Comparison

what3words vs Area31

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

Head to head
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

About

Area31

Features
Read full description

Tell us if you see a UAP; we are lost too. UAP is a real-time community safety app built to help neighborhoods stay informed about nearby paranormal activity. Receive alerts. Share sightings. Stay aware without giving up your privacy. With communities across the U.S. and Canada and growing, Area31 makes it easy to see where UAPs have been spotted and notify others nearby in seconds. Real-Time Alerts • Get notified when a UAP is reported near you • See sightings from the past 24 hours • View historical UAP activity on an interactive map • Get Google Maps directions to a reported sighting Share Sightings Instantly • Post UAP sightings in seconds • Choose your map pin color • Add time and activity details Privacy First Your location is never shared. Only the UAP’s location appears on the map. You choose your display name. Post anonymously if you prefer. Safety is our mission. Customize Your Experience • Choose your app color • Choose your app icon • Personalize how you report sightings Upgrade to Pro For serious UAP watchers. • Ad-free experience • Expanded custom alert radius across the U.S. & Canada • Advanced filtering options • Verified UAP badge displayed on your sightings • Early access to new features Community Plans Available (please contact info@area31.com)

Screenshots

what3words4 screens
Area314 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Area31 at none against what3words's 2. Area31 also leads on ads (none vs shown). what3words's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months) and chart position (#101 vs unranked). On price, device support and iOS requirement 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. what3words sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.69 per month. Area31 asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

what3words ships an update weekly, Area31 every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
what3words versus Area31: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameterwhat3wordsArea31
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (44K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews55.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings44K — better—
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
Best chart rank#101 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.1 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size315 MB247 MB
Age rating4+17+
Developerwhat3words Ltd.Pad31 LLC.

Bugs and 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

Area31

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

what3words

Subscriptions2
  • what3words Pro$4.691 Month
  • what3words Pro7 Days trial$39.991 Year
None

Area31

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is what3words free?
what3words is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Area31 free?
Area31 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do what3words or Area31 have ads?
what3words shows ads; Area31 does not.
Which is updated more often, what3words or Area31?
what3words ships an update weekly, and Area31 every 2 months. Most recently, what3words was updated on October 30, 2026 and Area31 on October 25, 2026.

Other comparisons