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Maps · head to head

Waze vs What3words

Waze logo

Waze

Maps

Community-driven GPS navigation app that uses real-time traffic data from its users

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 Waze has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Waze no offline maps capability, requiring constant internet connectivity; 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 Waze and What3words actually diverge.

Attributes where Waze and What3words differ
AttributeWazeWhat3words
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreefreemium
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, Android, WebWeb
Founded2008Unknown

Identical on both: 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 Waze

Nothing recorded that What3words does not also cover.

Only in What3words

Nothing recorded that Waze 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.

Waze

  • Real-time navigation and route planning with live traffic updatesnot What3words
  • Reporting hazards and roadway conditions to community driversnot What3words
  • Finding alternative routes to avoid congestion and accidentsnot What3words
  • Connecting with first responders and emergency servicesnot What3words
  • Community-driven mapping and road condition improvementsnot What3words

What3words

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

Where each one falls short

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

Waze

  • No offline maps capability, requiring constant internet connectivity
  • Routing reliability declined with reports of longer routes and restricted road directions
  • Privacy concerns with location data collection and location-based ads after Google acquisition
  • Stability issues including crashes on CarPlay and slow loading times

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

Waze

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Waze review.

What3words

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the What3words review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Waze if

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

Choose What3words if

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

What3words review

Questions people ask

Is Waze or What3words better?
Neither clearly leads. Waze 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, Waze or What3words?
Waze has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Waze and On request for What3words.
Does Waze or What3words run on more platforms?
Waze runs on iOS, Android, Web. What3words runs on Web.
Can I use Waze for free?
Yes. Waze has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. What3words starts at On request.
What is Waze best used for?
Waze is most often used for real-time navigation and route planning with live traffic updates, reporting hazards and roadway conditions to community drivers, finding alternative routes to avoid congestion and accidents, connecting with first responders and emergency services. Of those, real-time navigation and route planning with live traffic updates and reporting hazards and roadway conditions to community drivers are not what What3words is typically brought in for.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Waze: Does Waze work offline?

No, Waze relies on real-time data and does not support offline maps, limiting usability when without internet connectivity.

Source
Waze: How does Waze handle my location data?

Since Google's 2013 acquisition, Waze shares location history with Google's ad network and serves location-based ads. This differs from privacy-focused alternatives like Apple Maps.

Source
Waze: What platforms can I use Waze on?

Waze is available on iOS and Android mobile apps, and via web through the Live Map feature accessible from any computer or tablet.

Source
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