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Maps · head to head

Mapzen vs What3words

Mapzen logo

Mapzen

Maps

Mapzen was an open-source mapping platform that provided geocoding, routing, and map rendering services

From
On request
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

  • Each has a real cost: Mapzen no pricing information published on main product page describing services and features; 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 Mapzen and What3words actually diverge.

Attributes where Mapzen and What3words differ
AttributeMapzenWhat3words

Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (freemium), free tier (No), 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 Mapzen

Nothing recorded that What3words does not also cover.

Only in What3words

Nothing recorded that Mapzen 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.

Mapzen

  • Mapping platform with vector tiles and terrain datanot What3words
  • Search, routing, and navigation servicesnot What3words

What3words

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

Where each one falls short

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

Mapzen

  • No pricing information published on main product page describing services and features
  • No clear indication of whether Mapzen is still actively maintained or in legacy status
  • No published tier structure or usage limits visible to potential customers

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

Mapzen

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Mapzen review.

What3words

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the What3words review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Mapzen if

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

Mapzen review

Choose What3words if

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

What3words review

Questions people ask

Is Mapzen or What3words better?
Neither clearly leads. Mapzen 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, Mapzen or What3words?
Mapzen starts at On request and What3words at On request.
Does Mapzen or What3words run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
What is Mapzen best used for?
Mapzen is most often used for mapping platform with vector tiles and terrain data, search, routing, and navigation services. Of those, mapping platform with vector tiles and terrain data and search, routing, and navigation services are not what What3words is typically brought in for.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Mapzen: What is Mapzen's pricing model for mapping and routing services?

Mapzen does not publish pricing information on its main website. The platform describes various services including map display, search, turn-by-turn navigation, routing (isochrone, map matching, optimized routes), and data products (vector tiles, terrain tiles, elevation data), but no cost details are disclosed.

Source
Mapzen: What data products does Mapzen offer?

Mapzen offers vector tiles, terrain tiles, and elevation data products. Specific pricing for accessing these data products is not published on the website. Interested customers should contact Mapzen directly for commercial licensing information.

Source
Mapzen: Does Mapzen provide turn-by-turn navigation and routing services?

Yes, Mapzen includes turn-by-turn navigation and routing services including isochrone, map matching, and optimized routes functionality. Pricing and API rate limits for these services are not disclosed on the main website.

Source
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