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WhatFreeWords VS what3words

Compare WhatFreeWords VS what3words and see what are their differences

WhatFreeWords logo WhatFreeWords

WhatFreeWords is a free and open-source, compatible implementation of the What3Words geocoding. See About to learn more about how it works.

what3words logo what3words

Geocoding system for the simple communication of locations with a resolution of 3 m
  • WhatFreeWords Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-17
  • what3words Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-12-11

WhatFreeWords features and specs

No features have been listed yet.

what3words features and specs

  • Precision
    what3words divides the world into 3m x 3m squares, providing very precise location information. This can be more specific than traditional street addresses and helpful in areas with limited addressing.
  • Ease of Use
    Three-word combinations are generally easier to remember and communicate than long strings of GPS coordinates, making it user-friendly for the general public.
  • Global Coverage
    what3words provides an addressing solution for the entire world, including areas that do not have formal street addresses or those that are difficult to map with conventional systems.
  • Integration
    The system can be easily integrated into various applications and services, such as delivery services, emergency response, and navigation apps, increasing its utility.
  • Language Support
    what3words is available in multiple languages, which helps in overcoming language barriers and can be a valuable tool for international use.

Possible disadvantages of what3words

  • Dependency on Technology
    To decode and use what3words addresses, an internet connection or the company’s app is generally required, which can be limiting in areas without robust technology infrastructure.
  • Privacy Concerns
    The precise nature of what3words could raise privacy issues, as it can pinpoint exact locations of residences or individuals if misused.
  • Proprietary System
    what3words is a proprietary system, which means users are dependent on a private company. This can lead to potential concerns about data ownership and longevity of the service.
  • Ambiguity in Pronunciation
    Certain word combinations may be difficult to pronounce or may sound similar to other combinations, leading to potential errors in communication.
  • Complexity in Error Correction
    A mistake in one of the three words could lead to an entirely different and possibly distant location. Unlike traditional addresses, there's less redundancy to aid in error correction.

WhatFreeWords videos

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what3words videos

What3words navigation app reviewed

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to use What3Words
  • Review - what3words in 2020 - Year in Review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to WhatFreeWords and what3words)
Geolocation
37 37%
63% 63
Maps
14 14%
86% 86
Mapping And GIS
0 0%
100% 100
Web Mapping
15 15%
85% 85

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare WhatFreeWords and what3words

WhatFreeWords Reviews

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what3words Reviews

Best cycling apps 2023 | 21 of the best iPhone and Android apps to download
The What3words app takes a simple and unique approach to locating and navigating to specific places. What3words
Best cycling apps | 18 of the best iPhone and Android apps to download
The What3words app takes a simple and unique approach to locating and navigating to specific places. What3words

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, what3words seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 124 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

WhatFreeWords mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of WhatFreeWords yet. Tracking of WhatFreeWords recommendations started around Mar 2021.

what3words mentions (124)

  • Reverse Geocoding Is Hard
    What 3 words (https://what3words.com/) solves this problem, but it doesn't seem to be popular. If anyone has experience, I would be curious to know why. - Source: Hacker News / 11 days ago
  • Government report proves that we need to liberate the Postcode Address File
    Or we can just start using https://what3words.com/ and geolocation. I disagree with the report, I think it's feasible with a bit of creativity. The government also has this: https://www.data.gov.uk/dataset/091feb1c-aea6-45c9-82bf-768a15c65307/open-postcode-geo We could also start with an imperfect solution, offer it as a free API (maybe even self-hosted and communicating with other services p2p) and wait for users... - Source: Hacker News / 9 months ago
  • I Know What Your Password Was Last Summer
    Something to add to their list of common passwords is the What3Words database of locations https://what3words.com It's something like 50trillion sets of looks-random strings. That's quite a lot, but if the list could be narrowed very significantly to get some likely results by selecting locations in: 1) cities where a company is physically located 2) large capital & global cities 3) significant landmarks I see... - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • No rapid numbers on driveways
    I’m waiting for these guys to make a breakthrough here. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Unique Challenges of Geocoding in India
    I assume this is the problem that https://what3words.com/ is trying to solve. But I guess it being in English makes it a less good solution. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing WhatFreeWords and what3words, you can also consider the following products

OpenStreetMap - OpenStreetMap is a map of the world, created by people like you and free to use under an open license.

OSGeo - QGIS is a desktop geographic information system, or GIS.

Plus Codes by Google - Street addresses for places that don't have one 🗺️

ArcGIS - ArcGIS software is a data analysis, cloud-based mapping platform that allows users to customize maps and see real-time data ranging from logistics support to overall mapping analysis.

Pataa - Pataa simplifies your long complex address into a unique short code that is easy to share & navigate. Mark landmarks & guide address with your recorded voice.

MyLoc - Name Your Location