ArcGIS vs what3words

Struggling to choose between ArcGIS and what3words? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

ArcGIS is a Business & Commerce solution with tags like gis, maps, geographic-data, geolocation.

It boasts features such as Desktop GIS for creating and analyzing maps, ArcGIS Pro for advanced 2D and 3D mapping and analysis, ArcGIS Online for web-based mapping and analysis, ArcGIS Enterprise for hosting and sharing GIS services, ArcGIS API for JavaScript for web mapping, ArcGIS Runtime SDKs for building native apps, ArcGIS Spatial Analyst for advanced raster analysis, ArcGIS 3D Analyst for 3D visualization and analysis and pros including Powerful and versatile GIS capabilities, Industry-leading mapping and analytics, Scales from desktop to enterprise deployments, Integrates well with other Esri products, Large user community and resources.

On the other hand, what3words is a Travel & Location product tagged with geocoding, mapping, location, coordinates, navigation.

Its standout features include Divides the world into 3m x 3m squares and assigns each a unique 3 word address, Allows people to identify and share precise locations using just 3 words, Available as a mobile app and online map interface, Supports voice input for addresses, Provides APIs for integration into other apps and services, and it shines with pros like Easy to remember and share location addresses, More precise than street addresses, Works offline, Wide language support, Free for consumers.

To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison of these two products, delving into their features, pros, cons, pricing, and more. Get ready to explore the nuances that set them apart and determine which one is the perfect fit for your requirements.

ArcGIS

ArcGIS

ArcGIS is a geographic information system (GIS) for working with maps and geographic information. It allows you to create, analyze, store, and share geographic data and maps.

Categories:
gis maps geographic-data geolocation

ArcGIS Features

  1. Desktop GIS for creating and analyzing maps
  2. ArcGIS Pro for advanced 2D and 3D mapping and analysis
  3. ArcGIS Online for web-based mapping and analysis
  4. ArcGIS Enterprise for hosting and sharing GIS services
  5. ArcGIS API for JavaScript for web mapping
  6. ArcGIS Runtime SDKs for building native apps
  7. ArcGIS Spatial Analyst for advanced raster analysis
  8. ArcGIS 3D Analyst for 3D visualization and analysis

Pricing

  • Subscription-Based
  • Pay-As-You-Go

Pros

Powerful and versatile GIS capabilities

Industry-leading mapping and analytics

Scales from desktop to enterprise deployments

Integrates well with other Esri products

Large user community and resources

Cons

Can be complex for new users

Requires proprietary software and formats

Expensive licensing model

Steep learning curve for advanced features


what3words

what3words

what3words is a geocoding system that divides the world into 3 meter squares and assigns each square a unique 3 word address. It allows people to easily share their precise location.

Categories:
geocoding mapping location coordinates navigation

What3words Features

  1. Divides the world into 3m x 3m squares and assigns each a unique 3 word address
  2. Allows people to identify and share precise locations using just 3 words
  3. Available as a mobile app and online map interface
  4. Supports voice input for addresses
  5. Provides APIs for integration into other apps and services

Pricing

  • Free
  • Freemium
  • Subscription-Based

Pros

Easy to remember and share location addresses

More precise than street addresses

Works offline

Wide language support

Free for consumers

Cons

Requires app download or web access

Limited adoption so far

Addresses can change over time

Paid APIs for commercial use

Limited to predefined 3 word dictionary