Waze built its reputation on live information from drivers. Users report traffic jams, accidents, speed traps, road hazards, and closed roads as they happen, and others see the alerts immediately. The app uses that crowd-sourced data, together with anonymous speed information from devices, to route around slowdowns and update arrival times, often finding shortcuts that other apps miss.
The app is free and has features suited to everyday driving. It shows fuel prices, offers voice navigation with customizable voices, lets you plan drives to leave at a set time, and supports carpool matching in some areas. It integrates with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and connects to music and calendar apps. Local communities of volunteer editors help keep maps accurate.
Waze is free, supported by location-based ads, and owned by Google, although it operates separately from Google Maps. Because it collects location data, users should review privacy settings. Route suggestions can send drivers down residential streets, which has caused friction for neighborhoods. Google Maps has absorbed many Waze-like features, Apple Maps is the default on iPhones, and HERE WeGo and TomTom provide other navigation. Waze suits commuters who want real-time alerts.