Software · head to head
What3words vs CARTO
What3words
Software
What3words has divided the world into 3m squares and given each one
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only CARTO 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; CARTO no prices are published; the committed tiers are all quote-only
- They diverge on capability: What3words covers Core Functionality, CARTO covers Spatial Analysis.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which What3words and CARTO actually diverge.
| Attribute | What3words | CARTO |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | Free |
| Pricing model | freemium | subscription |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Founded | Unknown | 2012 |
Identical on both: platforms (Web), 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 CARTO
- Spatial Analysis
- Interactive Maps
- Data Observatory
- Workflows
- APIs
- Snowflake
- BigQuery
- PostgreSQL
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 CARTO
- Adding location entry to a delivery or dispatch appnot CARTO
- Converting between coordinates and what3words addresses via APInot CARTO
CARTO
- Spatial analysis over data already in a cloud warehousenot What3words
- Building interactive maps and location dashboardsnot What3words
- Geocoding and routing through location data servicesnot What3words
- Site selection and territory planningnot What3words
- Self-hosted geospatial analytics for regulated environmentsnot 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
CARTO
- No prices are published; the committed tiers are all quote-only
- Metered on four separate axes: workflow runs, map loads, API calls and location data service operations
- API access and tokens are limited on pay-as-you-go and unlimited only from the Strategic tier
- Self-hosting is available on Enterprise and included only on the Custom tier
- The 14 day trial explicitly forbids production use
Pricing, plan by plan
What3words
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the What3words review.
CARTO
Free- Professional$199/month
- Spatial Analysis
- Data Observatory
- Builder
Which should you pick?
Choose CARTO if
- You need spatial analysis.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want interactive maps.
Questions people ask
- Is What3words or CARTO better?
- Neither clearly leads. What3words starts at On request and CARTO at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, What3words or CARTO?
- CARTO has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for What3words and Free for CARTO.
- Does What3words or CARTO run on more platforms?
- Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
- Can I use CARTO for free?
- Yes. CARTO 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 CARTO is typically brought in for.
- What can What3words do that CARTO cannot?
- What3words covers Core Functionality, User Interface. CARTO covers Spatial Analysis, Interactive Maps, Data Observatory, Workflows.