Google Maps is the go to app for most smartphone owners, especially on Android. One of the original mapping services, MapQuest, is still hanging in there though. Their new app may even prove to be most useful for travelers this holiday season.
MapQuest announced that its new Gas Prices app is now available on both Google Play and the App Store. The best part is that the app is completely free so users can check up on local gas prices without having to pay a dime. Here’s what users can expect to get out of the app:
As expected, MapQuest ties the new app into their own dedicated maps service. It’s strange that they created an entirely new app just for the gas prices when they could have just integrated the feature into their maps app.
So does MapQuest have a chance of competing with already existing gas price apps? Gas Buddy is obviously the most popular app, but it relies on user reports. Without those reports, the gas prices may not be updated as frequently. MapQuest is promising frequent updates without the input from others. Beyond that, there’s not much difference between the two.
It’s really up to whatever maps app you currently use. Gas Buddy uses Google Maps whereas MapQuest Gas Prices obviously uses MapQuest. It does seem strange that Google hasn’t made their own Gas Prices apps or integrated it into the current release of Google Maps. Maybe a Google Now update can add the feature.