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Gaia GPS vs What3words

Gaia GPS logo

Gaia GPS

Maps

Premium backcountry navigation for outdoor adventurers

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 Gaia GPS has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Gaia GPS no specific pricing details are published for the Premium tier; What3words the free API plan includes no coordinate conversion, only AutoSuggest, and is rate limited to 5 requests per second
  • They diverge on capability: Gaia GPS covers Topo maps, What3words covers Core Functionality.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Gaia GPS and What3words actually diverge.

Attributes where Gaia GPS and What3words differ
AttributeGaia GPSWhat3words
Starting priceFreeOn request
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, Android, WebWeb
Founded2008Unknown

Identical on both: pricing model (freemium), 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 Gaia GPS

  • Topo maps
  • Satellite imagery
  • Offline maps
  • Track recording
  • Waypoint management
  • Garmin inReach
  • Apple Watch
  • Garmin Connect

Only in What3words

  • Core Functionality
  • User Interface

What people use each for

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

Gaia GPS

  • Offline topographic map navigation for hiking and backcountry travelnot What3words
  • Trail discovery and uploading in remote areasnot What3words
  • 4x4 off-road and overlanding navigationnot What3words
  • Ski touring and backcountry skiing navigationnot What3words

What3words

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

Where each one falls short

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

Gaia GPS

  • No specific pricing details are published for the Premium tier
  • Pricing information only available through checkout or app interface

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

Gaia GPS

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Gaia GPS review.

What3words

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the What3words review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Gaia GPS if

  • You need topo maps.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want satellite imagery.
Gaia GPS review

Choose What3words if

  • You need core functionality.
  • You also want user interface.
What3words review

Questions people ask

Is Gaia GPS or What3words better?
Neither clearly leads. Gaia GPS 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, Gaia GPS or What3words?
Gaia GPS has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Gaia GPS and On request for What3words.
Does Gaia GPS or What3words run on more platforms?
Gaia GPS runs on iOS, Android, Web. What3words runs on Web.
Can I use Gaia GPS for free?
Yes. Gaia GPS has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. What3words starts at On request.
What is Gaia GPS best used for?
Gaia GPS is most often used for offline topographic map navigation for hiking and backcountry travel, trail discovery and uploading in remote areas, 4x4 off-road and overlanding navigation, ski touring and backcountry skiing navigation. Of those, offline topographic map navigation for hiking and backcountry travel and trail discovery and uploading in remote areas are not what What3words is typically brought in for.
What can Gaia GPS do that What3words cannot?
Gaia GPS covers Topo maps, Satellite imagery, Offline maps, Track recording. What3words covers Core Functionality, User Interface.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Gaia GPS: Does Gaia GPS offer a free version?

Yes, Gaia GPS Free is available. The service also offers Gaia GPS Premium as a paid tier, but specific pricing details are not disclosed on the website.

Source
Gaia GPS: How much does Gaia GPS Premium cost?

Gaia GPS Premium is a paid subscription option, but the vendor does not publish specific pricing on their website. Pricing information is available through the app's checkout or registration pages.

Source
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