Compass vs Compass Direction
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Compass
This app displays your current latitude, longitude, and elevation. It also allows you to lock your current heading and provides a visual indicator to help you stay on course.
- Displays latitude and longitude
- Shows current elevation
- Lock current heading
- On-course indicator
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Find compass directions, see your latitude, longitude, and elevation, all with Compass from Apple. Features • See the latitude and longitude of your current location. • Tap the screen to lock in the current heading, then watch for a red band to see if you’re on course.
Compass Direction
This app provides accurate compass headings and directions with a real-time GPS map. Easily switch between map and camera views, and access features like altitude, speed, and a torch. Enjoy a beautiful and intuitive interface with haptic feedback and accessibility support.
- Accurate compass headings and directions
- Real-time GPS map with zoom
- Altitude, latitude, and longitude display
- Speedometer
- Integrated torch
- Switch between map and camera view
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AS FEATURED ON: TechRadar and more. Compass Direction - Digital is an easy to use compass app which allows you to find accurate compass headings and directions along with a realtime GPS map. Switch between the map and the view by holding the device up! WHY YOU’LL LOVE COMPASS DIRECTION - DIGITAL: The app allows you to use a digital compass - and it looks beautiful whilst doing so! NOTABLE FEATURES: • The app includes heading, direction, altitude, latitude, longitude, speedometer, and a torch • Switch between map types by tapping the screen and pinch to zoom in/out • Switch between the map and view by holding the device up • Accurate realtime compass direction and heading • Realtime GPS coordinates • Simple and beautiful user interface • Small haptics when interacting, improving the overall experience • VoiceOver support • 3D Touch GET IN TOUCH: If you have any questions or feedback, I'm all ears. Compass Direction - Digital was created by an individual in his free time, and I’d love to know what you think. I’m available through Twitter @elohohel. Terms of Use (EULA) - https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Compass Direction at 4.6 against Compass's 3.3. Compass Direction also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs every 8 months) and review sentiment (34% vs 22%). Compass's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 9) and ads (none vs shown). On price, ratings volume and device support 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
Both are free to download. Compass Direction sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Compass asks for nothing beyond the download.
Compass Direction holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2.2K and 2.7K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 22% of Compass's written reviews are positive against 34% of Compass Direction's.
Compass ships an update every 8 months, Compass Direction every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Compass | Compass Direction |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.3 (2.2K ratings) | 4.6 (2.7K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 22.1% of reviews | 34.5% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 2.2K | 2.7K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 8 months | Every 3 days — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 10.0 — better | 14.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 20 MB | 4 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Apple | Rihab Mehboob |
Customer experience
Compass
Compass Direction
User reviews
Compass
From 2.2K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- ⭐ Simple and effective
- 🗺️ Provides location and elevation data
- 💯 Saved a life in an emergency
- 🤖 Helpful for kids and the directionally challenged
Room to improve
- 🧭 Inaccurate compass readings
- 🔁 Inconsistent and unreliable direction
- 🔒 Locked on north direction
- 🚫 Completely non-functional
Compass Direction
From 2.7K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Great app
- 🚀 Accurate and easy to use
- 💡 Useful for specific use cases
- 👍 Visually appealing
Room to improve
- 🐛 Inaccurate compass direction
- 🔒 Requires subscription to use
- 🔒 No free trial
- 🐛 Doesn't work as expected
- 🔒 Forces users to subscribe
Bugs and requests
Compass
Reported bugs
4 issues- Compass frozen or stuck on one direction
- Compass showing opposite direction
- Elevation and location data not working
- Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
Requested features
4 requests- Ability to switch between magnetic and true north
- Integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch
- Option to display coordinates in decimal degrees
- Customizable compass face with cardinal directions
Compass Direction
Reported bugs
4 issues- Compass always showing wrong directions
- App freezes or becomes non-functional
- Restore purchase feature not working
- App crashing or not loading properly
Requested features
4 requests- Ability to calibrate the compass
- Option to purchase a one-time fee instead of subscription
- Offline map support
- Ability to set waypoints and get directions
In-app purchases
Compass
No in-app purchases
Compass Direction
- Compass 1 Week$3.997 Days
- Compass 1 Week$4.997 Days
- Compass 1 Month3 Days trial$5.991 Month
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- Compass 1 Month$9.991 Month
- Compass 1 Year3 Days trial$24.991 Year
- Compass 6 Months$29.996 Months
- Compass 1 Year3 Days trial$39.991 Year
- Compass Lifetime$69.99
- Compass Lifetime$99.99
Questions
Is Compass free?
Is Compass Direction free?
Which has better reviews, Compass or Compass Direction?
Do Compass or Compass Direction have ads?
Which is updated more often, Compass or Compass Direction?
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