FreeGeoIP vs What3Words
Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.
FreeGeoIP vs What3Words: common questions
Which is more reliable, FreeGeoIP or What3Words?
On our scheduled checks, What3Words leads on measured uptime — FreeGeoIP at 96.1% versus What3Words at 100% over 90 days. These are our own probe results, not provider claims; the uptime bars above show the day-by-day record for both.
Which is faster, FreeGeoIP or What3Words?
FreeGeoIP has the lower median latency in our checks — FreeGeoIP responds in 242 ms versus What3Words at 391 ms (P50). Tail latency (P95) is in the table above; for most workloads the median is the number that shapes how the API feels.
Do FreeGeoIP and What3Words need an API key?
FreeGeoIP needs no key, while What3Words requires a free API key. If you want to start calling without signup, reach for FreeGeoIP first.
Can I call FreeGeoIP and What3Words from the browser?
Only FreeGeoIP is browser-friendly — it returns CORS headers over HTTPS. What3Words needs a server-side call or proxy, so factor that into which one fits a front-end project.
Are FreeGeoIP and What3Words free for commercial use?
FreeGeoIP has unclear commercial terms, and What3Words has unclear commercial terms. We track service terms and the data license as separate fields — see the Commercial use and Data license rows above, and confirm both before shipping either in a paid product.