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Apple Maps vs HERE Maps

Apple Maps offers superior integration with iOS/macOS ecosystems and real-time traffic data, while HERE Maps provides more comprehensive global coverage, better offline capabilities, and stronger enterprise features. Apple Maps is ideal for iPhone users, whereas HERE Maps serves developers and users needing detailed international navigation.

Apple Maps

Apple Maps

Apple's native mapping service with deep iOS/macOS integration and real-time traffic data.

iPhone/iPad users who prioritize ecosystem integration and real-time traffic accuracy within Apple's ecosystem

Score56%
VS
HERE Maps

HERE Maps

Enterprise-grade mapping platform with extensive APIs, global coverage, and multi-platform support.

Developers, enterprises, international travelers, and users needing cross-platform navigation with offline capabilities

Score56%

Quick Answer

AI Summary

Apple Maps offers superior integration with iOS/macOS ecosystems and real-time traffic data, while HERE Maps provides more comprehensive global coverage, better offline capabilities, and stronger enterprise features. Apple Maps is ideal for iPhone users, whereas HERE Maps serves developers and users needing detailed international navigation.

Our Verdict

AI-assisted

Choose Apple Maps if you're an iPhone/macOS user who values seamless ecosystem integration, superior real-time traffic data, and Siri integration. Choose HERE Maps if you need comprehensive global coverage, strong offline capabilities, developer APIs, or cross-platform support for enterprise applications.

Community feedback

Was this verdict helpful?

Apple Maps
6.5/10
vs
HERE Maps
8.5/10
Apple Maps

Choose Apple Maps if

iPhone/iPad users who prioritize ecosystem integration and real-time traffic accuracy within Apple's ecosystem

HERE Maps

Choose HERE Maps if

Best pick

Developers, enterprises, international travelers, and users needing cross-platform navigation with offline capabilities

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Key Differences at a Glance

  • iOS/macOS Integration:Apple Maps wins(Native deep integration vs Limited app-based access)
  • Global Coverage Quality:HERE Maps wins(195+ countries with high detail vs 88% of world mapped (2025))
  • Offline Map Size (US):HERE Maps wins(~1.8 GB per region vs ~2.5 GB per state)
See all 7 differences

Key Facts & Figures

33 numeric metrics compared

MetricApple MapsHERE MapsRatio
Weekly Active Users (US %)(percent)~35%
Business Listings(millions)~80M
Privacy Rating(scale 1-10)9/10
Monthly New Listings(millions)~0.3M
Data Usage (MB/hour)(megabytes)~15-20MB
Active User Base(millions)150+ million monthly active users
Supported Countries for Maps(countries)160+ countries
Points of Interest (POIs) Indexed(millions)2.2 million verified businesses
Alternative Routes Provided(average count)1-2 main routes
Global Coverage(countries)195 countries200+ countries
-3%
Offline Map Coverage(countries)80 regions (limited)200+ countries full routing
-60%
Voice Navigation Languages(languages)45 languages95+ languages
-53%
Real-Time Traffic Cities Covered(cities)Partnerships with Apple devices (estimate 300-400 major cities)800+ cities with historical + real-time
-56%
Mobile App Size (iOS)(MB)Built-in (system app)~80 MB
-100%
Real-Time Traffic Accuracy(%)92%89%
+3%
Global Country Coverage(countries)165+ countries195+ countries
-15%
Offline Map Size (Single Region)(GB)2.5 GB1.8 GB
+39%
Developer API Rate Limit (Free Tier)(requests/month)Unlimited (Apple ecosystem only)125,000 free requests/month
Monthly Enterprise Cost (1,000 API Calls)(USD)$9.99/month subscription$500 (at $0.50/call)
-98%
Real-Time Probe Vehicle Data(million vehicles/month)350+ million500+ million
-30%
Active Monthly Users(millions)~50 million~50 million
Map Coverage(countries)200+ countries200+ countries
Real-Time Traffic Update Frequency(seconds)Every 5-10 minutes from aggregated sourcesEvery 5-10 minutes from aggregated sources
Battery Consumption Per Hour(%)10-12%10-12%
Premium Subscription Cost(USD/year)$39.99 per year$39.99 per year
Voice Guide Languages Supported(languages)70+ languages70+ languages
App Size(MB)~85 MB (iOS)~85 MB (iOS)
Real-Time Traffic Cities Coverage(cities)3,200+ cities3,200+ cities
POI (Points of Interest) Database(millions)80+ million locations80+ million locations
Offline Map Download Size (Continental Region)(GB)1.8 GB1.8 GB
Enterprise Routing API Cost(USD per 1M requests)$5.50$5.50
OEM Auto Partnership Count(manufacturers)40+ partnerships40+ partnerships
HD Map Accuracy (Autonomous Vehicles)(cm)25 cm25 cm

Sourced from publicly available data · Jul 2026

Key Differences

7 attributes compared head-to-head

Apple Maps
2Apple Maps
HERE Maps leads
HERE Maps
5HERE Maps
29%71%
  • iOS/macOS Integration

    Apple Maps

    Native deep integration

    HERE Maps

    Limited app-based access

  • Global Coverage Quality

    Apple Maps

    88% of world mapped (2025)

    HERE Maps

    195+ countries with high detail

  • Offline Map Size (US)

