Comparison

Avenza Maps vs what3words

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

Head to head
About

Avenza Maps

Navigate any terrain with offline GPS maps, even without cell service. Explore a vast Map Store for hiking, biking, and travel, or import your own custom maps. Record tracks, add notes, and identify your location precisely.

Highlights
  • Offline GPS navigation
  • Real-time GPS position and direction
  • Record GPS tracks
  • Add photos and notes to locations
  • Import custom maps
  • Map Store with professional maps
Features
Read full description

New Description: Avenza Maps is a powerful offline navigation app for professional field work. Use offline maps with GPS navigation to stay on track anywhere—no signal required, so you can navigate confidently with precise location awareness. Discover and download trail, topographic, land use, utility, nautical, and survey data from trusted publishers, or import your own maps. Avenza supports custom map import, letting you work with PDF maps, GeoPDF®, and GeoTIFF files for reliable navigation both on and off the grid. Explore trusted outdoor & professional data Access the largest mobile Map Stores featuring content from: National Geographic National Park Service US Forest Service (USFS) US Geological Survey (USGS) NOAA, FAA, BLM, and more Avenza is widely used by professionals worldwide for surveying, land management, environmental work, GIS field operations, and more. Make your own maps? Import your custom maps and never get lost off the grid. Maps are available for free or purchase from the in-app Map Store. Plus subscription is available for unlimited custom map imports. Pro subscription is available for professional users with full access to all features and mapping tools. ENHANCE YOUR MAPS WITH THESE FEATURES - Locate your realtime GPS position and find direction, even when offline - Record GPS tracks during your activities - Navigate to features using compass tools - Add photos and notes to any location - Add placemarks to your map and style them with recreational symbols - Measure distances and estimate times - Supports KML, GPX, and CSV Formats GET MORE WITH AVENZA MAPS PLUS For users who need more - Up to 20 custom PDF, GeoPDF®, and GeoTIFF imports - Create geofences for up to 50 individual features and up to four geofence layers GET EVEN MORE WITH AVENZA MAPS PRO For professionals and organizations who require an offline mapping solution with location awareness with more features and tools - Unlimited import of your own geospatial PDF, GeoPDF®, and GeoTIFF maps - GPS averaging, additional coordinate display formats, custom symbol sets - Connect high-accuracy GPS devices via Bluetooth - Created unlimited geofences and get global geofence notifications - Convert tracks to areas - Map orientation lock - Import and export Esri® Shapefiles - Import and manage custom symbology sets - Priority technical support Avenza Maps Pro subscription required for commercial, academic, government, and professional use. Avenza Maps Plus and Pro are available as annual subscriptions. You can subscribe and pay through your Apple ID. Subscriptions are 12 months in duration and will automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period at the rate of your selected plan. Auto-renewal can be turned off in your iTunes Account Settings. If you didn’t use iTunes to subscribe, you can manage your subscription through Avenza. SUPPORT We can help! Go to support.avenzamaps.com LEGAL Privacy Policy: avenzamaps.com/legal/privacy-policy.html Terms of Use: avenzamaps.com/legal/terms.html CONNECT WITH US avenzamaps.com facebook.com/avenzamaps twitter.com/avenzamaps instagram.com/avenzamaps

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

Avenza Maps4 screens
what3words4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Avenza Maps at none against what3words's shown. Avenza Maps also leads on chart position (#18 vs #79). what3words's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (16.1 vs 18.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume 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. Avenza Maps sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $34.99 per year 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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Avenza Maps against 4.8 for what3words. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 128K and 44K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 51% of Avenza Maps's written reviews are positive against 55% of what3words's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Avenza Maps ships an update every 2 months, what3words weekly. Both last shipped on November 6, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Avenza Maps versus what3words: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAvenza Mapswhat3words
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (128K ratings)4.8 (44K ratings) — better
Positive reviews51.2% of reviews55.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings128K — better44K
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#18 — better#79
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS18.016.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size335 MB315 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAvenza Systems Inc.what3words Ltd.

Customer experience

Avenza Maps

All ratings128,071 ratings
Positive96.4%
Neutral2.9%
Negative0.8%
Written reviews890 reviews
Positive51.2%
Neutral6.7%
Negative42.0%

what3words

All ratings44,032 ratings
Positive95.3%
Neutral3.1%
Negative1.6%
Written reviews894 reviews
Positive55.5%
Neutral6.3%
Negative38.3%

User reviews

Avenza Maps

From 128K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Easy to use
  • 🗺️ Accurate GPS tracking
  • 📥 Offline maps
  • 💾 Ability to download maps
  • 🗺️ Detailed topographic maps

Room to improve

  • 🔍 Poor search functionality
  • 🗺️ Inaccurate map placement
  • 💰 Expensive maps
  • 🔋 Battery drain
  • 🤔 Confusing interface

what3words

From 44K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Accurate location tracking
  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 🚑 Potentially life-saving in emergencies
  • 🗺️ Precise location sharing
  • 🤝 Helpful for meeting up with friends/family

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Inconsistent location accuracy
  • 🤔 Confusing/not well-explained
  • 📱 Requires data/cellular connectivity
  • 🗺️ Outdated map data
  • 🔍 Difficult to find/search saved locations

Bugs and requests

Avenza Maps

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Maps disappearing after updates
  • Airdrop functionality issues
  • Compatibility problems with newer devices

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to stitch/overlay multiple maps
  • Apple CarPlay integration
  • Improved map search and discovery
  • Easier map management and organization
  • Ability to export/share recorded tracks

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

10 purchases

Avenza Maps

Subscriptions2
  • Avenza Maps Plus1 Month trial$34.991 Year
  • Avenza Maps Pro1 Month trial$169.991 Year
One-time8
  • Forest Service Topo Product$0.99
  • Garmin Tier 1$0.99
  • BaseImage, LLC Map Product$0.99
Show 5 more
  • Western Michigan University Map Product$2.99
  • US Forest Service R5 Map Product$4.99
  • US Forest Service R6 Product$4.99
  • Map the Xperience Map Product$4.99
  • National Geographic Map Product$11.99
2 purchases

what3words

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

Questions

Is Avenza Maps free?
Avenza Maps is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is what3words free?
what3words is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Avenza Maps or what3words?
what3words is rated higher. Avenza Maps averages 4.8 out of 5 from 128K ratings, while what3words averages 4.8 from 44K ratings.
Do Avenza Maps or what3words have ads?
what3words shows ads; Avenza Maps does not.
Which is updated more often, Avenza Maps or what3words?
Avenza Maps ships an update every 2 months, and what3words weekly. Most recently, Avenza Maps was updated on November 6, 2026 and what3words on November 6, 2026.
Which is more popular, Avenza Maps or what3words?
Avenza Maps currently peaks at #18 in the App Store charts, and what3words at #79. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

Other comparisons