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Apple Maps vs What3words

Apple Maps logo

Apple Maps

Software

Web mapping and navigation application developed by Apple Inc

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
What3words logo

What3words

Software

What3words has divided the world into 3m squares and given each one

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Apple Maps live traffic updates, public transit info, and satellite view all require an active internet connection, offline mode (iOS 17+) is limited to pre-downloaded areas for driving, walking, cycling, and transit directions; What3words the free API plan includes no coordinate conversion, only AutoSuggest, and is rate limited to 5 requests per second

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Apple Maps and What3words actually diverge.

Attributes where Apple Maps and What3words differ
AttributeApple MapsWhat3words
PlatformsiOS, macOS, WebWeb
Founded2012Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (freemium), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Apple Maps

Nothing recorded that What3words does not also cover.

Only in What3words

Nothing recorded that Apple Maps does not also cover.

Both cover

  • Core Functionality
  • User Interface

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Apple Maps

  • Turn-by-turn driving, walking, and cycling navigationnot What3words
  • Public transit directions with real-time schedules (subways, buses, trains, ferries)not What3words
  • Offline turn-by-turn directions for pre-downloaded areas (iOS 17+)not What3words
  • Augmented-reality immersive walking directions in supported citiesnot What3words
  • Saving custom hiking/walking routes, including U.S. national park hikes, for offline accessnot What3words

What3words

  • Referring to a 3 metre square location with three wordsnot Apple Maps
  • Adding location entry to a delivery or dispatch appnot Apple Maps
  • Converting between coordinates and what3words addresses via APInot Apple Maps

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Apple Maps

  • Live traffic updates, public transit info, and satellite view all require an active internet connection, offline mode (iOS 17+) is limited to pre-downloaded areas for driving, walking, cycling, and transit directions
  • Apple Maps for the web is only in public beta, not a full-featured release
  • Feature depth (e.g. immersive walking AR directions, detailed transit) is strongest on newer iPhones/iOS versions, leaving older devices with a reduced experience

What3words

  • The free API plan includes no coordinate conversion, only AutoSuggest, and is rate limited to 5 requests per second
  • Converting to and from what3words addresses starts on the Basic plan at $9.99 per month for 1,000 conversions
  • Priority and developer support require the Standard plan at $45 per month
  • 24/7 phone support requires the Plus plan at $125 per month
  • Custom invoicing and annual payment require the Premium plan at $300 per month
  • Overage pricing is not published; the page states only that a fair usage policy applies
  • The three word address scheme is proprietary and licensed rather than open data

Pricing, plan by plan

Apple Maps

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Apple Maps review.

What3words

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the What3words review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Apple Maps if

  • You work on iOS, macOS, Web.
Apple Maps review

Choose What3words if

Nothing in the data separates What3words from Apple Maps on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

What3words review

Questions people ask

Is Apple Maps or What3words better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple Maps starts at On request and What3words at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apple Maps or What3words?
Apple Maps starts at On request and What3words at On request.
Does Apple Maps or What3words run on more platforms?
Apple Maps runs on iOS, macOS, Web. What3words runs on Web.
What is Apple Maps best used for?
Apple Maps is most often used for turn-by-turn driving, walking, and cycling navigation, public transit directions with real-time schedules (subways, buses, trains, ferries), offline turn-by-turn directions for pre-downloaded areas (ios 17+), augmented-reality immersive walking directions in supported cities. Of those, turn-by-turn driving, walking, and cycling navigation and public transit directions with real-time schedules (subways, buses, trains, ferries) are not what What3words is typically brought in for.
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