Complete Waze Review of Features, Pros & Cons
In the beginning, Waze was designed to fulfil some objectives such as live traffic, road conditions, and driving directions updates. Afterward, this navigation app started adding other features over time and earned a lot of popularity within a short while. Nowadays, millions of worldwide users are attached to it. There is still confusion among people ‘’Is Waze Worth It’’?
Waze is a navigation app that shows you the shortest possible route in terms of heavy traffic. However, it is annoying when you insert your starting point and destination. Because you view a list of different locations regarding the same office or business where you want to go.
It confuses users about which location they need to select for navigation. If you are looking for a way to get rid of it, this blog post is very useful for you. Here, we will transparently present the Waze review.
Furthermore, we have created a separate blog post already if you want to use Waze Maps.
Waze Review while Downloading the App
I am an Android user, therefore, going to share my personal experience with you regarding Waze.
- This navigation app uses a small amount of data (79 MB) to download.
- It does not require enough storage for an Android.
- Most importantly, the downloading would be smooth on your Android device.
Waze app Signing Up Process Review
Here is the Waze Review about signing up on the app is not a difficult process at all.
- You can easily sign up with only one email account.
- There are three sign-up options with Facebook, Google, or email ID.
Interface Review of Waze App
- You will view multiple colorful and special logos on the Waze map, representing police checkpoints, the Waze community, nearby parking areas, etc.
- You will witness turn-by-turn navigation with a specific background voice.
Worldwide Acceptance of Waze
Company | Waze |
Downloaders | 100+ Million |
Data Usage | 80 MB |
Prominent Countries | USA, UK, France, Brazil, Columbia, Mexico, and Western Europe |
Followers | 140+ Million |
Rated for | 3+ |
Total Reviews | 8 Million |
Star Reviews | 4.5 |
Last Updated | December 10, 2023 |
Waze Accuracy – Navigational Experience
The Waze app completely relies on the number of active users. Because they report live traffic, road conditions, and driving directions. This is entirely man-made data on Waze. Therefore, Waze is a relatively less accurate application than Google Maps.
On the other hand, Google Maps uses statistical or historical data for prediction. It has been successful in most events. That is why, Google Maps is a globally used navigational app nowadays.
Also Read: What does Waze Means?
What are some Pros of Waze?
If you manage to understand the advantages of Waze then you easily answer to ‘’Is Waze Worth It’’? However, some of the advantages as per our Waze Review, are the following:
Free to Use – Waze is available on both Android and iOS devices. You can use this navigation app for free.
Traffic Updates – This navigation app offers real-time traffic updates including road closures, road jams, police sightings, and speed traps.
Reliable in Congested Areas – This navigation app works efficiently in urban areas where roads are congested and overcrowded.
Community-Driven Approach – The Waze community reports police checkpoints on roads ahead of you. This feature makes Waze more impressive for navigation than other apps.
Regulate Speed – Waze offers real-time traffic updates such as speed traps so that drivers can regulate speed to prevent accidents or hazards.
Prices of Products – When you use Waze, you can easily view the prices of different fuels. It will show you the prices of nearby clothing brands, gas stations, or food restaurants.
What are some Cons of Waze?
There are some disadvantages to using Waze on your smartphone when we do a Waze review. These include:
Non-Reliable in Rural Areas – You cannot use Waze in rural areas. Because active users are present in low numbers due to non-reliable road infrastructure.
Rules Fluctuations – If you are planning long trips, check the local laws whether Waze is legal or not.
Report Police Sighting – Waze faced a lot of criticism for its reporting on police sightings. Government officers do not like it, claiming this navigation software prevents criminals as well.
Hard to Contact Waze – If you face any technical issues while using Waze, it is hard to send emails to the Waze community team.
How Waze Police Feature make it a Unique App?
Featuring police sightings on the road makes Waze more controversial and rare than other navigational apps. However, this app faced criticism from the local community and government officers. They argued that Waze wanted to save criminals. As a response, the Waze community entirely denied this allegation and disclosed its transparent objective.
