Softwr

Maps · head to head

OpenLayers vs What3words

OpenLayers logo

OpenLayers

Maps

High-performance, feature-packed JavaScript library for creating interactive maps on the web with

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 OpenLayers has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: OpenLayers no commercial support included; community-driven library; 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 OpenLayers and What3words actually diverge.

Attributes where OpenLayers and What3words differ
AttributeOpenLayersWhat3words
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 OpenLayers

Nothing recorded that What3words does not also cover.

Only in What3words

Nothing recorded that OpenLayers 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.

OpenLayers

  • Embedding interactive maps showing store locations on retail websitesnot What3words
  • Visualizing GPS tracking data for delivery routes on web dashboardsnot What3words
  • Creating choropleth maps displaying regional sales performancenot What3words
  • Building mapping interfaces for real estate property searchesnot What3words

What3words

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

Where each one falls short

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

OpenLayers

  • No commercial support included; community-driven library

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

OpenLayers

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the OpenLayers review.

What3words

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the What3words review.

Which should you pick?

Choose OpenLayers if

  • You want to start without paying.
OpenLayers review

Choose What3words if

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

What3words review

Questions people ask

Is OpenLayers or What3words better?
Neither clearly leads. OpenLayers 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, OpenLayers or What3words?
OpenLayers has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for OpenLayers and On request for What3words.
Does OpenLayers or What3words run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use OpenLayers for free?
Yes. OpenLayers has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. What3words starts at On request.
What is OpenLayers best used for?
OpenLayers is most often used for embedding interactive maps showing store locations on retail websites, visualizing gps tracking data for delivery routes on web dashboards, creating choropleth maps displaying regional sales performance, building mapping interfaces for real estate property searches. Of those, embedding interactive maps showing store locations on retail websites and visualizing gps tracking data for delivery routes on web dashboards are not what What3words is typically brought in for.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

OpenLayers: How much does OpenLayers cost?

OpenLayers is completely free, open source JavaScript library released under the 2-clause BSD License (FreeBSD License) with no cost for use, modification, or distribution.

Source
OpenLayers: What license does OpenLayers use?

OpenLayers is released under the 2-clause BSD License (also known as the FreeBSD License), allowing free use, modification, and distribution.

Source
OpenLayers: Can I use OpenLayers commercially?

Yes, OpenLayers is free to use commercially without any licensing fees. The open source license permits commercial use without restriction.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on OpenLayers

More on What3words

Keep looking

Other head to heads