TL; DR: Turn basic navigation into advanced route planning with Upper for Google Maps Chrome browser extension.

If you’re exploring the world of logistics and delivery efficiency, you understand the critical role that route planning and optimization plays in transforming business operations. Whether it’s speeding up deliveries, ensuring reliability, or managing delivery data more effectively, the right tool makes all the difference.

In this blog, we put Upper and Google Maps head-to-head, examining their capabilities in real-world scenarios to determine which solution not only promises but actually delivers enhanced logistical efficiency.

From the precision of route planning to the integration of real-time data and customer communications, we’ll uncover which tool can truly elevate your operations and drive your business forward.

Forget Spaghetti Routes, Optimize Routes for Your Entire Team with Upper

Table of Contents

How Did We Compare Upper vs. Google Maps?
Upper Route Planner vs. Google Maps Route Planner: The Ultimate Showdown
Why Choose Upper Over Google Maps?
Some Proven Results By Upper
Make Sure You Make The Right Choice
FAQs

How Did We Compare Upper vs. Google Maps?

Our engineering and sales teams conducted an extensive analysis to ensure a thorough and practical evaluation of Upper and Google Maps. Here’s how we conducted the comparison:

We configured Upper on various devices, including iOS, Android, and web interfaces, and installed Google Maps to test their compatibility and ease of use.
We tested both platforms on devices that delivery drivers and dispatch managers commonly use to evaluate real-world usability.
We assessed how intuitive and efficient the interfaces were for dispatchers planning and assigning routes. We also checked how efficient both software are in handling real-world scenarios for drivers (weather conditions, traffic patterns, route history, etc.).

Upper Route Planner vs. Google Maps Route Planner: The Ultimate Showdown

Choosing the right route planning software can drastically impact the efficiency of your delivery operations. Here, we compare Upper Route Planner and Google Maps based on various criteria to help you determine which fits your business needs better.

Feature Base
User ratings (Capterra)	4.7/5 (1629)	4.6/5 (40)
User rating (G2)	4.6/5 (26)	4.8/5 (8)
Pricing model	Per usage	Per user
Free trial	No	Yes, for 7 days
Maximum stops per route	10 stops per route	250 stops per route
Discount offer	Yes, 20%	Yes, flat 20% off on annual billing
The pricing plan starts at	$200/month	$40/month
Route optimization
Service time
Time windows
Vehicle capacity optimization
Proof of delivery
Re-assignment of routes
Contact/Address book
Multimodal routing
Bulk SMS
Delivery service zones
Edit routes in-transit
Multiple map view
Set stops priority
In-app navigation
Real-time traffic updates
Offline Maps

Feature Base Google Maps Upper
User ratings (Capterra)

4.7/5 (1629)

4.6/5 (40)
User rating (G2)

4.6/5 (26)

4.8/5 (8)
Pricing model

Per usage

Per user
Free trial

No

Yes, for 7 days
Maximum stops per route

10 stops per route

250 stops per route
Discount offer

Yes, 20%

Yes, flat 20% off on annual billing
The pricing plan starts at

$200/month

$40/month
Route optimization
Service time
Time windows
Vehicle capacity optimization
Proof of delivery
Re-assignment of routes
Contact/Address book
Multimodal routing
Bulk SMS
Delivery service zones
Edit routes in-transit
Multiple map view
Set stops priority
In-app navigation
Real-time traffic updates
Offline Maps
Try Upper for FREE No credit card required

When comparing Upper and Google Maps for route planning, it’s essential to consider what each platform excels in and where they may fall short depending on your business needs. Google Maps, widely recognized for its robust mapping capabilities, offers reliable real-time traffic updates, offline map access, and the convenience of multimodal routing, which can be particularly useful for personal use or small-scale operations. Its per usage pricing model allows flexibility for sporadic or infrequent users.

On the other hand, Upper Route Planner is designed with complex logistics operations in mind, supporting up to 250 stops per route which is significantly more than the 10 stops that Google Maps allows. This makes Upper ideal for medium to large-scale businesses that require comprehensive route planning and management.

