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Google Maps Platform vs What3words

Google Maps Platform logo

Google Maps Platform

Software

Comprehensive set of APIs and SDKs that allow developers to embed Google

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: Google Maps Platform free allowances are per service rather than pooled, at 10,000 events a month for dynamic maps, geocoding and autocomplete; 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 Google Maps Platform and What3words actually diverge.

Attributes where Google Maps Platform and What3words differ
AttributeGoogle Maps PlatformWhat3words
Founded2005Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (freemium), free tier (No), platforms (Web), 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 Google Maps Platform

Nothing recorded that What3words does not also cover.

Only in What3words

Nothing recorded that Google Maps Platform 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.

Google Maps Platform

  • Embedding dynamic maps, Street View and photorealistic 3D tiles in an applicationnot What3words
  • Route computation, navigation and fleet route optimisationnot What3words
  • Geocoding, place autocomplete and address validationnot What3words
  • Environmental data including weather, solar, air quality and pollennot What3words
  • Geospatial analytics through Earth Enginenot What3words

What3words

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

Where each one falls short

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

Google Maps Platform

  • Free allowances are per service rather than pooled, at 10,000 events a month for dynamic maps, geocoding and autocomplete
  • Dynamic Maps cost $7.00 per 1,000 calls at the entry tier
  • Geocoding and the Directions API both cost $5.00 per 1,000 calls at the entry tier
  • Pricing is tiered by volume, so the effective unit price depends on total monthly usage and is hard to predict in advance
  • Billing is usage based with no flat plan, so a traffic spike is a cost spike

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

Google Maps Platform

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Maps Platform review.

What3words

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the What3words review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Google Maps Platform if

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

Google Maps Platform review

Choose What3words if

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

What3words review

Questions people ask

Is Google Maps Platform or What3words better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Maps Platform 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, Google Maps Platform or What3words?
Google Maps Platform starts at On request and What3words at On request.
Does Google Maps Platform or What3words run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
What is Google Maps Platform best used for?
Google Maps Platform is most often used for embedding dynamic maps, street view and photorealistic 3d tiles in an application, route computation, navigation and fleet route optimisation, geocoding, place autocomplete and address validation, environmental data including weather, solar, air quality and pollen. Of those, embedding dynamic maps, street view and photorealistic 3d tiles in an application and route computation, navigation and fleet route optimisation are not what What3words is typically brought in for.
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