# what3words vs Area31

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.

Both are free to download. what3words sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.69 per month. Area31 asks for nothing beyond the download.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | what3words | Area31 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (44K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/what3words-navigation-and-maps/id657878530/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **44K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 55.5% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Best chart rank | **#101** | — |
| Size | 315 MB | 247 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.1** | 16.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [what3words Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/657878533) | [Pad31 LLC.](https://appshunter.io/developer/983927518) |

## What reviewers say

### what3words

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/what3words-navigation-and-maps/id657878530)

**Currently charting:** #101 Top Grossing · Navigation, #133 Top Free · Navigation (US App Store)

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:** Apple Watch app, iMessage stickers, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| what3words Pro | $4.69 | per month |
| what3words Pro | $39.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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- 🗺️ Outdated map data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

**Reported bugs**

- Location changes unexpectedly
- App crashes on launch
- Unable to select country/language

**Requested features**

- 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


### Area31

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/area31/id6468070541)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked 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.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*