Additionally, Upper’s array of advanced features like service time settings, time windows, vehicle capacity optimization, and electronic proof of delivery, cater to the nuanced needs of businesses looking for detailed logistical control and efficiency.

Moreover, Upper’s per user pricing model and the opportunity to try the service free for 7 days provide businesses a predictable cost and the chance to evaluate the tool’s effectiveness in their specific context. The discounts available, especially the 20% off on annual billing, also make it financially appealing for long-term planning.

Why Choose Upper Over Google Maps?

When comparing the features, we found that while Google Maps is undoubtedly the best navigational software with robust route planning and optimization capabilities, it falls short in various areas compared to Upper.

Here’s what we found—functionalities that are available in Upper but not in Google Maps:

1. Vehicle capacity optimization

Upper allows you to optimize routes based on vehicle capacity, ensuring you make the most efficient use of your fleet. This feature helps reduce the number of trips required, saving time and fuel costs.

2. Electronic proof of deliveries (ePOD)

With Upper, drivers can capture electronic proof of deliveries, ensuring accurate and instant verification. This streamlines the delivery process, reduces paperwork, and enhances record-keeping.

3. Bulk import of multiple addresses

Upper enables the bulk import of multiple addresses, simplifying route planning for large-scale deliveries. This feature saves considerable time and reduces the chances of manual errors.

4. Automated customer alerts

Upper offers automated customer alerts, providing real-time updates to clients about their delivery status. This enhances customer satisfaction by keeping them informed and reducing uncertainty.

5. Multi-stop route planning

Upper supports multi-stop route planning, allowing you to efficiently plan complex routes with multiple stops. This is particularly useful for businesses that manage deliveries to numerous locations in a single trip.

6. Flexible pricing model

Upper offers a flexible pricing model that caters to different business sizes and needs, making it an affordable choice for various logistics operations.

7. Easy user interface

Upper’s user interface is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, ensuring that dispatchers and drivers can navigate the software with ease and minimal training.

8. Catering to different business sizes

Upper provides tailored solutions for different business sizes. Upper Solo is for individual drivers, and Upper Crew is for operations with multiple drivers. This flexibility ensures that businesses of all sizes benefit from Upper’s robust features.

One Solution for Your Multiple Routing Complexities!

With intelligent routing algorithms, an easy user interface, an extensive feature base, dedicated customer support, and affordable pricing plans with discount offers, what else do you need to scale your existing routing capabilities?

Some Proven Results By Upper

Upper has achieved remarkable results thanks to its extensive feature set and intelligent routing capabilities. Here are some of its successful customer stories that highlight its exceptional impact and the tangible benefits experienced by businesses using Upper:

Route planning time saved	10 hours a week
Delivery efficiency boosted	3 times
Delivery process digitalization	By 98%
Fuel costs saved	By 40%
Minutes spent on software training	0 minutes. There is no need to spend on training; our support team is there to help you have a smooth onboarding.
Try Upper’s 7 days FREE Trial Today

👉To discover more about how Upper can transform your logistics operations, consider exploring Upper’s exceptional customer success stories further.

Make Sure You Make The Right Choice

After a thorough comparison, it’s clear that both Upper and Google Maps offer valuable and comprehensive route-planning solutions, but they cater to different needs. Upper stands out with its wide features, making it ideal for businesses with complex delivery requirements.

With its excellent navigational capabilities and real-time traffic updates, Google Maps is perfect for simpler, cost-free routing needs.

Ultimately, choosing the right tool depends on your specific business requirements and the scale of your operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Upper offer multi-stop route optimization like Google Maps?

Yes, Upper route optimization software provides multi-stop route optimization. You can add multiple stops to your route, and it will calculate the most optimized path for you. Upper considers various internal and external factors, such as delivery constraints, service times, stop priorities, weather conditions, and traffic patterns. Additionally, Upper offers features like drag-and-drop stop reordering and optimizing routes based on delivery time windows.

Does Upper offer offline maps like Google Maps?

Upper might not provide navigation when offline, but you can surely plan and optimize the route in the absence of a stable internet connection.

Can I try Upper before committing to a subscription?

Yes, Upper offers a 7 days free trial with no credit card requirement. This allows you to experience its powerful features and determine whether it is the right fit for your business.