Software · head to head
What3words vs Gaia GPS
What3words
Software
What3words has divided the world into 3m squares and given each one
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
Gaia GPS
Software
Premium backcountry navigation for outdoor adventurers
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Gaia GPS 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; Gaia GPS gaia GPS Premium requires an Outside+ subscription and account, per the App Store listing
- They diverge on capability: What3words covers Core Functionality, Gaia GPS covers Topo maps.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which What3words and Gaia GPS actually diverge.
| Attribute | What3words | Gaia GPS |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | Free |
| Pricing model | freemium | Unknown |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Web | iOS, Android, Web |
| Founded | Unknown | 2008 |
Identical on both: 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 Gaia GPS
- Topo maps
- Satellite imagery
- Offline maps
- Track recording
- Waypoint management
- Garmin inReach
- Apple Watch
- Garmin Connect
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 Gaia GPS
- Adding location entry to a delivery or dispatch appnot Gaia GPS
- Converting between coordinates and what3words addresses via APInot Gaia GPS
Gaia GPS
- Offline topographic map navigation for hiking and backcountry travelnot What3words
- Trail discovery and uploading in remote areasnot What3words
- 4x4 off-road and overlanding navigationnot What3words
- Ski touring and backcountry skiing navigationnot 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
Gaia GPS
- Gaia GPS Premium requires an Outside+ subscription and account, per the App Store listing
- Subscription auto-renews unless turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period, per the App Store listing
Pricing, plan by plan
What3words
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the What3words review.
Gaia GPS
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Gaia GPS review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Gaia GPS if
- You need topo maps.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on iOS, Android, Web.
- You also want satellite imagery.
Questions people ask
- Is What3words or Gaia GPS better?
- Neither clearly leads. What3words starts at On request and Gaia GPS at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, What3words or Gaia GPS?
- Gaia GPS has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for What3words and Free for Gaia GPS.
- Does What3words or Gaia GPS run on more platforms?
- What3words runs on Web. Gaia GPS runs on iOS, Android, Web.
- Can I use Gaia GPS for free?
- Yes. Gaia GPS 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 Gaia GPS is typically brought in for.
- What can What3words do that Gaia GPS cannot?
- What3words covers Core Functionality, User Interface. Gaia GPS covers Topo maps, Satellite imagery, Offline maps, Track recording.