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Maps · head to head

QGIS vs What3words

Q

QGIS

Maps

Free, open-source desktop GIS application that supports viewing, editing, and analysis of

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: QGIS requires technical knowledge to use effectively for advanced GIS analysis; 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 QGIS and What3words actually diverge.

Attributes where QGIS and What3words differ
AttributeQGISWhat3words
PlatformsWindows, macOS, LinuxWeb

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

Nothing recorded that What3words does not also cover.

Only in What3words

Nothing recorded that QGIS 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.

QGIS

  • Creating thematic maps showing population density by regionnot What3words
  • Digitizing building footprints from satellite imagery for urban planningnot What3words
  • Analyzing proximity of retail stores to competitor locationsnot What3words
  • Performing spatial analysis of wildlife habitat suitabilitynot What3words

What3words

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

Where each one falls short

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

QGIS

  • Requires technical knowledge to use effectively for advanced GIS analysis
  • Desktop application does not include built-in web publishing capabilities

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

QGIS

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the QGIS review.

What3words

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the What3words review.

Which should you pick?

Choose QGIS if

  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
QGIS review

Choose What3words if

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

What3words review

Questions people ask

Is QGIS or What3words better?
Neither clearly leads. QGIS 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, QGIS or What3words?
QGIS starts at On request and What3words at On request.
Does QGIS or What3words run on more platforms?
QGIS runs on Windows, macOS, Linux. What3words runs on Web.
What is QGIS best used for?
QGIS is most often used for creating thematic maps showing population density by region, digitizing building footprints from satellite imagery for urban planning, analyzing proximity of retail stores to competitor locations, performing spatial analysis of wildlife habitat suitability. Of those, creating thematic maps showing population density by region and digitizing building footprints from satellite imagery for urban planning are not what What3words is typically brought in for.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

QGIS: Is QGIS free and open source?

Yes. QGIS is free and open-source software, licensed under the GNU General Public License, available for download and modification by anyone.

Source
QGIS: What operating systems does QGIS support?

QGIS runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, with installers available for each platform.

Source
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