Software · head to head
What3words vs Esri ArcGIS
What3words
Software
What3words has divided the world into 3m squares and given each one
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- 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; Esri ArcGIS arcGIS Online is cloud-based only; self-hosted deployment requires separate ArcGIS Enterprise licence
- They diverge on capability: What3words covers Core Functionality, Esri ArcGIS covers Mapping & Visualization.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which What3words and Esri ArcGIS actually diverge.
| Attribute | What3words | Esri ArcGIS |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | freemium | quote |
| Platforms | Web | Web, Mobile (field apps), Desktop |
| Founded | Unknown | 1969 |
Identical on both: starting price (On request), free tier (No), 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 Esri ArcGIS
- Mapping & Visualization
- Spatial Analysis
- Data Management
- Field Operations
- Real-time Analytics
- AutoCAD
- SAP
- Microsoft Office
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 Esri ArcGIS
- Adding location entry to a delivery or dispatch appnot Esri ArcGIS
- Converting between coordinates and what3words addresses via APInot Esri ArcGIS
Esri ArcGIS
- Geospatial mapping and spatial analysisnot What3words
- Enterprise data governance and managementnot What3words
- Real-time field data collectionnot What3words
- AI-assisted geospatial analysisnot 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
Esri ArcGIS
- ArcGIS Online is cloud-based only; self-hosted deployment requires separate ArcGIS Enterprise licence
- Field and offline workflows require advanced capabilities; basic plans may lack offline synchronisation
- Pricing details not published; customers must contact sales for quotes
Pricing, plan by plan
What3words
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the What3words review.
Esri ArcGIS
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Esri ArcGIS review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Esri ArcGIS if
- You need mapping & visualization.
- You work on Web, Mobile (field apps), Desktop.
- You also want spatial analysis.
Questions people ask
- Is What3words or Esri ArcGIS better?
- Neither clearly leads. What3words starts at On request and Esri ArcGIS at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, What3words or Esri ArcGIS?
- What3words starts at On request and Esri ArcGIS at On request.
- Does What3words or Esri ArcGIS run on more platforms?
- What3words runs on Web. Esri ArcGIS runs on Web, Mobile (field apps), Desktop.
- 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 Esri ArcGIS is typically brought in for.
- What can What3words do that Esri ArcGIS cannot?
- What3words covers Core Functionality, User Interface. Esri ArcGIS covers Mapping & Visualization, Spatial Analysis, Data Management, Field Operations.