When you drive a car and use the Waze map, you will view a colorful logo that indicates a police checkpoint is coming ahead on your route. On top of that, you can also close notifications regarding police alerts. In this case, no police logo will be shown on the Waze map while driving a car. Follow these steps if you want to close the police logo:
- Open the Waze app on your mobile.
- Tap the ‘’three horizontal lines’’ and go to the settings.
- Tap the ‘’Map Display’’ and then press enter the ‘’Reports’’.
- Tap the ‘’Police’’ option and swipe to the left.
By doing this, you can open or close alerts regarding police presence on your route.
Is Waze Good for Long trips?
Waze can be used anywhere in the world if there are roads. However, if you are thinking of moving abroad for long trips then check the local laws first. You can also use Waze maps offline if you start your journey and then close your mobile data.
Eventually, ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) can be greatly affected by some factors when you plan a longer trip. On the contrary, Google Maps is relatively a more accurate navigational application in terms of long trips.
What are Waze Reviews on Reddit Platform in 2024?
Waze has been earning a lot of popularity since its formation. This navigation app is mostly being used in first-world countries like the United States, Brazil, France, UK, Mexico, etc. Both Google and Waze Maps focus and operate in different manners.
As far as Waze’s efficiency is concerned, people present different viewpoints and comments on it.
Some Limitations – Why Waze is Bad?
Several factors make the Waze app somehow bad. These include:
Limited Offline Options – You cannot use Waze for navigation if your device is out of mobile data. You are only able to view the Waze app. However, if you plan a long trip and start your journey then you can use the Waze map to some extent. But you cannot view live maps traffic updates or reports by other Wazers. Additionally, you cannot feature music integration as well.
Non-Availability of Terrain, Satellite, and 3D Map – The Waze app does not feature a 3D map which is considered to be a major drawback of this navigational software. Hopefully, Google is aiming to merge the Waze community into its organization. If it happens, there is a high possibility that Waze will introduce terrain, satellite, and 3D maps.
Battery Usage – Waze consistently reports traffic updates on roads that lead to battery drain, especially on long trips.
Security & Privacy Concerns – The Waze app depends on the data presented by a large number of active users. Therefore, there are always security and privacy concerns while using this navigational app.
Waze VS Google Maps – Review
Both Waze and Google Maps are free to download. However, both are GPS-Supportive navigation apps. Waze is mostly being used in the United States, Latin America, and Western Europe. Whereas, people still prefer to use Google Maps rather than any other navigation app due to its extensive features.
The Waze app is currently operating under the influence of Google Maps. If you want to know which one is a better choice between Waze vs Google Maps, we have written a separate blog post already in this regard.
Read Full Waze Review Here: Waze vs Google Maps – Which One is Better? Complete Guide 2024
What is Waze Review in Australia?
Waze is also being used in Australia due to its extensive features. These include traffic updates, road jams, and police sightings. Australia is the biggest country by area, therefore, Waze will show you the shortest possible way to get to your destination.
On the contrary, Waze has been banned in several states of Australia. You cannot use Waze in New South Wales while driving your car.
Is Waze Advertising Worth It?
Waze offers ads to popular business brands. However, there are three ad formats through which you can promote your businesses. As per the the thorough Waze Review, These include outreach tools, navigational search, and pins.
Pins – If you have advertised your brand, a user will see the logo of your brand when he passes through it.
Ads Search – If you have advertised your brand on Waze, it will come to the top based on the alphabet when a user searches for relevant things.
Arrow & Takeovers – When you use the Waze, you will view the brand logo with an arrow. If you tap the arrow then it will take you to the nearby affiliated brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use Waze in India?
Of course, you can use Waze in India and even anywhere in the world where there are roads.
Who is the Owner of Waze?
Waze was founded by Uri Levine and Amir Shinar in Israel, in 2008. However, Google officially owned the Waze app for $1.15 billion in 2013.
Does the Waze App Use Mobile Data?
When you use the Waze app on your mobile, it will continuously use your mobile data.
Is Waze Useful?
Waze is a useful navigation app in crowded areas such as urban regions.
What are the Limitations of Waze?
Waze has some disadvantages including non-reliability in rural areas and foreign countries.
Is Waze the Better App?
Waze offers real-time traffic updates, including road closures, traffic jams, police sightings, and speed traps.