Comparison

GridPoint GB vs what3words

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

GridPoint GB

Locate yourself on a paper Ordnance Survey map using your iPhone's GPS and compass, even without mobile reception. It provides your grid reference and heading, with accurate coordinate conversions. Features include Apple Watch integration, location sharing, and sunset/sunrise times.

Highlights
  • GPS and compass for location
  • Accurate coordinate conversions
  • Apple Watch app and complication
  • Location sharing
  • Sunset and sunrise times
  • Distress signal
Features
Read full description

If you have a paper Ordnance Survey (OS) map, GridPoint GB makes it easy to locate yourself — even when you've got no mobile reception. The app uses your iPhone's GPS and compass to provide your current grid reference and heading, and illustrates how to use this to locate yourself on the map. Coordinate conversions are implemented via OS's OSTN02, accurate to within 1m. The app also: * Includes an Apple Watch app and associated complication * Reports full numerical easting and northing, tetrad, raw latitude/longitude, a nearby postcode, and various heading parameters * Has a sharing facility so you can share, copy or store your location * Calculates next sunset and sunrise times * Can emit a distress signal, just in case All features are free to use — the in-app purchase is simply a tip you can give the developer to show appreciation. For details and instructions, please see http://mackerron.com/gridpointgb/ Please note: this app works ONLY in Britain (i.e. England, Scotland or Wales). It does not operate in other parts of the UK or British Isles and cannot provide coordinates in Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland, since a different coordinate system is used.

About

what3words

This app assigns a unique three-word address to every 10-foot square on Earth. Easily find, share, and navigate to precise locations worldwide using simple word combinations. It's ideal for pinpointing exact meeting spots, deliveries, or even emergency services.

Highlights
  • Navigate using three-word addresses
  • Share precise locations
  • Find current address offline
  • Compatible with navigation apps
  • Save and categorize favorite locations
  • Offline navigation with compass mode
  • Supports over 60 languages
Features
Read full description

what3words is an easy way to identify precise locations. Every 10 foot square has been given a unique combination of three words: a what3words address. Now you can find, share and navigate to precise locations using three simple words. Use what3words to: - Find your way anywhere in the world using just three words - Plan exact meet-up locations - Help people find your apartment, business or Airbnb - Always find your way back to your parking space - Save key locations, from incident reporting to delivery entrances - Save your favorite memorable spots – a sunset, a waterfall, proposal location - Guide people to accessible entrances - Help emergency services find you You can find what3words addresses in travel guides, website contact pages, invitations, travel booking confirmations and more – anywhere you would normally find location information. If you’re invited to a friend’s home, ask them to share their what3words address. Popular features: - Find your current what3words address offline - Compatible with navigation apps, including Apple Maps and Google Maps - Save your favourite locations, categorise and share them as lists - AutoSuggest prompts you with intelligent suggestions - Available in over 60 languages - Navigate offline with compass mode - Add a what3words address to a photo If you experience any problems or have any questions, email us at support@what3words.com EULA: https://what3words.com/terms

Screenshots

GridPoint GB4 screens
what3words4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: GridPoint GB at none against what3words's shown. GridPoint GB also leads on review sentiment (72% vs 56%) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.1). what3words's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 16 months) and chart position (#106 vs unranked). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. GridPoint GB sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and what3words sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.69 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

GridPoint GB ships an update every 16 months, what3words weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
GridPoint GB versus what3words: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGridPoint GBwhat3words
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.8 (44K ratings) — better
Positive reviews72.3% of reviews — better55.5% of reviews
Number of ratings—44K — better
Update frequencyEvery 16 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank—#106 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPod, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS12.0 — better16.1
Further details — not scored
Size23 MB315 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGeorge MacKerronwhat3words Ltd.

Customer experience

GridPoint GB

Written reviews65 reviews
Positive72.3%
Neutral1.5%
Negative26.2%

what3words

All ratings44,032 ratings
Positive95.3%
Neutral3.1%
Negative1.6%
Written reviews884 reviews
Positive55.5%
Neutral6.3%
Negative38.1%

Bugs and requests

GridPoint GB

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

what3words

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Location changes unexpectedly
  • App crashes on launch
  • Unable to select country/language

Requested features

6 requests
  • Add ability to sort/organize saved locations
  • Integrate with contacts/address book
  • Provide voice output for location names
  • Offer offline map downloads
  • Develop a version for seniors/accessibility
Show 1 more
  • Integrate with popular navigation apps

In-app purchases

3 purchases

GridPoint GB

One-time3
  • Magnificent tip$2.99
  • Majestic tip$4.99
  • Monumental tip$8.99
2 purchases

what3words

Subscriptions2
  • what3words Pro$4.691 Month
  • what3words Pro7 Days trial$39.991 Year

Questions

Is GridPoint GB free?
GridPoint GB is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is what3words free?
what3words is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do GridPoint GB or what3words have ads?
what3words shows ads; GridPoint GB does not.
Which is updated more often, GridPoint GB or what3words?
GridPoint GB ships an update every 16 months, and what3words weekly. Most recently, GridPoint GB was updated on October 23, 2026 and what3words on October 28, 2026.

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