apps
Cons
- Collects location extensively, possibly when the app is closed; Invisible Mode only hides you from other users
- Contains ads according to the App Store and Google Play
All pros and cons · Who is it for?
Pros
- Over 500,000 volunteer map editors
Cons
- Cars and motorcycles only; no walking or public-transport directions
Best for
- People happy to report incidents and edit the map with a community
Skip it if
- Users who are very sensitive to location data collection and in-app ads
Problems it solves
Experience & key features
What is Waze?
Waze is a free navigation app fed by a community of drivers, available on iOS, Android, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. According to Wikipedia the project began as FreeMap Israel in 2006, the company was formed in 2008, and Google acquired it for US$1.3 billion in June 2013. The official site says Waze has over 200 million drivers and over 500,000 volunteer map editors, and that Google owns it.
Key features
Per the App Store description, Waze reroutes around traffic, crashes and closures and warns of accidents, construction, potholes, speed bumps, police, and speed and red-light cameras. It also offers lane guidance, toll prices with a toll-avoidance option, fuel prices, EV charging, parking, ETAs by future departure time, and audio apps inside Waze. Some features are available only in certain countries.
Community and language support in Vietnam
Waze has a dedicated Vietnam page on Wazeopedia, editor communities on Discord, Facebook, Zalo and Telegram, and an official Vietnamese voice, Mẫn Nhi, per the Waze forum. The App Store language list does not include Vietnamese, and the community page still invites people to a localisation project, so how complete the Vietnamese interface is remains unclear. The Vietnam App Store shows 4.6/5 from 1,437 ratings, far fewer than the large map apps.
More analysis
Privacy and comparison
Waze keeps route history and may collect location even when the app is not in use depending on settings; Invisible Mode hides you from others but does not stop collection. De-identified data is shared with other Google mapping products. For walking, buses or places with reviews, Google Maps or Apple Maps fit better; Waze is strongest when driving and wanting instant community updates. In October 2026, per Wikipedia, Iraq announced a ban on Waze (effective 2027) and Malaysia blocked civil servants from using it.
Screenshots
Plans & pricing
Prices last verified Nov 10, 2026
Waze
PersonalFree
Free. Waze's About page calls it a free navigation app and the App Store lists it as free. Both the App Store and Google Play flag the app as containing ads.
- Free plan limits
- Some features are not available in every country, per the App Store description (for example parking prices, fuel prices and EV charging data). Waze is designed for cars and motorcycles, not walking or public transport.
- Free trial
- No free trial
Cancellation & refunds
Not applicable: Waze is free and has no paid tier.
Privacy
The privacy policy (last modified 8 July 2026) names Waze Mobile Ltd., based in Israel, as controller and states Waze is Google-owned. Waze collects account details, home and work addresses, search queries, and timestamped GPS and sensor data saved as route history; depending on settings it may collect location even when the app is not in use. De-identified data is shared with other Google mapping products; Waze uses Google's advertising technology to select and measure ads and says it does not sell or rent personal information. Invisible Mode only hides your location from other users; Waze still collects location and route data. Accounts can be deleted in the app or on the website, which generally takes about 2 months. The App Store label lists many data types linked to you, including location, contact info and search history.
Waze alternatives
Frequently asked questions
Is Waze free?
Yes. The About page calls it a free navigation app and the App Store lists it as free. Google Play says the app contains ads.
Who owns Waze?
Google. The About page and privacy policy both state Waze is Google-owned; the data controller is Waze Mobile Ltd. in Israel.
Does Invisible Mode stop location collection?
No. Per the policy it only hides your location from other users on the map; Waze still collects location and route data and some features may be unavailable.
Can Waze be used for walking or buses?
No. The About page says Waze is designed exclusively for private motor vehicles and motorcycles, and the App Store description focuses on driving.
Review evidence & sources8
Scores
- Ease of use
- 7.8
- Features
- 8.0
- Value for money
- 8.5
- Performance
- 7.5
- Support
- 6.5
- Privacy & security
- 5.5
Why this score
Incident reporting is built for use while driving and App Store scores are high (4.8/5 in the US). Not higher because Google Play is lower (4.4/5), and a prominent review there says starting a new drive takes several taps and the app does not resume a drive after the phone disconnects.
Why this score
The App Store description lists crash, police, speed-camera and red-light alerts, lane guidance, toll prices, fuel and parking prices and audio integrations. No walking or transit makes the scope narrower than all-purpose maps.
Why this score
Free with no paid tier. Reduced because the app contains ads.
Why this score
Quality depends on the community: Waze says it has over 200 million drivers and 500,000+ volunteer map editors. Coverage may be thinner in smaller markets (Vietnam, for example, has only 1,437 ratings on its App Store) and no independent accuracy test was found, so no higher score.
Why this score
There is a Google help center, forum and a community wiki (Wazeopedia; its Vietnam page, for example, links Discord, Facebook, Zalo and Telegram groups). Waze replies to Google Play reviews with a link to open a support ticket, but no direct chat or phone support was described in the pages opened.
Why this score
The policy is clear about the controller and account deletion timing, but location may be collected even when the app is closed depending on settings, de-identified data is shared with Google, Invisible Mode still collects location, and the App Store label lists many data types linked to you.
What users say
- App Store (United States)4.8/5 · 3,203,346
- App Store (Vietnam)4.6/5 · 1,437
- Google Play4.4/5 · 8,930,000
Sources
- Vendor-providedWaze About pageNov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedWaze Privacy PolicyNov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedWazeopedia Vietnam (community home)Nov 10, 2026
- Community-reportedWaze forum: Vietnamese voice (TTS)Nov 10, 2026
- storeApp Store listing (US)Nov 10, 2026
- storeApp Store listing (Vietnam)Nov 10, 2026
- storeGoogle Play listingNov 10, 2026
- Community-reportedWikipedia: WazeNov 10, 2026
Specs & compatibility
- Developer
- Waze Mobile Ltd. (Google)
- Headquarters
- Israel
- Launched
- 2009
- Category
- Travel
Capabilities
- Mobile app
- Integrations
Platforms
- iOS
- Android
Interface languages
- English
- Japanese
- Chinese
- Spanish
- French
- Korean
- German
- Portuguese
- Russian
- Indonesian
Integrations
- Apple CarPlay
- Android Auto
- Spotify
- Google Assistant
- Siri Shortcuts
- Waze for Cities
Support
- Help center
- Community forum
Change history
- Update.Iraq announced a Waze ban effective 2027 and Malaysia blocked civil servants from using it (per Wikipedia).
- Update.Waze revised its privacy policy (the latest revision as of November 2026).
- Feature.Google announced the retirement of Waze Carpool, citing reduced commuting during COVID-19.
Full change history (7)
- Feature.Lane guidance was added.
- Feature.Waze added Android Auto support; Apple CarPlay support followed in September 2018.
- Company.Google acquired Waze for US$1.3 billion; Waze had about 50 million users at the time.
- Launch.Ehud Shabtai founded FreeMap Israel, a community mapping project; Waze was formed in 2008 to commercialise it.
About the author
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