HERE WeGo
Depends
Confidence: Medium
Worth trying if you want a free, offline-capable Google Maps alternative and live in a well-covered region.
Comparison
HERE WeGo vs Waze
HERE WeGo lands on Depends, and Waze lands on Worth it.
Waze
Worth it
Confidence: High
Buy if you drive daily and want the fastest route plus live hazard and speed-camera alerts; it costs nothing.
| Compare | HERE WeGo | Waze |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict | Depends | Worth it |
| Best for | Privacy-minded drivers leaving Google | Daily commuters in heavy traffic |
| Who it's not for | Drivers who need Google- or Waze-level live traffic | Privacy-conscious drivers . location data is the product |
| Privacy | No known public vulnerabilities found in the sources reviewed.⁸ | Generally safe for daily use, but past tracking vulnerabilities and by-design location collection raise privacy flags. |
| Support quality | No evidence in reviewed sources | Forum-based support; complaints reportedly go unanswered |
| Public sentiment | Users love the free, privacy-friendly Google Maps exit but complain about regional coverage gaps and performance. | Routing accuracy wins loyal users, but many complain about cluttered UX and recent app degradation. |
| Biggest gotcha | Coverage and performance vary sharply by region; trial your commute before switching⁴ | Security researchers found API flaws allowing user tracking and data gathering |
Pick HERE WeGo when
- Privacy-minded drivers leaving Google
- Travelers needing offline maps
- Huawei phone owners without Google services
- Everyday city and transit navigation
When HERE WeGo is not a fit
- Drivers who need Google- or Waze-level live traffic
- Anyone in a region with weak HERE coverage . test first
- Fleet and truck operators . that requires separate HERE WeGo Pro
- Android Auto users wanting a mature, polished integration
Pick Waze when
- Daily commuters in heavy traffic
- Drivers wanting police and speed-camera alerts
- Cost-conscious drivers comparing tolls
- Anyone replacing paid GPS
When Waze is not a fit
- Privacy-conscious drivers . location data is the product
- Guess: offline navigation in low-coverage or rural areas
- Users who hate ads and cluttered UI
- Anyone needing calm, minimal driving directions
Sources
- HERE WeGo: Maps & Navigation - Google Playplay.google.comreview
official
- Here WeGo - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.orgnews
review
- Hands-on with Here WeGo's Android Auto beta - Android Policeandroidpolice.comreview
- HERE WeGo Pro truck navigation announcement - ERGI Networkerticonetwork.comnews
- HERE WeGo security & privacy report - Can I Trust Thatcanitrustthat.comsecurity
review
- Why is WAZE so bad now? . Redditreddit.comreview
review
- Is the Waze App Free? . Holiday Extrasholidayextras.comofficial
- Waze Navigation App . Investopediainvestopedia.comnews
security