    Apple Maps

    ~2.5 GB per state

    HERE Maps

    ~1.8 GB per region

  • Real-Time Traffic Accuracy

    Apple Maps

    92% accuracy (Apple data)

    HERE Maps

    89% accuracy (TomTom comparison)

  • Developer API Availability

    Apple Maps

    Limited third-party API

    HERE Maps

    Extensive REST/SDK APIs

  • Enterprise Pricing (Annual)

    Apple Maps

    $4.99-9.99/month per user

    HERE Maps

    $0.50-2.00 per API call

  • Platform Support

    Apple Maps

    iOS, macOS, CarPlay only

    HERE Maps

    Web, Android, iOS, Enterprise

Full Comparison

Apple Maps
HERE Maps
Weekly Active Users (US %)(percent)
~35%
Business Listings(millions)
~80M
Points of Interest (POIs) Indexed(millions)
2.2 million verified businesses
Platform Support
iOS, macOS, watchOS, limited Android
AI Features (2026)
Suggested Places, Siri integration
Privacy Rating(scale 1-10)
9/10
User Data Sharing with Third Parties
Minimal; primarily on-device processing
Monthly New Listings(millions)
~0.3M
Ecosystem Integration
10/10
Data Usage (MB/hour)(megabytes)
~15-20MB
Mobile App Size (iOS)(MB)
Built-in (system app)
~80 MB
Battery Consumption Per Hour(%)
10-12%
Active User Base(millions)
150+ million monthly active users
Supported Countries for Maps(countries)
160+ countries
Global Coverage(countries)
195 countries
200+ countries
Offline Map Coverage(countries)
80 regions (limited)
200+ countries full routing
Offline Map Download Support
Full offline navigation with downloadable maps
Look Around/Street View Coverage(regions)
Look Around in 50+ major cities globally
Street View coverage in 90+ countries
Platform Support(platforms)
iOS, macOS, web; limited Android
Alternative Routes Provided(average count)
1-2 main routes
Real-Time Traffic Cities Coverage(cities)
3,200+ cities
Voice Navigation Languages(languages)
45 languages
95+ languages
Voice Guide Languages Supported(languages)
70+ languages
Real-Time Traffic Cities Covered(cities)
Partnerships with Apple devices (estimate 300-400 major cities)
800+ cities with historical + real-time
Real-Time Traffic Update Frequency(seconds)
Every 5-10 minutes from aggregated sources
Developer API Availability(API types)
MapKit JS limited; native SDK only
REST APIs + SDKs for 15+ platforms
Real-Time Traffic Accuracy(%)
92%
89%
Global Country Coverage(countries)
165+ countries
195+ countries
Offline Map Size (Single Region)(GB)
2.5 GB
1.8 GB
Supported Platforms
iOS, macOS, CarPlay, watchOS
Web, iOS, Android, Windows, Enterprise
Developer API Rate Limit (Free Tier)(requests/month)
Unlimited (Apple ecosystem only)
125,000 free requests/month
Monthly Enterprise Cost (1,000 API Calls)(USD)
$9.99/month subscription
$500 (at $0.50/call)
Premium Subscription Cost(USD/year)
$39.99 per year
Enterprise Routing API Cost(USD per 1M requests)
$5.50
Real-Time Probe Vehicle Data(million vehicles/month)
350+ million
500+ million
Active Monthly Users(millions)
~50 million
Map Coverage(countries)
200+ countries
Offline Navigation
Full offline routing with downloaded maps
App Size(MB)
~85 MB (iOS)
Monthly Active Users(millions)
200 million
POI (Points of Interest) Database(millions)
80+ million locations
Offline Map Download Size (Continental Region)(GB)
1.8 GB
OEM Auto Partnership Count(manufacturers)
40+ partnerships
HD Map Accuracy (Autonomous Vehicles)(cm)
25 cm

Pros & Cons

10 pros·8 cons across both

Apple Maps
HERE Maps
Apple Maps

Apple Maps

+5-4
56% positive

Pros

  • 92% real-time traffic accuracy with live incident detection
  • Native Siri voice navigation integration on all Apple devices
  • CarPlay optimization with speed camera warnings
  • Free service with no API rate limits for Apple ecosystem
  • Privacy-focused routing without ad tracking

Cons

  • Limited to iOS, macOS, and CarPlay platforms
  • Significantly weaker coverage in developing nations
  • No web version or Android support
  • Smaller offline map download availability compared to competitors
HERE Maps

HERE Maps

+5-4
56% positive

Pros

  • Coverage in 195+ countries with detailed address-level data
  • Comprehensive REST and SDK APIs for developers (routing, geocoding, traffic)
  • Offline map downloads with 1.8-2.5 GB per region
  • Cross-platform availability: Web, iOS, Android, Windows
  • Real-time traffic powered by 500M+ probe vehicles monthly

Cons

  • Requires paid subscription for premium features ($4.99-9.99/month)
  • No Siri integration outside third-party apps
  • Less accurate traffic prediction in urban US markets vs Apple Maps
  • Steeper learning curve for API implementation

Frequently Asked Questions

5 questions

  1. Apple Maps is free with any Apple device purchase and requires no subscription. HERE Maps is free with limited API requests (125,000/month) for developers; consumer app is free but premium features cost $4.99-9.99/month. Enterprise HERE API pricing starts at $0.50 per request.

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