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What3words vs AllTrails

What3words logo

What3words

Software

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

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
AllTrails logo

AllTrails

Software

Discover the best hiking and biking trails

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only AllTrails has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: What3words the free API plan includes no coordinate conversion, only AutoSuggest, and is rate limited to 5 requests per second; AllTrails the App Store listing shows AllTrails is a free download with an in-app Pro subscription; the visible listing text does not state the Pro price, so the reader must check in-app purchases for the current rate.
  • They diverge on capability: What3words covers Core Functionality, AllTrails covers Trail discovery.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which What3words and AllTrails actually diverge.

Attributes where What3words and AllTrails differ
AttributeWhat3wordsAllTrails
Starting priceOn requestFree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebIos, Android, Web
FoundedUnknown2010

Identical on both: pricing model (freemium), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 What3words

  • Core Functionality
  • User Interface

Only in AllTrails

  • Trail discovery
  • Offline maps
  • GPS navigation
  • Activity recording
  • Trail reviews
  • Apple Health
  • Garmin
  • Apple Watch

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

What3words

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

AllTrails

  • Trail discoverynot What3words
  • Hiking navigationnot What3words
  • Outdoor fitness trackingnot What3words

Where each one falls short

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

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

AllTrails

  • The App Store listing shows AllTrails is a free download with an in-app Pro subscription; the visible listing text does not state the Pro price, so the reader must check in-app purchases for the current rate.

Pricing, plan by plan

What3words

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the What3words review.

AllTrails

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Trail search
    • Community reviews
    • Basic maps
  • AllTrails+$35.99/year
    • Offline maps
    • Real-time navigation
    • Trail conditions

Which should you pick?

Choose What3words if

  • You need core functionality.
  • You also want user interface.
What3words review

Choose AllTrails if

  • You need trail discovery.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want offline maps.
AllTrails review

Questions people ask

Is What3words or AllTrails better?
Neither clearly leads. What3words starts at On request and AllTrails at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, What3words or AllTrails?
AllTrails has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for What3words and Free for AllTrails.
Does What3words or AllTrails run on more platforms?
What3words runs on Web. AllTrails runs on Ios, Android, Web.
Can I use AllTrails for free?
Yes. AllTrails has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. What3words starts at On request.
What is What3words best used for?
What3words is most often used for referring to a 3 metre square location with three words, adding location entry to a delivery or dispatch app, converting between coordinates and what3words addresses via api. Of those, referring to a 3 metre square location with three words and adding location entry to a delivery or dispatch app are not what AllTrails is typically brought in for.
What can What3words do that AllTrails cannot?
What3words covers Core Functionality, User Interface. AllTrails covers Trail discovery, Offline maps, GPS navigation, Activity recording.
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