Softwr

Maps · head to head

deck.gl vs What3words

deck.gl logo

deck.gl

Maps

WebGL-powered framework for visual exploratory data analysis of large datasets, developed by

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
What3words logo

What3words

Maps

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

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only deck.gl has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: deck.gl open source framework with no commercial support tier available; support relies on community and GitHub issues; What3words the free API plan includes no coordinate conversion, only AutoSuggest, and is rate limited to 5 requests per second
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which deck.gl and What3words actually diverge.

Attributes where deck.gl and What3words differ
Attributedeck.glWhat3words
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelopen-sourcefreemium
Free tierYesNo

Identical on both: platforms (Web), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Maps).

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 deck.gl

Nothing recorded that What3words does not also cover.

Only in What3words

Nothing recorded that deck.gl 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.

deck.gl

  • GPU-accelerated visualisation of large geospatial datasets in the browsernot What3words
  • Composing map overlays from reusable layersnot What3words
  • Adding data layers on top of Google Maps or Mapbox basemapsnot What3words
  • High-precision plotting using 64-bit GPU computationnot What3words
  • Use from React or plain JavaScriptnot What3words

What3words

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

Where each one falls short

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

deck.gl

  • Open source framework with no commercial support tier available; support relies on community and GitHub issues
  • Maintained by community contributors (vis.gl contributors), not by a dedicated company support team

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

deck.gl

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the deck.gl review.

What3words

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the What3words review.

Which should you pick?

Choose deck.gl if

  • You want to start without paying.
deck.gl review

Choose What3words if

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

What3words review

Questions people ask

Is deck.gl or What3words better?
Neither clearly leads. deck.gl starts at Free and What3words at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, deck.gl or What3words?
deck.gl has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for deck.gl and On request for What3words.
Does deck.gl or What3words run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use deck.gl for free?
Yes. deck.gl has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. What3words starts at On request.
What is deck.gl best used for?
deck.gl is most often used for gpu-accelerated visualisation of large geospatial datasets in the browser, composing map overlays from reusable layers, adding data layers on top of google maps or mapbox basemaps, high-precision plotting using 64-bit gpu computation. Of those, gpu-accelerated visualisation of large geospatial datasets in the browser and composing map overlays from reusable layers are not what What3words is typically brought in for.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

deck.gl: How much does deck.gl cost?

deck.gl is completely free to use. It is an open source framework maintained by the OpenJS Foundation and community contributors. The project is available on GitHub for anyone to use, modify, and contribute to without cost.

Source
deck.gl: Is deck.gl open source?

Yes, deck.gl is open source software maintained by the OpenJS Foundation and vis.gl contributors. The source code is publicly available, and the framework can be used freely in any project.

Source
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