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Maps & Navigation · head to head

Mapbox vs What3words

Mapbox logo

Mapbox

Maps & Navigation

Location data platform for mobile and web applications

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
What3words logo

What3words

Maps & Navigation

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

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Mapbox has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Mapbox data accuracy varies by region compared to Google Maps' global consistency; 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 Mapbox and What3words actually diverge.

Attributes where Mapbox and What3words differ
AttributeMapboxWhat3words
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidWeb
Founded2010Unknown

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Maps & Navigation).

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 Mapbox

Nothing recorded that What3words does not also cover.

Only in What3words

Nothing recorded that Mapbox 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.

Mapbox

  • In-vehicle navigation and automotive infotainmentnot What3words
  • Delivery and on-demand logistics routingnot What3words
  • Custom map design and hosting through Studio and the Tiling Servicenot What3words
  • Geocoding, address validation and autofill in an applicationnot What3words
  • Telecom coverage and business intelligence visualisationnot What3words

What3words

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

Where each one falls short

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

Mapbox

  • Data accuracy varies by region compared to Google Maps' global consistency
  • Real-time traffic data quality inconsistent across different geographic locations
  • Less familiar interface to users accustomed to Google Maps

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

Mapbox

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Mapbox review.

What3words

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the What3words review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Mapbox if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
Mapbox review

Choose What3words if

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

What3words review

Questions people ask

Is Mapbox or What3words better?
Neither clearly leads. Mapbox 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, Mapbox or What3words?
Mapbox has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Mapbox and On request for What3words.
Does Mapbox or What3words run on more platforms?
Mapbox runs on Web, iOS, Android. What3words runs on Web.
Can I use Mapbox for free?
Yes. Mapbox has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. What3words starts at On request.
What is Mapbox best used for?
Mapbox is most often used for in-vehicle navigation and automotive infotainment, delivery and on-demand logistics routing, custom map design and hosting through studio and the tiling service, geocoding, address validation and autofill in an application. Of those, in-vehicle navigation and automotive infotainment and delivery and on-demand logistics routing are not what What3words is typically brought in for.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Mapbox: What is Mapbox's pricing model?

Mapbox uses usage-based pricing with a free tier supporting 50,000 monthly map loads for web. Beyond that, pricing ranges from $0.50-$5 per 1,000 navigation requests and $0.75-$4 per 1,000 geocoding queries.

Source
Mapbox: How does Mapbox compare to Google Maps in pricing?

For moderate to high-volume customers, Mapbox total cost is often 25-50% lower than Google Maps Platform, making it more cost-effective at scale.

Source
Mapbox: What are Mapbox's key features?

Mapbox provides global map data, real-time traffic, geocoding and address search, routing and directions, extensive customization options, and strong data visualization tools for developers.

Source
Mapbox: Does Mapbox support offline maps?

Yes. Mapbox allows developers to download offline map tiles, providing offline map viewing and navigation capabilities unlike Google Maps API's restricted offline functionality.

Source
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